The Farewell Address of George Washington is both a personal and a political statement. First, Washington gets through the main point of the farewell address: telling people that he's taking himself out of the option pool for president in the upcoming election period. In early 1796, President George Washington decided not to seek reelection for a third term and began drafting this farewell address to the American people. George Washington’s Farewell Address, the final address given to the American people by George Washington, was important when it was published in a newspaper in 1796 and remains an iconic piece of American history today. Washington uses asides, or breaks in the narration designed to make it feel as though he is speaking more directly to readers, throughout his Farewell Address. This within certain limits is probably true; and in governments of a monarchical cast, patriotism may look with indulgence, if not with favor, upon the spirit of party. George Washington's Farewell address, delivered on September 19, 1796, remains a a towering statement of American political purpose. The address went through numerous drafts, in large part due to suggestions made by Alexander Hamilton. Sensible of this momentous truth, you have improved upon your first essay, by the adoption of a constitution of government better calculated than your former for an intimate union, and for the efficacious management of your common concerns. How far in the discharge of my official duties I have been guided by the principles which have been delineated, the public records and other evidences of my conduct must witness to you and to the world. This may be costly but will pay off in the long run as providence blesses high moral standards. Summary of the Address. The support managers undergo What Did Washington Say In His Farewell Address One Paragraph Essay Two Evidence scenario-based training before day one on the job. I have already intimated to you the danger of parties in the State, with particular reference to the founding of them on geographical discriminations. The 32-page, over 6,000-word handwritten address was printed in Philadelphia’s American Daily Advertiser. Steer clear as much as possible from permanent alliances with foreign powers, although temporary alliances for defense in extraordinary emergencies are acceptable. You'll find that I've tried to keep the same structure, beginning and ending each paragraph in unison with the original, for easy comparison. Mood and Tone Washington's Farewell Address Though the framers had not written provisions into the Constitution dealing with political parties, by the end of George Washington's second term, the issues of national government had divided the nation into two distinct and hostile factions: the Federalists and the Republicans. Summary of Washington's Farewell Address Washington begins the address by stating that the next presidential election is approaching and he will not be seeking re-election… I have unswervingly remained neutral in the current war in Europe as I proclaimed in April, 1793 in spite of efforts to change my mind. The necessity of reciprocal checks in the exercise of political power, by dividing and distributing it into different depositaries, and constituting each the guardian of the public weal against invasions by the others, has been evinced by experiments ancient and modern; some of them in our country and under our own eyes. The Rules of Civility and Decent Behaviour in Company and Conversation. Harmony, liberal intercourse with all nations, are recommended by policy, humanity, and interest. Republicans (later Democratic-Republicans) led by Southerners like Thomas Jefferson and Madison, opposed Hamilton’s economic policies. In the spring of 1796, Washington found Madison’s draft, made some additions of his own, and turned it over to Hamilton, who ended up drafting his own version. In the 7,641-word document, the nation’s first president called for the American people to remain unified, resist the rise of political factions and avoid the influence of foreign powers. The peace often, sometimes perhaps the liberty, of nations, has been the victim. Respect for its authority, compliance with its laws, acquiescence in its measures, are duties enjoined by the fundamental maxims of true liberty. I am praying that God will avert any evil which may result from such errors. To the efficacy and permanency of your Union, a government for the whole is indispensable. (Paragraphs 1-7). Religion and morality enjoin this conduct; and can it be, that good policy does not equally enjoin it? In the execution of such a plan, nothing is more essential than that permanent, inveterate antipathies against particular nations, and passionate attachments for others, should be excluded; and that, in place of them, just and amicable feelings towards all should be cultivated. Some questions the speech addresses are what to do with nation after he leaves and what to do about foreign alliances. Unity was facilitated by America’s common religious, cultural and political values. If the Constitution cannot be overthrown, some will attempt to bring innovations to weaken the Constitution. This speech was written in the 1796, a time period defined by the American Revolution and inception of the United States, during the years where the U.S. was carving its place in the world. As a person reads Washington's farewell address what you see is a man reminding his countrymen to remain together, avoid political parties, and beware of enemies foreign and domestic to our Republic. Satisfied that if any circumstances have given peculiar value to my services, they were temporary, I have the consolation to believe that, while choice and prudence invite me to quit the political scene, patriotism does not forbid it. Based off all the elements in the speech this was appropriate for the occasion. Washington and Hamilton worked closely together on the address, which took the form of a public letter to the American people. As avenues to foreign influence in innumerable ways, such attachments are particularly alarming to the truly enlightened and independent patriot. A fire not to be quenched, it demands a uniform vigilance to prevent its bursting into a flame, lest, instead of warming, it should consume. George Washington's Farewell Address FRIENDS AND FELLOW-CITIZENS: The period for a new election of a citizen, to administer the executive government of the United States, being not far distant, and the time actually arrived, when your thoughts must be employed designating the person, who is to be clothed with that important trust, it appears to me proper, especially as it may conduce to a … In peace, debt should be paid off as quickly as possible. Who can doubt that, in the course of time and things, the fruits of such a plan would richly repay any temporary advantages which might be lost by a steady adherence to it ? Europe has a set of primary interests which to us have none; or a very remote relation. Let it simply be asked: Where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths which are the instruments of investigation in courts of justice ? Washington had led the fledgling nation through the American Revolution and the establishment of the United States as a country. In this case, he appeals to his own reputation as a trustworthy public figure as well as his status as a “fellow citizen” in … There I will share with you the benefits of good laws under our free government. Moral behavior is necessary for a free government. The Need for National Unity. Washington’s farewell address was rooted in the specific challenges he saw facing the United States at the time, including increasing internal divisions and the ongoing external threat of … What is it, who authored it, when, and for what purpose? The main reasons he identified for maintaining American unity included patriotism, the great benefits of each section supporting the others to share in the success of commerce, and the reduced need for an expensive army since civil war would then not be likely. But the Constitution which at any time exists, till changed by an explicit and authentic act of the whole people, is sacredly obligatory upon all. A foreign policy based on neutrality was the safest way to maintain national unity, and stability, in the United States. My countrymen, this friendly advice will likely not make the impact I wish given human nature and the usual course of nations. It is a well-known historical fact that George Washington, being the American President for the second time, had to solve many political conflicts, but he the same firmly adhered to the designated state policy of neutrality, which has contributed to the rise in economy and strengthened the country’s authority. The framers considered political parties to be self-serving factions that cultivated dissent and were ultimately detrimental to good government. Why forego the advantages of so peculiar a situation? Aww, shucks. But remember, to pay off debt, there must be taxes. 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