Washington's Farewell Address

President Washington

Coming to the end of his second term in office, in September of 1796 newspapers across America published what came to be known as President George Washington's "Farewell Address". Although it was written in the form of a speech it was never delivered in public.

In this final address before entering private life, Washington gives a noteworthy and memorable "speech". Among other things, he mentions the importance of maintaining the union, talks of the "insidious wiles of foreign influence", to beware the dangers of party politics and to "cherish public credit." Much of the speech was directed towards future presidential administrations and generations of Americans to come, but unfortunately, President Washington's wise and prophetic advice has been all too often ignored.