Posted on 02/22/2024 5:06:47 PM PST by UMCRevMom@aol.com
Friends and Citizens:
The period for a new election of a citizen to administer the executive government of the United States being not far distant, and the time actually arrived when your thoughts must be employed in designating the person who is to be clothed with that important trust, it appears to me proper, especially as it may conduce to a more distinct expression of the public voice, 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.
I beg you, at the same time, to do me the justice to be assured that this resolution has not been taken without a strict regard to all the considerations appertaining to the relation which binds a dutiful citizen to his country; and that in withdrawing the tender of service, which silence in my situation might imply, I am influenced by no diminution of zeal for your future interest, no deficiency of grateful respect for your past kindness, but am supported by a full conviction that the step is compatible with both.
The acceptance of, and continuance hitherto in, the office to which your suffrages have twice called me have been a uniform sacrifice of inclination to the opinion of duty and to a deference for what appeared to be your desire. I constantly hoped that it would have been much earlier in my power, consistently with motives which I was not at liberty to disregard, to return to that retirement from which I had been reluctantly drawn. The strength of my inclination to do this, previous to the last election, had even led to the preparation of an address to declare it to you; but mature reflection on the then perplexed and critical posture of our affairs with foreign nations, and the unanimous advice of persons entitled to my confidence, impelled me to abandon the idea.
I rejoice that the state of your concerns, external as well as internal, no longer renders the pursuit of inclination incompatible with the sentiment of duty or propriety, and am persuaded, whatever partiality may be retained for my services, that, in the present circumstances of our country, you will not disapprove my determination to retire.
The impressions with which I first undertook the arduous trust were explained on the proper occasion. In the discharge of this trust, I will only say that I have, with good intentions, contributed towards the organization and administration of the government the best exertions of which a very fallible judgment was capable. Not unconscious in the outset of the inferiority of my qualifications, experience in my own eyes, perhaps still more in the eyes of others, has strengthened the motives to diffidence of myself; and every day the increasing weight of years admonishes me more and more that the shade of retirement is as necessary to me as it will be welcome. Satisfied that if any circumstances have given peculiar value to my services, they were temporary, I have the consolation to believe that, while choice and prudence invite me to quit the political scene, patriotism does not forbid it.
In looking forward to the moment which is intended to terminate the career of my public life, my feelings do not permit me to suspend the deep acknowledgment of that debt of gratitude which I owe to my beloved country for the many honors it has conferred upon me; still more for the steadfast confidence with which it has supported me; and for the opportunities I have thence enjoyed of manifesting my inviolable attachment, by services faithful and persevering, though in usefulness unequal to my zeal. If benefits have resulted to our country from these services, let it always be remembered to your praise, and as an instructive example in our annals, that under circumstances in which the passions, agitated in every direction, were liable to mislead, amidst appearances sometimes dubious, vicissitudes of fortune often discouraging, in situations in which not unfrequently want of success has countenanced the spirit of criticism, the constancy of your support was the essential prop of the efforts, and a guarantee of the plans by which they were effected. Profoundly penetrated with this idea, I shall carry it with me to my grave, as a strong incitement to unceasing vows that heaven may continue to you the choicest tokens of its beneficence; that your union and brotherly affection may be perpetual; that the free Constitution, which is the work of your hands, may be sacredly maintained; that its administration in every department may be stamped with wisdom and virtue; that, in fine, the happiness of the people of these States, under the auspices of liberty, may be made complete by so careful a preservation and so prudent a use of this blessing as will acquire to them the glory of recommending it to the applause, the affection, and adoption of every nation which is yet a stranger to it. [excerpt]
All three generally go to the same place, more or less.
https://librivox.org/presidential-farewell-and-last-addresses-by-various/
https://archive.org/details/presidential_farewell_last_addresses_jg_1504_librivox
I thought he would have given his farewell address in 1797.
- The Washington Doctrine of Unstable Alliances, also known as the caution against entangling alliances, was an early realist guide for US foreign policy and the nation's interaction with others. Washington warned the nation to avoid permanent alliances with foreign nations and to rely instead on temporary alliances for emergencies. He advised the United States to stay out of unnecessary wars and aloof from foreign entanglements. Washington's admonition stemmed from his own personal experience, as he knew first hand how costly wars could be4. He meant only to steer clear of European alliances and entanglements only for as long as it took to get the USA consolidated and strong in the face of superior European power.
Amen
I was going to say that he gave it then because Congress wasn’t in session all the time, like it pretty much is now.
But in fact, it wasn’t a speech, but a letter sent to a Philadelphia newspaper in September 1796.
My guess is that Washington wanted to indicate clearly that he didn’t want a third term and give the country advice that it should take into account in selecting his successor.
I suspect he wanted to leave office quietly, without actually addressing Congress and making his a big deal about his departure, but maybe somebody else knows more of the details.
I can’t help but feel sad when I read these great words, and think that only a small percentage of today’s high school and college students could read this and meaningfully comprehend it.
Thank God I got my high school and college education when I did - decades ago.
I’ve read and re-read Washington’s farewell address many times. If only our politicians would do the same, paying particular attention to what he said about the dangers of partisanship.
Save your tears for the people in Congress that can't read it, comprehend it or put it into action. The self centered power hungry Congresscritters are fat and bloated from feeding at the trough but can't turn away until death comes knocking.
“Washington warned the nation to avoid permanent alliances with foreign nations and to rely instead on temporary alliances for emergencies”
For instance, approving temporary alliance to support Ukraine to achieve freedom from the invasion of Putin.
Washington further thoughts:
“Profoundly penetrated with this idea, I shall carry it with me to my grave, as a strong incitement to unceasing vows that heaven may continue to you the choicest tokens of its beneficence; that your union and brotherly affection may be perpetual; that the free Constitution, which is the work of your hands, may be sacredly maintained; that its administration in every department may be stamped with wisdom and virtue; that, in fine, the happiness of the people of these States, under the auspices of liberty, may be made complete by so careful a preservation and so prudent a use of this blessing as will ACQUIRE TO THEM THE GLORY OF RECOMMENDING IT to the applause, the affection, and adoption of EVERY NATION which is yet a stranger to it”
So you would be in support of withdrawing from NATO? Because that’s a very good example of a permanent alliance, and without NATO there would have been no war in Ukraine.
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