“To the President of the United States: May the day that gave him birth mark an epoch in the annals of liberty!
“To the French Republic: May she triumph over her enemies and obtain the tranquillity of peace founded upon justice and reason!
“To the memory of the heroes of all nations who have gloriously fallen for the defense of the rights of man!”
Friends and allies of France have changed during the tumultuous years, but, republic to republic, France and the United States still pledge fealty to liberty, justice and reason and do honor to the heroic defenders of the rights of man among all nations.
[CHAPTER XV]
THE PEACE OF HOME AT LAST
I. SORROW FOR THE DEPARTED SCENES AROUND MOUNT VERNON
At the close of his term of office, March 4, 1797, Washington retired to his home at Mount Vernon loved by all the understanding world.