George Washington Farewell Address Analysis

From the early beginnings of America to this day, George Washington’s Farewell

Address has been considered to be one of the most illustrious documents produced in the

history of the nation.  Shortly after its 1796 publication in a Philadelphia newspaper, it was

reprinted by countless other newspapers across America and was also distributed in pamphlets. The Senate commemorates the Farewell Address by reading it annually near the same time of the year as its original publication. The article, “Washington’s Farewell Address”, written by The Heritage Foundation, describes the influence of Washington’s statements by saying, “the Farewell Address constitutes the central statement of the American purpose.” (n.d.)  This analysis will cover the outstanding points of the document and attempt to capture a portion of Washington’s vision for the young nation of America at this uncertain time.

The Farewell Address was never actually delivered orally by George Washington, but

was only released in printed form.  It was first drafted in 1792 by James Madison after

Washington’s first term in preparation for Washington’s initial yet ultimately unsuccessful

attempt at retirement.  The draft was then set aside until the close of his second term, when

Washington worked in conjunction with Alexander Hamilton to complete the drafting process.

 Washington opens his Address by formally declining to serve a third term, in which he

states, “while choice and prudence invite me to quit the political scene, patriotism does not

forbid it.”  Only eight years after the ratification of the constitution, American citizens were

apprehensive about the absence of his strong presidential leadership.  Washington realized this and seized the moment to address the prominent issues and concerns of the day, while adding in warnings for the nation’s future.

            After stating the fact that he will not be running for re-election and does not feel that it is

his duty to serve a third term, Washington accentuates the importance of the union.  In the

address he claims that the union 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.”  He warns against the tendency of sectionalism, and

expresses the benefits of unity among the states.  Some of these benefits include shared and

therefore greater amounts of resources, and better protection due to the fact that the states do not have to protect themselves from each other.  This eliminates the need for “overgrown military establishments which, under any form of government, are inauspicious to liberty.”

            When closing his thoughts about the Union, Washington speaks about the importance of adhering to the Constitution.  He states, “the Constitution which at any time exists, till changed by an explicit and authentic act of the whole people, is sacredly obligatory upon all.”  The importance of this statement lies in the fact that though Washington was a staunch proponent of the Federal Government, it was to be exclusively within the limits of the Constitution.

The second major point in the Farewell Address is Washington’s concern about factions, which are better known today as party systems.  He goes as far as to say that “the common and continual mischiefs of the spirit of party are sufficient to make it the interest and duty of a wise people to discourage and restrain it.” Washington believed that factions would, among other things, cause the citizens of America to put their faith in an individual’s absolute power, which in turn would lead to that person’s rise to monarchy and the demise of liberty.

            Another of Washington’s primary concerns is that religion and morality stay in the hearts

of the people of America.  He blatantly says that, “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead

to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports.”  Washington

recognized not only that God is the giver of life and liberty but also that rationality alone was not

enough to support the governmental system which he had invested so much of his life into. 

Washington then expressed his severe doubts that morality could survive without religion, saying that “reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in

exclusion of religious principle.” 

            After his statements on religion Washington notes the importance of preserving and even to “cherish” public credit.  He believed that during foreign relations, prevention and cultivating peace was the key to not spending large amounts of money on wars that could have been avoided.  After admonishing future political leaders to avoid being overcome by debt, he speaks to the public by saying that they must not be shortsighted and to consider the current challenges the government is facing when it raises taxes. 

On the final issue that Washington focuses on, the tone shifts from internal government

to foreign relations. He begins by giving a general statement about relationships with

other countries, advising America’s leaders to “Observe good faith and justice towards all

nations; cultivate peace and harmony with all.” Then moving into more specific guidelines,

Washington asserts that permanent alliances and partiality shown to nations have many negative and costly consequences. He advocates a more neutral stance for America, in which temporary alliances are appropriate only under  circumstances of  “extraordinary emergencies”, and commercial relations with other countries are to have “as little political connection as possible.”

Washington concludes his address by acknowledging that he may have made mistakes in his administration, and asks God to “avert or mitigate the evils to which they may tend.”  He then expresses his joy in finally being able to retire and enjoy the reward of the “mutual cares, labors, and dangers” which he had experienced in his 45 years of service to America.

            George Washington’s genuine devotement and concern for America shines through his

Farewell Address as a magnificent example of true patriotism.  As any person reads it, the

sincere humility that Washington shows only raises the level of respect the reader has for him. 

America would do well to consider the worth of Washington’s statements now and in the future.

References

Washington’s Farewell Address (n.d.) retrieved from: http://www.heritage.org/initiatives/first-principles/primary-sources/washingtons-farewell-address

Washington, G.W. (1796) George Washington Farewell Address