Washington's Farewell Address

This is a speech I wrote that is an excerpt from Washington's Farewell Address. It is intended to be read as a script. It took me about nine minutes to read this speech. You are welcomed to use this speech if you so desire.

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Washington's Farewell

George Washington was first elected President of the United States in February 1788. He was elected to a second term in 1792. During his presidency, he faced many difficult problems. Of course, there were the constant problems faced by our nation simply because she was new. There were threats from Spain and England over territories surrounding the United States. There were threats from the states themselves to secede and form a new nation. In 1791, The Bill of Rights was ratified due to deep public protest over the silence of the Constitution on basic citizen’s rights. In 1793, France asked Washington for help in conducting a war against England. Washington refused, despite an earlier promise to help defend her as payment for her help in our own revolution. He believed the war was of France’s own doing and we were too weak to survive another war so soon after our own revolution. In 1794 in western Pennsylvania, farmers staged the "whisky rebellion" over unfair taxation. Washington suppressed that rebellion and established for good the power of the federal government to tax her citizens. When Washington’s second term was nearly over, he decided to retire from public life. In his farewell speech, he offered advice to the nation -- advice that seems as appropriate today as on September 19, 1796, when it was first volunteered. I am now pleased to present an excerpt from that speech.

Friends and Fellow-Citizens:

The period for a new election of a citizen, to administer the executive government of the United States, being not far distant, it appears to me proper that I should now apprise you of the resolution I have formed . . . to decline being considered among the number of those out of whom a choice is to be made.

The unity of government, which constitutes you one people, is also now dear to you. It is justly so; for it is a main pillar in the edifice of your real independence, the support of your tranquillity at home, your peace abroad; of your safety; of your prosperity; of that very liberty which you so highly prize. Citizens, by birth or choice, of a common country, that country has a right to concentrate your affections. The name of "American," which belongs to you, in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of patriotism more than any appellation. With slight shades of difference, you have the same religion, manners, habits, and political principles. You have in common cause fought and triumphed together; the independence and liberty you posses are the work of joint counsels and joint efforts, of common dangers, sufferings, and successes.

The basis of our political systems is the right of the people to make and to alter their constitutions of government. But 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 very idea of the power and the right of the people to establish government presupposes the duty of every individual to obey the established government.

Promote, as an object of primary importance, institutions for the general diffusion of knowledge. In proportion as the structure of a government gives force to public opinion, it is essential that public opinion should be enlightened.

As an important source of strength and security, cherish public credit. One method of preserving it is to use it as sparingly as possible; avoiding occasions of expense by cultivating peace -- but remembering also that timely disbursements to prepare for danger frequently prevent much greater disbursements to repel it. It is essential that you should bear in mind, that toward the payment of debts there must be revenue; that to have revenue there must be taxes; that no taxes can be devised which are not more or less inconvenient and unpleasant.

Observe good faith and justice towards all nations; cultivate peace and harmony with all. -- Against the insidious wiles of foreign influence (I conjure you to believe me, fellow-citizens), the jealousy of a free people ought to be constantly awake, since history and experience prove that foreign influence is one of the most baneful foes of republican government. The great rule of conduct for us, in regard to foreign nations, is to have with them as little political connection as possible. So far as we have already formed engagements, let them be fulfilled with perfect good faith.

How far in the discharge of my official duties, I have been guided by the principles which have been delineated, the public records and other evidences of my conduct must witness to you and to the world. To myself, the assurance of my own conscience is, that I have at least believed myself to be guided by them.

Washington’s diary entry for March 4, 1797, his last day in the Presidency, reads, in total: "Much such a day as yesterday in all respects. Mercury at 41."

George R. Self
E-mail me at: grself@c2i2.com

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