His life from youth to old age was one unbroken harmony of mind, affections, principles, and manners.
His kinsman says of him, “He had no frays in boyhood. He had no quarrels or outbreakings in manhood. He was the composer of strifes. He spoke ill of no man. He meddled not with their affairs. He viewed their worst deeds through the medium of charity.”
Another of his intimate personal friends has said of him, “In private life he was upright and scrupulously just in all his transactions. His friendships were ardent, sincere, and constant, his charity and benevolence unbounded. Magnanimous and forgiving, he never bore malice. Religious from sentiment and reflection, he was a Christian, believed in the Gospel, and practiced its tenets.”
Horace Binney (Condensed)
WHAT OF THE CONSTITUTION?
The Unity of Government, which constitutes you One People, is also now dear to you.
It is justly so; for it is a main pillar in the edifice of your real Independence, the support of your tranquility at home, your peace abroad; of your safety; of your prosperity; of that very Liberty, which you so highly prize. ...
To the efficacy and permanency of your Union, a Government for the whole is indispensable.
Washington, from his Farewell Address
To me it is a marvel that the Constitution of the United States has operated so successfully.... But the United States is a singular example of political virtue and moral rectitude.