George Washington's Farewell Speech

Quotes and Analysis of Key points. PDF Included.

I have reviewed George Washington's Farewell Address, published in Senate Document No. 106-21. This address, given in 1796, is one of the most significant documents in American history. It contains Washington's advice and warnings for the young nation he helped establish. Below, I present some key quotes from the address along with my notes and analysis. If you’re not a member, consider becoming a member today. By subscribing, you'll get access to PDF, including my detailed analysis and excerpts from the original text. Your support enables me to continue providing unfiltered content.

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“But as it is easy to foresee that, from different causes and from different quarters, much pains will be taken, many artifices employed, to weaken in your minds the conviction of this truth; as this is the point in your political fortress against which the batteries of internal and external enemies will be most constantly and actively (though often covertly and insidiously) directed, it is of infinite moment that you should properly estimate the immense value of your national Union to your collective and individual happiness; that you should cherish a cordial, habitual, and immovable attachment to it” (George Washington, 2000, p. 7)

Washington knew many would come to poison the people’s minds. They’d tell the populace liberty isn’t what they need. He foresaw the future of the U.S., where people in power who don’t care about freedom would try everything to destroy what the people gained: a free nation. He saw a time when the King of England would rise again.

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“…watching for its preservation with jealous anxiety; discountenancing whatever may suggest even a suspicion that it can in any event be abandoned; and indignantly frowning upon the first dawning of every attempt to alienate any portion of our country from the rest, or to enfeeble (make weak) the sacred ties which now link together the various parts” (George Washington, 2000, p. 7)

Test all things. Believe no words. Read the body language of those who speak as you listen to their words. If anything contradicts the principles of the US, reject those individuals without hesitation.

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“The name of American, which belongs to you in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of patriotism more than any appellation (name or title) derived from local discriminations.” (George Washington, 2000, p. 7)

America must unite by its core values, not the values of the common good that many politicians wish the people to believe. The division seen today across party lines wasn’t a concept of the founding fathers.

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“With slight shades of difference, you have the same religion, manners, habits, and political principles. You have in a common cause fought and triumphed together. The independence and liberty you possess are the work of joint councils and joint efforts—of common dangers, sufferings, and successes.” (George Washington, 2000, p. 7)

The U.S. must unite, with slight variation, under one religion, political principles, and customs. Those who drive a wedge — traitors. They must be removed from positions of power without delay. Because when a free nation surrenders to the threats of tyrants, that nation is no longer free.