Time: 11:28:27 PM
Remote Name: 220.127.116.11
Elizabeth Horan February 28, 2000
Week Six Primary Source
On September 17, 1796, George Washington published his Farewell Address, in which he officially resigned from the presidency. With some help from James Madison and Alexander Hamilton, Washington crafted this piece of American history. In this document, along with declaring his resignation, Washington also spoke about national affairs. First of all, Washington praised the existence of government in American life. He felt that government was holding America together. His view on government’s role in American life is best summarized when he states, "The unity of government…is a main pillar in the edifice of your real independence…of your tranquillity at home, your peace abroad; of your safety; of your prosperity; of that very liberty which you so highly prize." This is an extreme statement that says government is helping you in every way, and it is an American’s duty to be proud and value the liberty made possible by the government. In respect to foreign matters, Washington sternly warned against making permanent foreign alliances with distant countries. He warned against this because America may be taken advantage of if paired with a country who has no vested interest in his country. He states it, "It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world." As our book mentions, this ideal was respected for many years after Washington. Speaking about politics and political parties, Washington also warns against parties. He basically says that parties make trouble that the country does not need and would not have without them. He also did not like the strict competition between parties, and felt most times it did not result in beneficial effects. Furthermore, his strongest argument against parties was that it leaves America susceptible to foreign influence on our politics. Washington asserts, "It serves to distract the Public Councils, and enfeeble the Public Administration…agitates the Community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms; kindles the animosity of one…against another…it opens the door to foreign influence and corruption…thus the policy and the will of one country are subjected to the policy and the will of another." He then points out an interesting paradox between liberty and government: In order to have a successful government, liberty is granted only if the people follow the government’s rules. He words it, "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." He is discussing the irony of this obligatory liberty. Finally, I do not believe that this document was strictly partisan preferences nor was it strictly personal principles. I believe it is a mixture of the two. Washington did write the address himself, and had no need to boost a certain party’s public relations. He really stated most of the address due to his personal thoughts for the betterment of the country. Although, his comrades Hamilton and Madison did assist him writing the document, and since they both were actively involved in politics, they probably convinced Washington to slip a few things in the address that may help boost their political careers.