As President George Washington prepared to leave office after his first term was winding down, he asked his friend James Madison, himself a future president, to help him write a farewell address to the American people.
But things didn't go quite as planned. Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson were feuding. Each had his supporters and Washington feared those deep political divisions might wreck this fragile new nation.
So he stayed on for another term and in 1796 saw John Adams selected to succeed him in March of the following year. The farewell address was revised -Hamilton helped this time-and released to the public on Sept. 19, 1796-222 years ago today.
In the address, our first president talked about many things. He spoke on the unity of the nation and how all Americans, whether by birth or choice, owe their first allegiance to this republic.
He recognized that organizing political parties are a natural reaction of man, but remained skeptical of their influence. He gives his support to the Constitution and reminds his fellow citizens of its importance. He also reminded them that the document can change to suit changing needs-but only by amendment, not by popular opinion or whim.
He discussed faith and morality and the importance of each. And he talked about foreign relations and trade between nations.
All these things are as important today as they were back then.
One of the most striking passages in the letter is Washington's comments on national credit and debt. Our first president advised our nation to use credit sparingly and pay our debt's promptly. And that restrained spending along with revenue-taxes, however unpleasant they may be-are essential to keep this country on sound economic ground.
We have to wonder if anyone-Republican or Democrat-in his namesake city has ever read Washington's Farewell Address?