President Washington's Farewell Address

  After finishing Chapter 5 of Gordon Wood’s Empire of Liberty; A History of the Early Republic 1789-1815, I had to find “Washington’s Farewell  Address” to read for myself, which used to be required reading for public high school students.  I had yet to read it. I wouldn’t have been able to read it in high school, besides understand and appreciate its scholarship (It used to be read in the U.S. Congress frequently, probably during filibusters); however, I was awestruck by how much it meant to its author to publicize the advice derived from his deeply committed concern for the welfare of the infantile republic.   I’m curious as to whether presidential candidates would be able to identify their favorite parts.  

  I found much of it be useful for both our major political parties to keep in mind.  The address emphasizes the importance of eliminating debt during peace times, and revenue.  He also names religion and morality as indispensible supports to free republics, and the primary importance of institutions to diffuse knowledge as an enlightened public is essential to the structure of government.

My favorite clause is pertinent to today’s election year political wrangling:

 “There is an opinion that parties in free countries are useful checks upon the administration of the government and serve to keep alive the spirit of liberty. This within certain limits is probably true; and in governments of a monarchical cast, patriotism may look with indulgence, if not with favor, upon the spirit of party. But in those of the popular character, in governments purely elective, it is a spirit not to be encouraged. From their natural tendency, it is certain there will always be enough of that spirit for every salutary purpose. And there being constant danger of excess, the effort ought to be by force of public opinion, to mitigate and assuage it. A fire not to be quenched, it demands a uniform vigilance to prevent its bursting into a flame, lest, instead of warming, it should consume."