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Against the insidious wiles of foreign influence (I conjure you to believe me, fellow-citizens) the jealousy of a free people ought to be constantly awake, since history and experience prove that foreign influence is one of the most baneful foes of republican government. But that jealousy to be useful must be impartial; else it becomes the instrument of the very influence to be avoided, instead of a defense against it. Excessive partiality for one foreign nation and excessive dislike of another cause those whom they actuate to see danger only on one side, and serve to veil and even second the arts of influence on the other. Real patriots who may resist the intrigues of the favorite are liable to become suspected and odious, while its tools and dupes usurp the applause and confidence of the people, to surrender their interests.

Against the insidious wiles of foreign influence (I conjure you to believe me, fellow-citizens) the jealousy of a free people ought to be constantly awake, since history and experience prove that foreign influence is one of the most baneful foes of republican government. But that jealousy to be useful must be impartial; else it becomes the instrument of the very influence to be avoided, instead of a defense against it. Excessive partiality for one foreign nation and excessive dislike of another cause those whom they actuate to see danger only on one side, and serve to veil and even second the arts of influence on the other. Real patriots who may resist the intrigues of the favorite are liable to become suspected and odious, while its tools and dupes usurp the applause and confidence of the people, to surrender their interests.

The great rule of conduct for us in regard to foreign nations is in extending our commercial relations, to have with them as little political connection as possible. So far as we have already formed engagements, let them be fulfilled with perfect good faith. Here let us stop. Europe has a set of primary interests which to us have none; or a very remote relation. Hence she must be engaged in frequent controversies, the causes of which are essentially foreign to our concerns. Hence, therefore, it must be unwise in us to implicate ourselves by artificial ties in the ordinary vicissitudes of her politics, or the ordinary combinations and collisions of her friendships or enmities.<ref>[http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/washing.asp Washington's Farewell Address 1796]. ''The Avalon Project -- Yale Law School''. Retrieved November 27, 2017.</ref><ref>[https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/GPO-CDOC-106sdoc21/pdf/GPO-CDOC-106sdoc21.pdf Washington's Farewell Address]. ''Government Publishing Office''. Retrieved November 27, 2017.</ref>}}

The great rule of conduct for us in regard to foreign nations is in extending our commercial relations, to have with them as little political connection as possible. So far as we have already formed engagements, let them be fulfilled with perfect good faith. Here let us stop. Europe has a set of primary interests which to us have none; or a very remote relation. Hence she must be engaged in frequent controversies, the causes of which are essentially foreign to our concerns. Hence, therefore, it must be unwise in us to implicate ourselves by artificial ties in the ordinary vicissitudes of her politics, or the ordinary combinations and collisions of her friendships or enmities.

 

 

Why forego the advantages of so peculiar a situation? Why quit our own to stand upon foreign ground? Why, by interweaving our destiny with that of any part of Europe, entangle our peace and prosperity in the toils of European ambition, rivalship, interest, humor or caprice?<ref>[http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/washing.asp Washington's Farewell Address 1796]. ''The Avalon Project -- Yale Law School''. Retrieved November 27, 2017.</ref><ref>[https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/GPO-CDOC-106sdoc21/pdf/GPO-CDOC-106sdoc21.pdf Washington's Farewell Address]. ''Government Publishing Office''. Retrieved November 27, 2017.</ref>}}

[[Conservative]]s and [[nationalist]]s continue to support national sovereignty and autonomy for the same reasons – because they are the equivalent of limited and accountable government.<ref name="Hayward2016">Hayward, John (June 17, 2016). [http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2016/06/17/anti-nationalism-end-sovereignty/ Progressives’ Hatred of Nationalism Pushes US Towards the End of Sovereignty]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved November 27, 2017.</ref> They note that with national sovereignty, the government is close to the people, who themselves are sovereign, and protects their rights.<ref name="Hayward2016"/> Nationalism itself is a positive concept, being closely associated with [[limited government]], [[individual liberty]], tolerance, and national cohesion.<ref name="Hazony2018"/> It recognizes the diversity in the world but avoids the enmity that results from having different cultures living under a single government.<ref name="Hazony2018">Hazony, Yoram (August 24, 2018). [https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-liberty-of-nations-1535120837 The Liberty of Nations]. ''The Wall Street Journal''. Retrieved August 25, 2018.</ref>

[[Conservative]]s and [[nationalist]]s continue to support national sovereignty and autonomy for the same reasons – because they are the equivalent of limited and accountable government.<ref name="Hayward2016">Hayward, John (June 17, 2016). [http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2016/06/17/anti-nationalism-end-sovereignty/ Progressives’ Hatred of Nationalism Pushes US Towards the End of Sovereignty]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved November 27, 2017.</ref> They note that with national sovereignty, the government is close to the people, who themselves are sovereign, and protects their rights.<ref name="Hayward2016"/> Nationalism itself is a positive concept, being closely associated with [[limited government]], [[individual liberty]], tolerance, and national cohesion.<ref name="Hazony2018"/> It recognizes the diversity in the world but avoids the enmity that results from having different cultures living under a single government.<ref name="Hazony2018">Hazony, Yoram (August 24, 2018). [https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-liberty-of-nations-1535120837 The Liberty of Nations]. ''The Wall Street Journal''. Retrieved August 25, 2018.</ref>