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Washington's Farewell Address
To announce his decision not to seek a third term as
President, George Washington presented his Farewell
Address in a newspaper article September 17 , L796.
Frustrated by French meddling in U.S. politics,
Washington warned the nation to avoid permanent
alliances with foreign nations and to rely instead on
temporary alliances for emergencies. Washington's efforts
to protect the fragile young republic by steering a neutral
course between England and France during the French.
Revolutionary Wars was made extremely difficult by the
intense rhetoric flowing from the pro-English Federalists, Ied by Alexander
Hamilton, and the pro-French, personified by Thomas Jefferson. In his
farewell address, Washington exhorted Americans to set aside their violent
likes and dislikes offoreign nations, lest they be controlled by their passions:
"The nation which indulges toward another an habitual hatred or an habitual
fondness is in some degree a slave." Washington's remarks have served as an
inspiration for American isolationism, and his advice against joining a
permanent alliance was heeded for more than a century and a half.
I. Retirement from of6ce.
A. He realizes people must be thinking about his replacement, therefore
he declines re-election.
B. He has thought it through, and feels like it is in everyone's best interest
for him to retire.
D. Now that everything is calm, he is persuaded that the people will not
disapprove ofthis "determination to retire."
II. Unity of Government.
A. The most commanding motive is to preserve the "union of the whole."
B. The North, South, East, and West all depend on each other.
C.
Unity leads to greater strength, resources, and security.
D. Unity will help "avoid the necessity of . . . overgrown military
establishments" and will be the main "prop of your liberty."
E.
It was unity that brought two valuable treaties:
l. with Greât Britain
2.
with Spain.
III. Spirit ofParty.
A. Parties are "potent engines" that men will use to take over the "reins of
government."
B. Washington warns against parties' "baneful effects":
1. leads to the absolute power of an
individual
2. "discourage and restrain" the spirit
ofparty
3. leads to "jealousies and false alarms"
4. "animosity of one
5. can lead to
part against another"
"riot and insurrection"
6. opens "door to foreign influence and corruption"
7.
"it is a spirit not to be encouraged."
IV. Religion and Morality.
A. Are "indispensable supports" for "political prosperity."
B. Are the "firmest props of the duties of Men and Country."
C. The oaths in our courts would be useless without ,,the sense of religious
obligation."
D. "And let us with caution indulge the supposition, that morality can be
maintained without religion."
E. "Reason and experience both forbid us to expect, that national morality
can prevail in exclusion of religious principle."
V. Debt.
A. "Avoid occâsions ofexpense by cultivating peace . . . ."
B. "Timely disbursements to prepare for danger" are better than "greater
disbursements to repel it."
C. Avoid debt:
in time of peace, pay off debts.
D. Public opinion should "cooperate" with their representatives to pay off
debt.
E. Some taxes are necessary even though "inconvenient and unpleasant."
VI. Foreign Policy.
A. We should exercise "good faith and justice towards all nations."
1. "religion and morality enjoin this conduct"
2. we should be guided by "an exalted justice and benevolence."
B. Replace "inveterate antipathies" (hatred) and passionate attachments
with "just and amicable feelings."
1. "passionate attachments" produce a variety of evils
2. these attachments
will lead you into "quarrels and wars"
3. they will also lead to favoritism, conceding "privileges denied to
others."
C. Foreigrr "attachments" are "alârming" because they open the door to
foreigners who might:
1. "tamper
with domestic factions"
2. "practise the arts of seduction"
3. "mislead public opinion"
4. influence "Public Councils."
D. "Foreign influence is one ofthe most baneful foes of Republican
Government."
E. "The great rule of conduct for us": "as little political connection as
possible."
l.
we should
fulfill obligations, then
2. we should not get involved
stop
in Europe's affairs.
F. "Steer clear ofpermanent alliances with any portion ofthe foreign
world."
G. However, we may have "temporary alliances, for extraordinary
emergencies."
H. Maintain "a liberal relationship with all nations."
IX. Conclusion.
A. Washington hopes his counsel will:
1. "help moderate the
fury ofparty spirit"
2. "warn against the mischiefs of foreign intrigue"
3. "guard against the impostures ofpretended patriotism."
B. A "neutral position" is the best course to take regarding the "subsisting
war in Europe."
1.
that neutrality is the right course has been "admitted by all."
2. our "motive has been to endeavor to gain time for our country to
settle and mature" until America has "command of its own fortunes."