LAD #6 Washington's Farewell Address 1796

Washington made a statement that it was time for an election for president and he would not be running in this election. He made himself clear that in doing this he was not lacking loyalty or patriotism. He was going to not run in the previous election, but with the state of the United States as it was he decided against it. George Washington hoped that the citizens would not be mad that he is not running again. If he has made any great contributions to this country while in office he hopes that people will remember them and continue his legacy. The United States government is based upon independence, which protects your peace, safety and liberty. The reason why the United States is independent is because many different people worked together to achieve the common goal of freedom from England. All part of the United States despite their differences all work together to make this country work. The North, South, East, and West all work together in union and therefore make a strong nation. People cannot let “geographic" obsticles come between them. The United States Constitution is working much better than the Articles of Confederation had . The political system is based on people making changes to their constitution of their government. People have rights to make their government as well as obey their government. Factions are bad and they ruin mutual interest or common goals. In order to have liberty the powers of a country have be distributed evenly. George Washington advises us that it is dangerous to make parties based on “geographic discrimination.” Washington warned that the development of parties would destroy the government, and worried that special interest groups and foreign nations would easily dominate the factions. On this note, he implored future generations to avoid embroilment in the affairs of other nations, and concentrate on the development of "efficient government" at home, free from foreign influence. Washington left office in March 1797, leaving the nation still very much divided.
Parties or factions cause problems with the public and make foreign influence easier. Some people say that parties are good and prevent one group of people dominating another as well as it leads people to have different opinions, which is what this country is based on. However, parties should not be used to cause disunity within a nation. Religion should not be a factor in any government affairs. Try to keep the nations debt to a minimum, debt is evident though and can be controlled by the practice of taxes. The United States should be at peace with all other nations. Anger towards a nation can result in conflict, which could lead to a war. Foreign influence is a nation’s worst enemy, it causes jealousy. Don’t take the side of any particular nation. Have commercial relations with any nation, but politically stay far away from other nations. Only make alliances when it is absolutely necessary. Use the policy of peace whenever applicable. The United States should always use the policy of peace when dealing with other nations.
Washington's Farewell Address was a direct response to the fractioning of the American people. From a clearly Federalist point of view he extolled the virtues of neutrality. He pleaded for American political neutrality, that citizens not be forced to choose between political alternatives, but rather choose their leaders on the basis of merit and reputation.