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 out set, 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 encreasing 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.[1]
…
Towards the preservation of your
Government and the permanency of your present happy state, it is requisite, not
only that you steadily discountenance irregular oppositions to its acknowledged
authority, but also that you resist with care the spirit of innovation upon its
principles however specious the pretexts. One method of assault may be to
effect, in the forms of the Constitution, alterations which will impair the
energy of the system, and thus to undermine what cannot be directly overthrown.
…
I have already intimated to you the
danger of Parties in the State, with particular reference to the founding of
them on Geographical discriminations. Let me now take a more comprehensive
view, & warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of
the Spirit of Party, generally.
This spirit, unfortunately, is inseperable from our nature, having its root in
the strongest passions of the human Mind. It exists under different shapes in
all Governments, more or less stifled, controuled, or repressed; but in those
of the popular form it is seen in its greatest rankness and is truly their
worst enemy.[2]
The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit
of revenge natural to party dissention, which in different ages & countries
has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism.
But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. The
disorders & miseries, which result, gradually incline the minds of men to
seek security & 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.
Without looking forward to an extremity of this kind (which nevertheless ought
not to be entirely out of sight) the common & continual mischiefs of the
spirit of Party are sufficient to make it the interest and the duty of a wise
People to discourage and restrain it.
It serves always to distract the Public Councils and enfeeble the Public
Administration. It agitates the Community with ill founded jealousies and false
alarms, kindles the animosity of one part against another, foments
occasionally riot & insurrection. It opens the door to foreign influence
& corruption, which find a facilitated access to the government itself
through the channels of party passions. Thus the policy and the will of one
country, are subjected to the policy and will of another.
…
It is important, likewise, that the
habits of thinking in a free Country should inspire caution, in those entrusted
with its administration, to confine themselves within their respective
Constitutional spheres, avoiding in the exercise of the Powers of one department
to encroach upon another. 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. A just estimate of that love of power, and
proneness to abuse it, which predominates in the human heart is sufficient to
satisfy us of the truth of this position.
…
Though in reviewing the incidents of
my Administration, I am unconscious of intentional error—I am nevertheless too
sensible of my defects not to think it probable that I may have committed many
errors. Whatever they may be I fervently beseech the Almighty to avert or
mitigate the evils to which they may tend. I shall also carry with me the hope
that my Country will never cease to view them with indulgence; and that after
forty five years of my life dedicated to its Service, with an upright zeal, the
faults of incompetent abilities will be consigned to oblivion, as myself must
soon be to the mansions of rest.[3]
George
Washington, “Farewell Address” (19 September 1796)[4]
[1] At this point GW struck out eleven lines of
text and a marginal note with an explanation: “obliterated to avoid the
imputation of affected modesty.” The deleted text reads: “May I also have that
of knowing in my retreat, that the involuntary errors, I have probably
committed, have been the sources of no serious or lasting mischief to our
country. I may then expect to realise, without alloy, the sweet enjoyment of partaking,
in the midst of my fellow citizens, the benign influence of good laws under a
free government; the ever favorite object of my heart, and the happy reward, I
trust, of our mutual cares, dangers & labours.”
[2] Here GW struck six sentences: “In Republics
of narrow extent, it is not difficult for those who at any time hold the reins
of Power, and command the ordinary public favor, to overturn the established
Constitution, in favor of their own aggrandisement. The same thing may likewise
be too often accomplished in such Republics, by partial combinations of men,
who though not in Office, from birth, riches or other sources of distinction,
have extraordinary influence & numerous adherents. By debauching the
military force, by surprising some commanding citadel, or by some other sudden
& unforeseen movement, the fate of the Republic is decided. But in
Republics of large extent, usurpations can scarcely make its way through these
avenues. The powers and opportunities of resistance of a wide extended and
numerous nation, defy the successful efforts of the ordinary military force, or
of any Collections which wealth and patronage may call to their aid. In such
Republics, it is safe to assert, that the conflicts of popular factions are the
chief, if not the only inlets, of usurpation and Tyranny.”
[3] Following this paragraph, GW deleted a
paragraph and a marginal note with an explanation: “This paragraph may have the
appearance of self distrust and mere vanity.” … The deleted paragraph reads:
“May I, without the charge of ostentation, add, that neither ambition nor
interest has been the impelling cause of my actions—that I have never
designedly misused any power confided to me, nor hesitated to use one, where I
thought it could redound to your benefit? May I, without the appearance of
affectation, say that the fortune with which I came into office is not bettered
otherwise than by that improvement in the value of property, which the quick
progress & uncommon prosperity of our country have produced? May I still further
add, without breach of delicacy, that I shall retire without cause for a blush,
with sentiment alien to the fervor of those vows for the happiness of his
country so natural to a citizen who sees in it the native soil of his
progenitors and himself for four generations.”
[4] Source: “Farewell Address, 19 September 1796,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/05-20-02-0440-0002. [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Presidential Series, vol. 20, 1 April–21 September 1796, ed. David R. Hoth and William M. Ferraro. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2019, pp. 703–722.]
