George Washington suffered from dysentery during the Revolutionary war, the most common
cause of death in the army. He had managed to fight off a deadly disease, which says enough on
his immune system and strength. By his second term, he was simply worn out and wanted to
retire and just enjoyed his life in Mount Vernon. Washington was afraid he might die in office
due to his health. His political enemies attacked him, which caused him to become fatigued.
Washington was sixty-four years old when he decided not to seek a third term.
Washington Farewell Speech
Both George Washington and Alexander Hamilton co-authored the speech. The
Philadelphia newspaper published his address on September 19, 1796, and it was reprinted
across the nation. Washington actually started on his farewell speech at the end of his first term.
Choosing to serve his second term, he stored the speech in a drawer until after his second term.
The speech given by Washington was not called “farewell speech,” instead, it was titled “To the
People of the United States.” (George Washington’s Mount Vernon, pg. 3-4)
George Washington set the stage for future presidents to only seek a two term in office.
He didn’t want to die in office. He didn’t want Americans to view his presidency as a lifetime
appointment, that’s why he set the terms to only two. Therefore, he decided to resign, but it was
not about power, it was about his commitment to democracy.
George Washington warns against the government of a strong country by electing the
wrong person, relying on other countries and not beating around the bush within political parties.
One of the main reasons for his farewell speech was to encourage and advise the citizens of the
country. Warnings in Washington’s speech as follows (George Washington’s Mount Vernon, pg.
5-8):
●For citizens to stay guarded against attempts to divide them
●There are “designers”, people hungry for power, who try to create mistrust in the regions
of the country. As he says “always be wary of such countries.”
●Political factions may try to block the implementation of laws.
●There might be another “method of attack” by which groups will try to pass constitutional
amendments that weaken the government.
●Washington’s most forceful warning relates to political parties. As he saw the rise of two
parties, the Democratic Party and the Republican Party.
●He warns that party loyalty makes a nation weaker, not stronger. He fears that both sides
are fighting for power and seeking revenge in America. It distracts governments from
their responsibilities and creates jealousy.
●Americans should focus on what is best for the country, not what is best for the parties.
●Morals- The opposite of the idea that the morality of a nation can be maintained without
religion.
●Americans should accept and pay taxes to pay off the debt because it will burden future
generations.
In the final part of his speech, Washington apologized for his failures during the
Presidency and looks forward to joining the people of the United States to benefit from the free
government that has helped him for more than 45 years (George Washington’s Mount Vernon pg.
8).
George Washington wanted to prevent a huge debt for our Country. When Washington
entered public office, the U.S. Debt was at 71 trillion and when he left it was 82 trillion. When
we look at today’s debt, we are at 34 trillion (National Debt Crisis, 2023). Past presidents have
gotten it down since Washington left office, but it’s going back up. Religion is fading fast in our
nation. Something Washington wanted to avoid, but the good news is there are still Christians out
there that still want to express their faith. Another one that Washington feared was the
government wanting power and revenge. Today, his worst fear became true, because the current
administration is all about power. They want to be in control and how to run things. They say
they are for the American people, when in reality, they are about themselves and the power being
in complete control.
Cite Worked
Anon. George Washingon’s Mount Vernon. The Farewell Address. (n.d) Accessed on 8,
March 2024.
https://www.mountvernon.org/george-washington/the-first-president/the-farewell-address/#:~:tex
t=“As%20a%20very%20important%20source,to%20avoid%20burdening%20future%20generati
ons.
Huddleston, Cameron. The National Debt Crisis-By Presidency Yahoo!Finance. (14, May
2023) Accessed on 7, March 2024.
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/national-debt-crisis-presidency-120107140.html?guccounter=1
&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAANlLO5
ykihL8VcdxTEL0q741kKHjGjvFjjj8RPXGxFHL6zHHep9Jp9NyHDmtxC__c2pssCA1663TF9g
jHJdVZ5ynFzQ8sS7TJ4zN2Zlkk0x257vfa7NOkTh2urjBrhUVFk0TdiIzdBPK5oVoY5B4N1ySh
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