LAD #6

Washington's Farewell Address 1796: Summary

Washington is addressing the American citizens before he retires. He thanks them for their continued support in his presidency, and says it is time for him to retire. However, he asks them to seriously consider their votes for the next American leader and asks them to choose wisely. Washington addresses his efforts at creating the nation that the American people dreamed of, and assures Americans that he did his best in running the country. Although he recognizes he was not a perfect leader, he believes he had the heart and the spirit of a great American, and has helped the new country to grow in a positive way. Washington is deeply grateful to his country, America, for the honors and confidence it gave him. Washington appreciates America so much because he fought so hard for it and put everything on the line for it. Washington stresses how important American unity is, because without unity, it cannot be guaranteed that every citizen will fully experience his or her natural rights. According to Washington, American citizens must always be patriotic and show great respect for the country they worked so hard to establish. Washington also urges Americans not to become too caught up in political parties or differences because these differences decrease American unity. The Constitution should always be referred to as a guide for running the country sufficiently, and to preserve the government. It is also important to remember that not one branch of the goverment has more power over the other two; if this occurs the democratic-style government begins to be impaired. Americans should always show a pride for their country, a pride similar to that shown by the founding fathers. If Americans remain patriotic people who truly care about their country, America will remain the country Washington set out for it to become. Washington is very thankful for his country, for the American people, and for all the blessings America has bestowed upon him.