George Washington’s Warning
In his farewell address to the nation, President George Washington gave a warning about “unprincipled men” that could be seen by some as talking about Donald Trump. The address could also be interpreted as a warning about today’s political polarization, and even the events of January 6th.
That may all seem like speculation but there are many things he did warn about that were not, and are not, speculation. For example, he warned about the possibility of a Civil War — a prediction that sadly came true only 65 years after his address and which some people are afraid may come true again.
The address was never actually delivered to Congress. Instead, it was delivered to people of the then 16 ‘states’ of the United States in a letter published in Philadelphia’s American Daily Advertiser and later carried in other newspapers around the country. He had originally written it with the help of James Madison at the end of his first term because he had planned to retire then. He only stayed on because of the ongoing conflict between Britain and France that he was afraid would affect America.
The National Constitution Center which is hosting the debate on ABC between former president Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris provides a full transcript of the lengthy farewell address. Even in the formal English of the day, Washington’s message of concern about the future of America is clear.
His primary concern was that America would get involved in foreign disputes that would have repercussions at home. That’s understandable following the Revolutionary War. That’s why Congress voted and he signed a ‘bill of neutrality’ in the war between England and France. But it’s his other concerns that have an almost eerie echo of today.
Who Does This Sound Like?
“…cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men… enabled to subvert the power of the people, and to usurp for themselves the reins of government, destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion.”
“… (men who) … gilding with the appearances of a virtuous sense of obligation, a commendable deference for public opinion, or a laudable zeal for public good (are hiding) the base or foolish compliances of ambition, corruption, or infatuation.”
“… (someone who will) incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual; and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation on the ruins of public liberty.”
“… The spirit of encroachment tends to consolidate the powers of all the departments in one, and thus to create, whatever the form of government, a real despotism.”
“… guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism… foreign influence in innumerable ways… are particularly alarming to the truly enlightened and independent patriot…”
What Does This Sound Like?
“…the common and continual mischiefs of the spirit of party… agitates the community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms; kindles the animosity of one part against another; foments occasionally riot and insurrection… “
“.. (Beware of parties that) acquire influence within districts to misrepresent the opinions and aims of other districts. You cannot shield yourselves too much against the jealousies and heart burnings which spring from these misrepresentations; they tend to render alien to each other those who ought to be bound together by fraternal affection…”
“… (there are those who will) put in the place of the delegated will of the nation the will of a party, often a small but artful and enterprising minority of the community, and make the public administration the mirror of the ill-concerted and incongruous projects of faction…”
“The name of American, which belongs to you in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of patriotism more than any appellation derived from local discriminations.”
As a foonote, Washington’s comments about religion in this farewell address may also be worth thinking about as so-called “Christian Nationalists” talk about imposing their own religious doctrines on the country. Washington’s religious commitment is evident in this, but with a proviso. Each time he referred to “religion and morality” as guiding principles, not any particular religious belief.
A final footnote: the farewell address is read before each new session of the U.S. Senate. Unfortunately, it seems that reading has become ceremonial instead of meaningful since so many members appear to no longer follow his advice.
More Resources
The American Presidency Project
https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/farewell-address
Mount Vernon — Washington’s Farewell Address
Mount Vernon — The First Continental Congress
Mount Vernon — The First Inauguration
Political Parties in America
https://www.loc.gov/exhibits/creating-the-united-states/formation-of-political-parties.html
National Archives — Constitution Day
