George Says Farewell
Yesterday (September 19th) was the 204th anniversary of the publication of George Washington's Farewell Address. It was written to "The People of the United States" near the end of his second term as President of the United States and before his retirement to Mount Vernon.
Originally published in David Claypoole's American Daily Advertiser on September 19, 1796 under the title "The Address of General Washington To The People of The United States on his declining of the Presidency of the United States," the letter was almost immediately reprinted in newspapers across the country and later in a pamphlet form. This was Washington's valedictory after 45 years of service to the new republic, first during the Revolution of the Continental Army and later as the nation's first president.
The letter was originally prepared in 1792 with the help of James Madison, as Washington prepared to retire following a single term in office. However, he set aside the letter and ran for a second term after his Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton, and his Secretary of State, Thomas Jefferson, convinced him that the growing divisions between the newly formed Federalist and Democratic-Republican parties, along with the current state of foreign affairs, would tear the country apart in the absence of his leadership.
Four years later, as his second term came to a close, Washington revisited the letter and with the help of Alexander Hamilton prepared a revision of the original draft to announce his intention to decline a third term in office; to reflect the emerging issues of the American political landscape in 1796; and to parting advice to his fellow Americans.
Here is an outline of the subjects covered in the address:
PARAGRAPH TOPIC
1–7 Impending Retirement From Public Life
8–15 The Importance of Unity, and The Danger of Sectionalism
16–19 The Authority of The Constitution, The Threat of Political Factions, and The Danger of Constitutional Amendments Designed to Weaken The Government.
20–25 Danger of Political Parties
26 The Importance of The Constitution's System of Checks and Balances, Separation of Powers, and Constitutional Amendments
27–29 Religion, Morality, and Education
30 The Importance of Credit, and The Sparing Use of Government Borrowing
31–42 Foreign Relations, The Dangers of Permanent Foreign Alliances, and Free Trade
43–44 Washington's Intentions In Writing This Letter
45–49 Defense of The Proclamation of Neutrality
50–51 Closing Thoughts
Each of these are worthy of a blog entry in and of themselves. My favourite is his warning of the danger of political parties, something well in evidence today. The address also underscores the diversity of this amazing man. He was a courageous and brilliant general and tactician, a wise and unifying leader and a tower of strength living in a time when all of these qualities were in great demand.
Originally published in David Claypoole's American Daily Advertiser on September 19, 1796 under the title "The Address of General Washington To The People of The United States on his declining of the Presidency of the United States," the letter was almost immediately reprinted in newspapers across the country and later in a pamphlet form. This was Washington's valedictory after 45 years of service to the new republic, first during the Revolution of the Continental Army and later as the nation's first president.
The letter was originally prepared in 1792 with the help of James Madison, as Washington prepared to retire following a single term in office. However, he set aside the letter and ran for a second term after his Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton, and his Secretary of State, Thomas Jefferson, convinced him that the growing divisions between the newly formed Federalist and Democratic-Republican parties, along with the current state of foreign affairs, would tear the country apart in the absence of his leadership.
Four years later, as his second term came to a close, Washington revisited the letter and with the help of Alexander Hamilton prepared a revision of the original draft to announce his intention to decline a third term in office; to reflect the emerging issues of the American political landscape in 1796; and to parting advice to his fellow Americans.
Here is an outline of the subjects covered in the address:
PARAGRAPH TOPIC
1–7 Impending Retirement From Public Life
8–15 The Importance of Unity, and The Danger of Sectionalism
16–19 The Authority of The Constitution, The Threat of Political Factions, and The Danger of Constitutional Amendments Designed to Weaken The Government.
20–25 Danger of Political Parties
26 The Importance of The Constitution's System of Checks and Balances, Separation of Powers, and Constitutional Amendments
27–29 Religion, Morality, and Education
30 The Importance of Credit, and The Sparing Use of Government Borrowing
31–42 Foreign Relations, The Dangers of Permanent Foreign Alliances, and Free Trade
43–44 Washington's Intentions In Writing This Letter
45–49 Defense of The Proclamation of Neutrality
50–51 Closing Thoughts
Each of these are worthy of a blog entry in and of themselves. My favourite is his warning of the danger of political parties, something well in evidence today. The address also underscores the diversity of this amazing man. He was a courageous and brilliant general and tactician, a wise and unifying leader and a tower of strength living in a time when all of these qualities were in great demand.