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1796 letter by 1st Usa President George Washington to the American people

Washington'south Farewell Address

Author	George Washington with Alexander Hamilton (1796) and James Madison (1792)
Original title	The Address of Gen. Washington to the people on His Failing the Presidency of the Us
Publisher	Gen. George Washington
Publication appointment	September 1796
Text	Washington's Good day Accost at Wikisource

Washington'southward Farewell Address is a letter of the alphabet written by American President George Washington equally a valedictory to "friends and the fellow-citizens" afterwards 20 years of public service to the United States.^[ane] He wrote it virtually the end of his 2d term of presidency before retiring to his domicile at Mount Vernon in Virginia.

The letter was start published as The Address of Gen. Washington to the People of America on His Declining the Presidency of the United States in the American Daily Advertiser on September 19, 1796, about 10 weeks before the presidential electors cast their votes in the 1796 ballot. It is a archetype statement of republicanism, warning Americans of the political dangers which they must avert if they are to remain truthful to their values. It was almost immediately reprinted in newspapers effectually the country, and afterward in pamphlet form.^[2]

The first draft was originally prepared by James Madison in June 1792, as Washington contemplated retiring at the cease of his first term in function.^[3] Withal, he set it aside and ran for a second term because of heated disputes betwixt Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton and Secretary of Land Thomas Jefferson which convinced Washington that the growing tensions would rip apart the state without his leadership. This included the state of foreign diplomacy, and divisions between the newly formed Federalist and Democratic-Republican parties.^[iv]

As his second term came to a close four years later, Washington prepared a revision of the original letter with the aid of Hamilton to write a new bye address to announce his intention to decline a tertiary term in office. He reflects on the emerging issues of the American political landscape in 1796, expresses his support for the authorities eight years later on the adoption of the Constitution, defends his assistants's record and gives valedictory advice to the American people. The letter of the alphabet likewise attempted to reunite the land, which had partly turned confronting Washington following the controversial 1794 Jay Treaty.^{[5] [6] [7]}

Summary [edit]

The thought of the United States without George Washington as its president caused business amidst many Americans. Thomas Jefferson disagreed with many of the president'south policies and later led the Democratic-Republicans in opposition to many Federalist policies, but he joined his political rival Alexander Hamilton—the leader of the Federalists—in convincing the president to delay his retirement and serve a second term. The 2 men feared that the nation would be torn apart without his leadership. Washington most probable referred to this when he told the American people that he had wanted to retire before the final ballot, simply he was convinced past people who were, in his words, "entitled to my conviction" that it was his duty to serve a second term.^[4] All of the ideas presented in Washington's Good day Accost came from Washington; all the same, Alexander Hamilton wrote almost of information technology.^[8]

Washington sought to convince the American people that his service was no longer necessary past telling them, as he had in his outset inaugural address, that he truly believed that he was never qualified to be president. If he accomplished annihilation during his presidency, he said, it was as a event of their support and efforts to help the state survive and prosper. Despite his confidence that the country would survive without his leadership, Washington used the bulk of the letter of the alphabet to offer advice as a "parting friend" on what he believed were the greatest threats to the nation.^[4]

Unity and sectionalism [edit]

The Address expresses Washington's understanding of republicanism past affirming popular government and alert about threats to "Republican freedom".^[nine] He begins his warnings to the American people past stressing that their independence, peace at habitation and away, safety, prosperity, and freedom are all dependent upon unity amidst us. He warns them that the union of states created by the Constitution volition come under the about frequent and focused attacks by foreign and domestic enemies of the country. He warns the American people to be suspicious of anyone who seeks to carelessness the Union, to secede a portion of the country from the rest, or to weaken the bonds that hold together the constitutional union. To promote the forcefulness of the Union, he urges the people to place their identity equally Americans above their identities as members of a country, metropolis, or region, and to focus their efforts and affection on the state to a higher place all other local interests. He reminds the people that they do not accept more than slight differences in religion, manners, habits, and political principles, and that their triumph and possession of independence and liberty are the result of working together.^[4]

Washington continues to express his support of the Marriage by giving some examples of how he believes that the land, its regions, and its people are already benefiting from the unity which they currently share. He then looks to the future in his belief that the combined effort and resource of its people will protect the country from foreign attack and allow them to avoid wars between neighboring nations that often happen due to rivalries and competing relations with foreign nations. He argues that the security provided by the Wedlock will as well allow the United States to avoid the creation of an overgrown armed forces which he sees as a great threat to freedom, especially the republican liberty which the United States has created.

Washington goes on to warn the American people to question the ulterior motives of any person or group who argues that the land within the borders of the United States is as well large to be ruled as a commonwealth, an argument fabricated by many during the argue on the proposed buy of the Louisiana Territory, calling on the people to give the experiment of a large republic a take a chance to piece of work before deciding that it cannot be washed. He then offers strong warnings on the dangers of sectionalism, arguing that the true motives of a sectionalist are to create distrust or rivalries betwixt regions and people to proceeds power and take control of the government. Washington points to the Jay Treaty and Pinckney's Treaty which established the borders of the United States' western territories between Spanish Mexico and British Canada, and secured the rights of western farmers to ship goods along the Mississippi River to New Orleans. He holds up these treaties every bit proof that the eastern states along the Atlantic Coast and the federal government are looking out for the welfare of all the American people and tin can win off-white treatment from foreign countries every bit a united nation.^[4]

Constitution and political factions [edit]

Washington goes on to state his support for the new ramble regime, calling it an improvement upon the nation's original attempt in the Articles of Confederation. He reminds the people that it is the right of the people to alter the government to run across their needs, just it should only be done through constitutional amendments. He reinforces this conventionalities by arguing that violent takeovers of the authorities should be avoided at all costs and that it is the duty of every fellow member of the republic to follow the constitution and to submit to the laws of the authorities until it is constitutionally amended by the bulk of the American people.^[1]

Washington warns the people that political factions may seek to obstruct the execution of the laws created by the government or to prevent the branches of regime from exercising the powers provided them past the constitution. Such factions may claim to exist trying to respond popular demands or solve pressing issues, merely their true intentions are to take the power from the people and identify it in the easily of unjust men.^[one]

Washington calls the American people to just modify the Constitution through amendments, but he then warns them that groups seeking to overthrow the government may strive to pass constitutional amendments to weaken the government to a point where information technology is unable to defend itself from political factions, enforce its laws, and protect the people'south rights and property. As a result, he urges them to requite the government time to realize its full potential, and only meliorate the constitution afterward thorough time and thought have proven that it is truly necessary instead of simply making changes based upon opinions and hypotheses of the moment....^[ane]

Political parties [edit]

Washington continues to advance his thought of the dangers of sectionalism and expands his warning to include the dangers of political parties to the country as a whole. These warnings are given in the context of the recent rise of two opposing parties within the regime—the Democratic-Republican Political party led past Jefferson, and Hamilton's Federalist Political party. Washington had striven to remain neutral during a conflict between Britain and French republic brought most by the French Revolution, while the Autonomous-Republicans had made efforts to align with French republic, and the Federalists had made efforts to ally with United kingdom of great britain and northern ireland.

Washington recognizes that it is natural for people to organize and operate within groups such as political parties, but he also argues that every government has recognized political parties every bit an enemy and has sought to repress them because of their tendency to seek more power than other groups and to accept revenge on political opponents.^[4] He feels that disagreements between political parties weakened the government.

Moreover, he makes the case that "the alternate domination" of one party over another and congruent efforts to exact revenge upon their opponents have led to horrible atrocities, and "is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism." From Washington's perspective and judgment, political parties eventually and "gradually incline the minds of men to seek security… in the absolute power of an individual",^[ane] leading to despotism. He acknowledges the fact that parties are sometimes beneficial in promoting liberty in monarchies, but he argues that political parties must be restrained in a popularly elected authorities because of their tendency to distract the government from their duties, create unfounded jealousies among groups and regions, enhance false alarms among the people, promote riots and coup, and provide foreign nations and interests access to the government where they tin impose their will upon the state.

Checks and balances and separation of powers [edit]

Washington continues his defense of the Constitution by stating that the system of checks and balances and separation of powers within it are important means of preventing a single person or group from seizing command of the country. He advises the American people that, if they believe that it is necessary to change the powers granted to the authorities through the Constitution, it should be done through ramble amendments instead of through force.

This 1866 engraving depicts Washington praying at Valley Forge

Religion, morality and education [edit]

One of the about referenced parts of Washington's letter is his potent support of the importance of faith and morality in promoting individual and public happiness and in promoting the political prosperity of the nation.^{[ citation needed ]} He argues that religious principles promote the protection of property, reputation, and life that are the foundations of justice. He cautions against the conventionalities that the nation's morality can be maintained without organized religion:

Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, organized religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man merits the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens. The mere politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connections with individual and public felicity. Allow information technology only exist 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? And let united states with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without faith. Any may be conceded to the influence of refined instruction on minds of peculiar construction, reason and experience both forbid us to await that national morality tin prevail in exclusion of religious principle.^[1]

Washington refers to religious principle equally the foundation of public morality. He also argues that the American government needs to ensure "the full general diffusion of knowledge"^[5] throughout the United states of america; the government has been created to enforce the opinion of the people, so the opinion of the people should be informed and knowledgeable.

Credit and government borrowing [edit]

Washington provides strong support for the balanced federal upkeep, arguing that the nation's credit is an important source of strength and security. He urges the American people to preserve the national credit past avoiding state of war, fugitive unnecessary borrowing, and paying off whatsoever national debt accumulated in times of war equally chop-chop as possible in times of peace and then that future generations do not have to take on the financial burdens. Despite his warnings to avoid taking on debt, Washington does state his conventionalities that sometimes it is necessary to spend coin to prevent dangers or wars that volition price more if not properly prepared for. At these times, he argues, it is necessary for the people to cooperate past paying taxes to embrace these precautionary expenses. He emphasizes how of import it is for the government to be careful in choosing the items that will exist taxed, only also ball the American people that, no matter how hard the government tries, there will never be a tax which is not inconvenient and unpleasant to those who must pay it.

Strange relations and free trade [edit]

Washington dedicates a large part of his bye accost to discussing foreign relations and the dangers of permanent alliances between the United States and strange nations, which he views equally foreign entanglements.^[10] He advocates a policy of good faith and justice towards all nations, again making reference to proper behavior based upon religious doctrine and morality. He urges the American people to avoid long-term friendly relations or rivalries with whatsoever nation, arguing that attachments with or antagonism toward other nations volition only cloud the government's judgment in its foreign policy. He argues that longstanding poor relations will only lead to unnecessary wars due to a trend to blow minor offenses out of proportion when committed by nations viewed as enemies of the The states. He continues this argument by claiming that alliances are likely to draw the United States into wars that have no justification and no benefit to the country beyond simply defending the favored nation. Alliances, he warns, often atomic number 82 to poor relations with nations who feel that they are not being treated every bit well equally America's allies, and threaten to influence the American regime into making decisions based upon the will of their allies instead of the volition of the American people.

Citizen Genêt was the French government minister who interfered in U.S. politics

Washington makes an extended reference to the dangers of foreign nations who will seek to influence the American people and government; nations who may be considered friendly as well as nations considered enemies will equally endeavor to influence the government to do their will. "Existent patriots", he warns, who "resist the intrigues" of foreign nations may observe themselves "suspected and odious" in the eyes of others, yet he urges the people to stand firm against such influences notwithstanding. He portrays those who try to further such foreign interests every bit condign the "tools and dupes" of those nations, stealing the applause and praise of their country away from the "real patriots" while actually working to "give up" American interests to strange nations.

Washington goes on to urge the American people to take advantage of their isolated position in the world, and to avert attachments and entanglements in foreign diplomacy, especially those of Europe, which he argues have little or naught to do with the interests of America. He argues that it makes no sense for the American people to get embroiled in European affairs when their isolated position and unity permit them to remain neutral and focus on their own diplomacy. He argues that the state should avoid permanent alliances with all foreign nations, although temporary alliances during times of extreme danger may exist necessary. He states that current treaties should be honored simply not extended.

Washington wraps upward his foreign policy stance past advocating gratuitous merchandise with all nations, arguing that trade links should be established naturally and the part of the regime should be limited to ensuring stable trade, defending the rights of American merchants and any provisions necessary to ensure the conventional rules of trade.

Address'south intentions [edit]

Washington uses this portion of the address to explicate that he does non expect his advice to make any bully impression upon the people or to change the course of American politics, merely he does hope that the people will recall his devoted service to his country.

Defense of the Declaration of Neutrality [edit]

Washington then explains his reasoning behind the Announcement of Neutrality which he fabricated during the French Revolutionary Wars, despite the standing Treaty of Alliance with France. He explains that the U.s. had a right to remain neutral in the conflict and that the correctness of that decision "has been most admitted by all" nations since. Justice and humanity required him to remain neutral during the conflict, he argues, and the neutrality was as well necessary to allow the new government a chance to mature and gain plenty strength to control its ain affairs.

Closing thoughts [edit]

Washington closes his letter of the alphabet to the American people by asking them to forgive any failures which may have occurred during his service to the land, assuring them that they were due to his own weaknesses and by no means intentional. The sentences limited his excitement about joining his beau Americans equally a private denizen in the free government which they have created together during his 45 years of public service.

Legacy [edit]

Washington'south Farewell Address is considered to be 1 of the most important documents in American history^[2] and the foundation of the Federalist Party's political doctrine.

Washington later accepted a committee from President John Adams, despite his stated desire to retire from public service, as the Senior Officeholder of a Provisional Army formed to defend the nation confronting a possible invasion by French forces during the Quasi-War.^[11] Washington held true to his statements in his farewell address, despite spending months organizing the Officer Corps of the Provisional Army, and declined suggestions that he render to public function in the presidential election of 1800.^[eleven]

Washington'due south statements on the importance of organized religion and morality in American politics and his warnings on the dangers of foreign alliances influenced political debates into the twentieth century,^[2] and have received special consideration as advice from an American hero.

Alliances with foreign nations [edit]

Washington's hope that the United States would end permanent alliances with foreign nations was realized in 1800 with the Convention of 1800, the Treaty of Mortefontaine which officially concluded the 1778 Treaty of Alliance, in exchange for ending the Quasi-War and establishing most favored nation trade relations with Napoleonic France.^[12] In 1823, Washington'south foreign policy goals were further realized in the Monroe Doctrine, which promised non-interference in European diplomacy then long as the nations of Europe did non seek to colonize or interfere with the newly independent Latin American nations of Central and South America. The United States did non enter into any permanent military alliances with foreign nations until the 1949 North Atlantic Treaty^[xiii] which formed NATO.

Reading in Congress [edit]

Philadelphia residents signed a petition in Jan 1862 during the American Civil War requesting that Congress commemorate the 130th anniversary of Washington'due south nascency by reading his Farewell Address "in i or the other of the Houses of Congress."^[v] Information technology was kickoff read in the Business firm of Representatives in February 1862, and reading Washington'south address became a tradition in both houses by 1899. The House of Representatives abased the practise in 1984,^[v] but the Senate continues the tradition. Washington's Birthday is observed past selecting a member of the Senate to read the address aloud on the Senate flooring, alternating between political parties each year since 1896.^[v] Additionally, readers brand an entry into a black, leather-bound periodical maintained past the Secretary of the Senate upon finishing.^[14]

In popular culture [edit]

According to political journalist John Avlon, the Good day Address was "one time celebrated as a civic Scripture, more widely reprinted than the Announcement of Independence" but adds that it "is now almost forgotten."^[15] He suggested that it had long been "eclipsed in the national retentiveness" until the Broadway musical Hamilton brought it dorsum to popular awareness in the song "One Final Fourth dimension", where lines are sung by Washington and Hamilton from the end of the Address.^[sixteen]

See also [edit]

• Federalist Era which covers the 1790s
• Republicanism in the United States
• U.s. non-interventionism
• Transcript of Washington'southward Bye Accost

References [edit]

1. ^ ^{a b c d e f} Washington, George (September 17, 1796). Washington's Bye Address – via Wikisource.
2. ^ ^{a b c} "Religion and the Founding of the American Republic". Loc.gov. Oct 27, 2003. Retrieved September 19, 2009.  This article incorporates public domain fabric from websites or documents of the Library of Congress.
3. ^ "Washington's Farewell Address". University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia: Papers of George Washington. Retrieved August 4, 2017.
4. ^ ^{a b c d e f} Elkins, Stanley; McKitrick, Eric (1995). The Historic period of Federalism: The Early American Commonwealth, 1788–1800. Oxford University Press. pp. 489–499. ISBN978-0-nineteen-509381-0.
5. ^ ^{a b c d eastward} "Washington'due south Farewell Accost, Senate Document No. 106–21, Washington, 2000" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on June 12, 2009. Retrieved September 19, 2009.  This article incorporates public domain cloth from websites or documents of the U.S. Regime Publishing Role.
6. ^ https://world wide web.americanheritage.com/impeach-president-washington#two . Retrieved 19 August 2021
7. ^ https://www.mountvernon.org/library/digitalhistory/digital-encyclopedia/article/press-attacks/ . Retrieved 19 August 2021
8. ^ "George Washington's Goodbye Address: Chief Documents of American History (Virtual Programs & Services, Library of Congress)". Library of Congress. September vi, 2017. Retrieved Feb 26, 2017.
9. ^ Robert W. Watson (2007). White House Studies Compendium. Nova Publishers. p. 319. ISBN9781600215421.
10. ^ Bemis, Samuel Flagg (1934). "Washington's Farewell Accost: A Strange Policy of Independence". American Historical Review. 39 (2): 250–268. doi:10.2307/1838722. JSTOR 1838722.
11. ^ ^{a b} "A Brief Biography of George Washington". Mountvernon.org. Archived from the original on August 23, 2011. Retrieved September 19, 2009.
12. ^ "Perspective On The French-American Brotherhood". Xenophongroup.com. Archived from the original on January twenty, 2009. Retrieved September 19, 2009.
13. ^ "Online Library: North Atlantic Treaty Organization". Nato.int. Archived from the original on September 13, 2008. Retrieved September 19, 2009.
14. ^ U.s. Senate. "U.Southward. Senate: Washington'south Adieu Accost".
15. ^ Avlon, John (2017). Washington's Goodbye: The Founding Father'due south Alarm to Future Generations. Simon and Schuster. p. one. ISBN9781476746463.
16. ^ "What We Can Learn From 'Washington's Farewell'". All Things Considered. National Public Radio. Jan viii, 2017.

Further reading [edit]

• Avlon, John. Washington's Farewell: The Founding Father'southward Warning to Future Generations (2017) excerpt
• DeConde, Alexander (1957). "Washington'south Bye, the French Brotherhood, and the Election of 1796". Mississippi Valley Historical Review. 43 (4): 641–658. doi:10.2307/1902277. ISSN 0161-391X. JSTOR 1902277.
• Gilbert, Felix (1961). To the Farewell Address: Ideas of Early on American Foreign Policy. New York: Harper and Row.
• Hostetler, Michael J. "Washington's farewell address: Distance equally bane and blessing". Rhetoric & Public Affairs (2002) 5#three pp: 393–407. online
• Kaufman, Burton Ira, ed. (1969) Washington'southward Adieu Address: The View from the 20th Century (Quadrangle Books) essays by scholars
• Malanson, Jeffrey J. (2015) Addressing America: George Washington'due south Farewell and the Making of National Culture, Politics, and Affairs, 1796–1852 (Kent State University Press, 2015). x, 253 pp excerpt
• Pessen, Edward (1987). "George Washington's Farewell Accost, the Cold War, and the Timeless National". Journal of the Early on Democracy. 7 (one): 1–27. doi:10.2307/3123426. ISSN 0275-1275. JSTOR 3123426.
• Spalding, Matthew & Garrity, Patrick J. (1996). A Sacred Matrimony of Citizens: George Washington'south Farewell Address and the American Character . Lanham, Dr.: Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN0-8476-8261-vii.
• ——— (1996). "George Washington's Cheerio Address". The Wilson Quarterly. twenty (iv).
• Varg, Paul A. (1963). Foreign Policies of the Founding Fathers. Baltimore: Penguin Books.

External links [edit]

• James Madison'south manuscript of June 21 1792
• Text of Washington's Farewell Accost

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Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Washington%27s_Farewell_Address

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