LAD #7: Washington's Farewell Address

Summary of:
Washington's Farewell Address 1796

Washington wrote his Farewell Address while his final term was coming to a close and thought it was only decent to give the people of the United States a proper farewell. He thought it was necessary for him to step down at the time, but also included that he was grateful for the kindness he had been offered and said that there had been no negative influences forcing him to leave his title. Washington stated that he had already been preparing his Farewell Address before he was elected to a second term, but decided against it when the problems of foreign affairs had been brought up at the time. In his address, he also asks that the American citizens not to disapprove of his decision to retire.

He wrote that as President his intentions had only been for good, administering the government as best he could, yet after years of working in the government and the people, Washington had begun to welcome the idea of retirement, pleased with what had improved in the nation during his terms. Washington wanted the public to know that nothing much would have been accomplished had it not been for their continued support even among chaos and changing times in the country. The Constitution is all but in the hands of the people and will be taken care of by them and the government bodies, he said. Unity was now important to the country, and liberty should be a given. However, measures must be taken and undergone to maintain this and overcome difficulties.

Washington said that the Americans, while differing in degrees, had a common cause and principles, and will most often had the pride of patriotism embedded within them, even though some convicts are sometimes overshadowed by the idea for self-gain and interest. He brings up the notion that the states will have to work with one another, and will benefit as a whole because of this whether from merely goods or services or from deeper principles gained from unity. Washington wrote that "In this sense it is that your union ought to be considered as a main prop of your liberty, and that the love of the one ought to endear to you the preservation of the other," to further support that idea.

He does warn against some of the power of factions as well, claiming that they often turn out to be their own worst enemy, and that there may or may not be hostilities when one faction gains more ground than another. Washington urges that citizens in a free country take caution when electing others into higher roles in the administration of the government, as they ought to be aware of who in fact they are granting power to, while also making sure that one 'department' of the government has not hindered the power another. If one of these branches is deemed 'in the wrong', they may be amended in any way seen fit by the Constitution within reason. Washington offers the idea that the government is also partly in the hands of the very people it governs, thus making it a democracy.

Most of George Washington's Farewell Address was at first offering gratitude for the support he gained while serving as the United States first ever President, yet once he began writing after that, he went on to elaborate on the key aspects of America's new government, saying that the free citizens had just as an important role as those directly involved in the government. He warns his people about foreign affairs, claiming that while it may be perfectly necessary to have commercial relations, political connections should be very few, and a system of neutrality may be a key policy to use. Washington acknowledges that he has made errors, though not intentionally, yet asks that his people and nation not hold these mistakes against him.

George Washington had nothing but pride for his country and his citizens at the end of his Presidency and the beginning of his retirement, wanting them to forever enjoy life under a government by the people and for the people, finally acquired after years of their suffering.