LAD #7: Washington's Farewell Address

In his Farewell Address, Washington not only thanks the American people for their support for his policies, but also stipulates many political virtues and warnings against their subordinates that, if left unimpeded, will plague the union, unravelling it like a ball of yarn. He expresses the idea that the American people are one, singular body, held together by their love of liberty and their shared political beliefs. Washington claims that the multiple sects of America's frontier (the North, South, Western frontier, and Atlantic) are interconnected through communication and economic lines.  In no way are even the strictest of alliances between them stronger than their unity under one body of government. While promoting unity he also warns against foreign influence that can easily sway and bias the factions of the American people. The factions should also be checked, for zealous leaders can use the peoples' support to control the government and repeal the liberties that they used to usurp their power. Washington also speaks his fears that the Constitution could be radically altered by the passions of inflamed groups of men (notably dominant political parties that will act in revenge) resulting in dissension. To combat these vices Washington calls for the spread of knowledge and religious piety, promoting national morality and reason, which he believes are key in the preservation of liberty and union.