The Farewell

Jack Purce                                                                                                                              8/22/14

Chapter Four: "The Farewell"

        George Washington may be the most recognizable figure in all of American history. For many Americans, he is the most recognizable figure in all of history. This was no different in his own time, as he was often described as "The Father of our country" before there was even a country. There are legends surrounding his greatness, some true others fabricated, such as at Pittsburg in 1775, when a young Washington had joined with Daniel Boone to rally the survivors of an ill-fated expedition, despite having two horses shot out from under him an multiple bullet holes piercing his coat. Another being in Yorktown in 1781, when he insisted on standing out in the open with bullets and shrapnel flying around him so he could properly survey the field of action. His presence seemed almost Omni-potent, as he was a crucial figure in every major event in the revolutionary era. This is what made Washington's Farewell Address all the more important to the American people, and why it is still remembered to this day.

        It was the courier of New Hampshire that gave the title to this monumental event known as "Washington's Farewell Address." He was voluntarily relinquishing the power that came with being the President of the United States, and he created the two term tradition that would not be broken until Franklin D. Roosevelt, as it was not officially established until 1951 with the twenty-second amendment. Washington had threatened to retire before and insiders knew he had asked Hamilton to assist him with his address, so this did not come as much a shock to all. He was however leaving a country in a state of flux and uncertainty, and at the time there had never been an America without Washington in a position of power. Washington had always been a symbol of power, being six feet four inches he towered over most and was seemingly invincible. However, his mortality was become more and more clear to the to the public eye, as after being elected in 1790 he almost died of the flu and in 1794 he hurt his back horseback riding, something he was considered to the best at. This is why Ellis believes Washington decided it was time to retire and leave office. Often we are told it is because Washington felt that two terms was the appropriate amount of time for presidency, but this cannot be entirely true. Washington almost definitely would have won the next election, and would have been able to serve another four years, but he didn't want to take that risk. He wanted to show the American people he was leaving under his own power, and he believed that death was a reason a king should leave office. No word was more hated at the time than king, and Washington wanted nothing to do with the term whatsoever. By leaving after only a short eight years in office, a miniscule sentence compared to that of a king, he was demonstrating to the American people that no one man would be able to seize power. There are other theories to why Washington left office, one being Jefferson's in which he stated that Washington was succumbing to dementia and was no longer fit to serve in office. Nevertheless, what Washington did leave us with in his address was how our nation should stay strong, specifically through three major points.

        Washington believed that he had essentially placed a blueprint in his Farewell Address, and on that blueprint was the design to keep our nation strong. Ellis particularly emphasizes how Washington, while he wielded authority with power and grace, created his reputation through his ability to relinquish power. It was his ability to surrender power that made him so qualified to wield it properly. He also proved that victories are not what wins wars, as despite the many crushing defeats he experienced at the hands of the British army, Washington was able to maintain the Continental Army and that is what won them the war. HE would be able to transfer these principles into his political career, as it was his ability to maintain the American government and prevent the infantile America form collapsing. The country needed time more than easy victories in order to  succeed. Most importantly, Washington believed that in order to maintain national unity the United States needed to follow a strict policy of neutrality. Washington believed that his nation's future lied in the west, where there was a plentiful amount of physical wealth. This is one reason the eventual capital was moved to the Potomac region, as Washington believed it was prime location to expand into the west. Although this eventually was proven to be false, it demonstrated Washington's concern with western expansion, and in turn neutrality for this plan required peace. This would prove to be one of Washington's most controversial ideas, as he and John Jay would broker a treaty with England that favored their imports and guaranteed payments of debts. Many people would disagree with him on this matter as many believed he was betraying the principles of the American Revolution. Those people lacked Washington's foresight, as he was merely trying to avoid war with England and believed that England would triumph over France in the battle for world power. Many called for war with England, and Jefferson and Madison endeavored to negate Jay's Treaty, but Washington's popularity proved superior and they were unable to find votes. This may very well be where the feud between Jefferson and Washington really began.