George Washington's Farewell Adress

George Washington’s Farewell Address: Enduring Warnings for the Republic

In 1783, following America's victory in the War for Independence, George Washington intended to retire. He made this known through a widely circulated document sent to each State Executive called the “Circular Letter to the States” (Kaminski et al., 1989b). Although his desire for retirement was clear, he was subsequently called by the Continental Congress to serve as the first President of the United States. At the conclusion of his first term, Washington again requested a draft of a farewell address from James Madison, but he reluctantly accepted a second term. Finally, at the end of his second term, Washington retrieved his original draft and commissioned Alexander Hamilton to rewrite it (Pruitt, 2020).

Considered by most as a crucial warning against actions detrimental to keeping the new nation together, Washington’s Farewell Address expressed his desire to retire and his foundational opinions about the nation's future.

Core Principles and Warnings

Importance of Unity and Partisanship

Washington stressed that national unity was the central pillar supporting real independence, domestic tranquility, peace abroad, safety, prosperity, and liberty. He stated: “The unity of Government, which constitutes you one people, is also now dear to you. It is justly so; for it is the main pillar in the edifice of your real independence...” (Hamilton, 2021). He believed liberty, peace, and prosperity depended on the people finding commonality above geographical and cultural differences.

Washington's most emphatic warning was against partisanship—the division into political parties and the elevation of party loyalty over national interest. He warned that such alliances could lead to despotism if a single person took advantage of the factionalism. Citizens might seek security and comfort by allowing the head of a political party to obtain too much power, thereby ruining liberty. This partisanship, he cautioned, would lead to foreign influence, corruption, animosity, riots, and insurrection.

Separation of Powers in Government

Washington warned that if one branch of government encroached on the authority of another, it would lead to the consolidation of power in one branch above the others. This concern remains relevant today, seen in the amount of power that Congress has delegated to the President and the Supreme Court's exercise of judicial review, which impacts both Congress and the Executive office. Washington believed it was human nature to seek power, and the country should remain wary of those who would seek to undermine the system of checks and balances.

Requirement of Religion, Education, and Morality

Washington argued that for political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports: “Of all the dispositions and habits, which lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports” (Hamilton, 2021). He questioned whether the nation could prevail morally if politicians did not respect religious principles, thereby failing to protect security, life, and liberty. Washington also urged the promotion of education by the government, believing that an enlightened citizenry would make better choices for the country.

National Debt

Conscious of the debt incurred during the War for Independence, Washington emphasized the necessity of paying that debt and avoiding the habitual incurrence of more debt. If the nation did incur more debt through wars or other means, it should be paid quickly. The U.S. has since largely ignored this advice, consistently maintaining and increasing debt. Washington believed that the country should always maintain good credit to allow the nation to remain self-sufficient.

References

Kaminski, J. P., McCaughan, J. A., & Higginbotham, D. R. (1989b). A Great and Good Man: George Washington in the Eyes of His Contemporaries [E-book]. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.

Pruitt, S. (2020, April 20). George Washington Warned Against Political Infighting in His Farewell Address. HISTORY. https://www.history.com/news/george-washington-farewell-address-warnings

Hamilton, A. (2021). George Washington’s Farewell Address Annotated. Independently published.