Washington's Farewell Address

views updated

WASHINGTON'S FAREWELL ADDRESS

Near the end of his second term as president, George Washington decided not to seek reelection. With Alexander Hamilton's assistance, he crafted an address that offered his wisdom and advice to the nation. Washington's 1796 farewell address, which reflected the president's experiences in war and peace, has become a reference point for American identity and relations with the world.

The first goal of the address was to inform the nation he would not seek office again: "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 made." He went on to explain that he had originally hoped to retire in 1783, but at the time felt his country still needed him. He expressed gratitude to the country and assured the people he still cared a great deal about the nation's future. Washington's decision not to seek a third term set a precedent expressing the Revolution's republican ideal that public officials were servants of the people rather than rulers for life. The two-term limit was later incorporated into the Constitution in the Twenty-second Amendment.

Washington next stressed the importance of unity and explained that the nation was truly the sum of all its parts. In his view, North and South, East and West, engaged in a relationship in which all benefited from being together. He also stressed the importance of unities among the different political factions within the country. He was speaking from direct experience of the time, when the followers of Jefferson were at odds with the followers of Hamilton. Washington also pointed out that only in unity was there strength against "external danger."

The speech then discussed foreign policy. Washington asked people to "observe good faith and justice towards all nations; cultivate peace and harmony with all." He urged the young nation not to play favorites with other nations. Having sympathy for a favored nation clouded judgment and would lead America to participate in the wars and disputes of a favorite nation without just cause. This type of favoritism, Washington stated, also inspired jealousy among the countries that had not been favored.

Washington was clearly drawing on his past experiences. During his military service, he saw the immense toll of war, both in the French and Indian War and the Revolution. Later, as president, he understood even further the difficulties of foreign entanglements. The year of Washington's inauguration was the year of the French Revolution. At first, Americans remembered the kindness of the French during the American Revolution, and hoped for the best outcome. But when France declared war on England in 1793, the Hamiltonians sided with the English and the Jeffersonians sided with the French. Washington was wary of any commitment to France and pushed for neutrality.

Washington's farewell address argued that foreign influence was "insidious" and "one of the most baneful woes of republican government." In one place the government might see danger, but in another place danger and undue influence might be concealed by an alliance. He saw no reason for the United States to interweave its destiny with Europe's, to "entangle our peace and prosperity in the toils of European ambition, rivalship, interest, humor or caprice." Any existing alliances should be honored, he believed, but it was wise to stay away from permanent alliances with any foreign nations.

In truth, there was only one course of action the nation could take with regard to foreign policy—to have "as little political connection as possible" while still maintaining fair and regulated trade. In Washington's view, Europe's interests and internal quarrels belonged in Europe, and it would have been unwise to implicate our country in those foreign struggles. His suggested course for the future was for the United States to remain distant and detached from Europe. Neutrality would bring a universal respect from all nations and would make anyone think twice about provoking the United States.

Still, harmony toward nations and impartial limited dealings with them were acceptable, so long as the United States remembered that favors were not free and came at a price; the nation "must pay with a portion of its independence."

The words of the president went a long way in forming a general political philosophy for the nation. The Alien and Sedition Laws of 1798 continued in this spirit, and went as far as to allow the government to expel any foreigner whom it considered dangerous. Washington's words were also echoed in the so-called Monroe Doctrine of 1823 that warned all foreign nations not to interfere in American territory. Over the next 140 years, only when pushed or provoked to the very limit of its patience—in 1812, 1917, and 1941, most notably—did the United States enter into a war.

America's entry into World War II in 1941 marked a new era in the nation's foreign policy. As a result of events more than ambition, the United States became a world power. The war against totalitarianism, the Cold War, and the War on Terror have fundamentally reversed the advice given by Washington in his farewell address. To remain at peace and to ensure trade and prosperity, the nation has abandoned neutrality and detachment from alliances to embrace diplomatic, economic, and military globalism. These changes profoundly affected American identity, society, and culture in the last half of the twentieth century and will continue to do so in the twenty-first.