Washington’s Farewell Address essay
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. Thus, Washington’s Farewell Address was a kind of opportunity to warn the nation from future mistakes. In such a way, we are going to discuss this address with all the necessary details, and to analyze its main points in the body of this project.
First of all, it is important to mention that George Washington’s Farewell Address was made in September, 1796, and it was published in press on 19 September, 1796. According to Kaufman, we see that “originally published in David Claypoole’s American Daily Advertiser on September 19, 1796 under the title “The Address of General Washington To The People of The United States on his declining of the Presidency of the United States,” the letter was almost immediately reprinted in newspapers across the country and later in a pamphlet form” (Kaufman, 1969). In such a way, it is possible to say that George Washington decided to publish his Farewell Address to the nation, when the hope that the President will run for a new, third term, was still alive in public minds. Constitutional provisions limiting the term of the presidency did not exist at that period of time, and Washington would remain the head of the U.S. government for many years. But, for a great regret, the 65-year-old president showed no desire to prolong his tenure, and health did not permit him to do so too. Thus, to warn the nation about the main problems was his first duty and to make the own Farewell Address was the best variation to solve the problem.
Summarizing Washington’s Farewell Address, we can say that Madison’s notes written in 1792 were taken for the base of the Address. Hamilton offered his help to the President in preparing the Address, and they, along with Washington, upgraded these records. Thus, as it was previously said, on September 19, 1796, all the newspapers published Washington’s Farewell Address, which very well clarified the President’s identity and his special qualities and values. It is true that Washington almost did not influence the election of a new president. And he was very happy for Vice President, who managed to resist the Jefferson, who headed the opposition. Washington was pleased to notice that the positive achievements were far greater than the negative, and he was also regretted that Congress has not responded to his appeal with a request to build a national university. In addition, the President also thanked his aides and staff, while he also expressed separate appreciation to Hamilton.
Being more specific, it is possible to note that Washington was interested in the American destiny, but he was afraid that the country would be able to change the own course; thus, he warned his people against ill-considered steps, and advised to be wary of false patriotism and suspicious foreign influence. Washington never ignored the necessity to create harmonious relations with other countries, but he said in his Farewell Address that even American trade policies should be based on principles of equality and fairness, not trying to get and providing exceptional privileges or benefits, being consistent with the natural state of things, reasonably distributing and varying trade flows, but did not impose. To add, of course, the President again emphasized on the fact that every American should be proud of the own origin because even having some differences in religious or other spheres only real Americans were fighting against wrong political regimes and won the victory combining all the efforts together. Thus, according to Washington, the destiny of the country was not only in the hands of future political leaders, but also in the hands of ordinary people, who need to make their choice in favor of one or another political leader.
Thus, taking everything into consideration, it is possible to conclude that it is impossible to overestimate the contribution of George Washington into the country’s development and well-being, while Washington’s Farewell Address became not only an end point of his career, but it also became an attempt to improve the life of all Americans in their future without Washington. Washington issued his Farewell Address to the nation for more than a half months before the date of the next election, and exactly this Address, in addition to announcing his decision to no longer qualify for the post of the President of the United States, presented his views on the future of the United American States and made recommendations as to which line should follow Government in the conduct of foreign and domestic policy.
To sum up, we have discussed Washington’s Farewell Address, analyzed its main points, and explained its importance to American history.
