This is a continuation of my series 15 Things You Must Read Before Voting.
ABOUT
George Washington set many precedents. He knew the nation revered him, yet instead of staying a third term as President, he simply slipped back to Mount Vernon after two terms: a legacy that would continue until Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1940. Washington, understanding his popularity with the people, decided to give advice in his farewell address. He encouraged the American’s to not form political parties, to avoid entangling alliances, and to keep religion in government. The latter two maxims served as cornerstones of our nation for the next Century, if not longer.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
Washington could have easily been America’s first dictator. However, he chose to step down after two terms as president. His uncanny self-discipline in giving up huge amounts of power in favor of a simple life is just one of Washington’s noble characteristics. Though his Presidency was ending, Washington’s legacy was just beginning.
MY ANALYSIS
As sad as it is to see a great leader recede from the public spotlight, Washington left with class, popularity and, most importantly, advice for the budding nation. The farewell address can be broken down into six parts:
I. Farewell
II. Benefits of a Federal System
III. The Danger of Political Parties
IV. Religion in Government
V. Public Credit
VI. Foreign Policy
I will continue my analysis based on this breakdown.
Part I: Farewell
Washington did not let his popularity or successes get to his head. “I have, with good intentions, contributed toward the organization and administration of the Government the best exertions of which a very fallible judgment was capable.” Contrast that statement to the nearly messianic role of politicians today — lawmakers who regularly guarantee everything short of pure nirvana. Instead of lauding his own intelligence, Washington claimed he was “Not unconscious in the outset 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.” Even after leading the Constitutional Convention, after leading the Continental Army, after giving birth to our nation, Washington still felt unqualified to be in such a powerful position. Washington’s presidency dripped in this humility, and perhaps because of his humble nature, he did not usurp powers.
Equally important was Washington’s belief in the principles that animated the nation. The Farewell had a “City upon a Hill” feeling to it, Washington hoped that:
…The happiness of the people of these States, under the auspices of liberty, may be made complete by so careful a preservation and so prudent a use of this blessing as will acquire to them the glory of recommending it to the applause, the affection, and the adoption of every nation which is yet a stranger to it.
Our cause is so right that if executed and preserved, other nations will look to the United States as a model.
Part II: Benefits of a Federal System
And to maintain these “auspices of liberty,” a functioning federal system was the only conduit. A National Government served as a link between regions and a moderator for sectional tensions. Through a national government, every region could afford to be symbiotic with the rest, allowing for an increase in national prosperity. For this reason, “it is of definite moment that you should properly estimate the immense value of your national union to your collective and individual happiness….” A union not only provides “exemption from those broils and wars between themselves which so frequently afflict neighboring countries not tied together by the same governments,” but also “all the parts combined can not fail to find in the united mass of means and efforts greater strength, greater resource, proportionately greater security from external nations….” Washington strongly believed in strength through union. After all, “Respect for [the nation’s] authority, compliance with its laws, acquiescence in its measures, are duties enjoined by the fundamental maxims of true liberty.” Protecting liberty through authority.
Part III: The Danger of Political Parties
Part II and Part III should remind you of Federalist 10; Part II concerns the benefits of federalism and Part III regards the dangers of faction. Washington’s fear of political parties is not ungrounded, “combinations or associations… are likely in the course of time and things to become potent engines by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people….” Since parties promote demagoguery, domestic tranquility will naturally suffer at the reins of these factious agencies.
The most unique critique of parties in Washington’s Farewell is the critique of party “spirit.” “The disorders and miseries which result gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual.” Another related quip from Benjamin Franklin, “They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.” The other problem with “party spirit” is that they “agitate the community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms.” Ultimately this behavior leads to sedition, perhaps even insurrection.
He does concede one benefit of a party system: “…parties in free countries are useful checks upon the administration of the government, and serve to keep alive the spirit of liberty.”
Washington also attacks unconventional interpretations of the founding documents, making the argument that “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 pretext.” The Constitution is a fixed contract, not something to be reevaluated and reinterpreted with time. “Specious” things may attract you, but that provides no justification for suspending the limits on the State.
The reason behind all these ideas are simple: “If in the opinion of the people the distribution or modification of the constitutional powers be in any particular wrong, let it be corrected by an amendment in the way which the Constitution designates.” So if you want government healthcare, then you must amend the Constitution, not simply pass a bill. After all, “…let there be no change by usurpation; for though this in one instance may be the instrument of good, it is the customary weapon by which free governments are destroyed.” We would not want that.
Part IV: Religion in Government
In this address, Washington lauds private morality as a dictate of public policy. He notes that “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness—these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens.” His views do not represent all of the founders, James Madison did not even support military chaplains. However, this emphasis on private virtue guiding public policy is critical. All hail the theocrat Washington.
He backs it up. “It is substantially true that virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government.” As I pointed out in my analysis of the Declaration of Independence, Lockean equality is rooted in Christianity. Christian values also play out in his foreign policy, “Observe good faith and justice toward all nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with all. Religion and morality enjoin this conduct.”
A final note from Washington, “Can it be that Providence has not connected the permanent felicity of a nation with its virtue?”
Part V: Public Credit
As we rack up trillions of dollars of national debt, politicians may want to take a look at this simple address from Washington. “As a very important source of strength and security, cherish public credit.” Well, so much for that. Though disregarded, this advice is still important.
“…avoiding likewise the accumulation of debt, not only by shunning occasions of expense, but by vigorous exertions in time of peace to discharge the debts which unavoidable wars have occasioned, not ungenerously throwing upon posterity the burden which we ourselves out to bear.”
**NO GENERATIONAL THEFT, NO ACCUMULATION OF DEBT, SHUN OCCASIONS OF EXPENSE, PAY YOUR OWN DEBT**
Where did we go wrong?
That is later on in the reading list.
Part VI: Foreign Policy
The most remembered part of Washington’s advise on foreign policy is “to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world…” He goes on to make the very famous claim that “honesty is always the best policy.”
As far as relating to other countries, “it must be unwise in us to implicate ourselves by artificial ties in the ordinary vicissitudes of her politics or the ordinary combinations and collisions of her friendships or enmities.” Why get involved in foreign relations that are not important for the preservation of liberty? How do unnecessary wars and violence advance the cause of limited government in the United States?
The merits of peace are obvious to Washington: “Harmony, liberal intercourse with all nations are recommended by policy, humanity, and interest.”
Conclusion:
All of this advice has been ignored or forgotten. Humility in the Presidency is an anomaly, if not extinct. The benefits of federalism have largely been tossed away through federal mandates and administrative agencies. Political parties and their inherent dangers are real and alive. God and religion were divorced long ago, to the point where the closest thing to religion in the state is secularism. Our debt has accumulated to astronomical proportions of our economy, ultimately costing future taxpayers. And for a century the United States has been involved in foreign affairs and entangling alliances.
Should we have listened to George Washington’s advice?
You decide.
For tomorrow, read The Law, by Bastiat.
teehee
[...] George Washington’s Farewell Address [...]