Understanding Washington's Farewell Address Paperback (Hand-Revised Edition)

For over 200 years, the renowned "Farewell Address" by the first U.S. President, George Washington, has been highly praised and profoundly influential. Since 1893, every year on Washington's birthday, the U.S. Senate selects a senator to read this address to commemorate the Father of the Nation. The House of Representatives also adopted this tradition in 1899 and maintained it until 1984. This book provides a paragraph-by-paragraph interpretation of this deeply moving address, taking you into Washington's inner world to experience his noble character and broad vision, comprehend his extraordinary wisdom and statesmanship, and explore the secret behind Americans' freedom and prosperity.

About the Authors

Paul Skousen is an American constitutional scholar, author, and university professor with extensive and in-depth research on the U.S. Constitution and the socialization of America. He served at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and was President Reagan's White House intelligence officer. He holds a master's degree in National Security Studies from Georgetown University and a journalism degree from Brigham Young University. He has authored 15 books.

Fang Wei is a veteran media professional, American common sense scholar, and high-tech expert, with over 30 years of experience in the technology and media industries. He has founded multiple media and technology companies and hosted and participated in programs such as "Fang Wei Time," "Entering America," and the large-scale historical series "Stories of American History." He has in-depth research on American history and contemporary affairs. Fang Wei graduated from Fudan University in Shanghai and obtained a master's degree in computer science from the University of Iowa in the United States.

Introduction

U.S. Senate Historical Office

In September 1796, burdened by the presidency and criticized by political adversaries, George Washington announced he would not seek a third term. With the assistance of Alexander Hamilton and James Madison, Washington drafted a farewell address as his political testament to the nation. This address was not only meant to inspire and guide future generations but also served as a strong defense of his administrative achievements and a classic articulation of Federalist principles.

Washington's primary concern was the security of the Constitution, which had been established eight years prior. He believed that local interests, partisan struggles, and foreign interference in American domestic affairs threatened the stability of the Republic. He urged the American people to set aside partisan disputes for the sake of national interest. At the time, political parties were not widely accepted as important organizations outside the Constitution, and Washington worried that these factional disputes would sow the seeds of national demise.

Washington was not the founder of American isolationism. He believed that temporary alliances with other countries were necessary in "extraordinary emergencies." However, he did not recommend establishing "permanent alliances" with foreign nations, warning that such relationships would inevitably erode America's national interests.

Washington did not publicly read his "Farewell Address." The manuscript was first published on September 19, 1796, in the Daily American Advertiser in Philadelphia, and subsequently appeared in major newspapers nationwide.

In January 1862, when the Constitution faced the threat of civil war, 1,000 citizens of Philadelphia petitioned Congress, requesting that to commemorate Washington's 130th birthday, the "Washington's Farewell Address be publicly read in the House of Representatives or Senate of Congress on that morning." Both the Senate and House agreed to gather in the House chamber on February 22, 1862, where Senator John W. Forney read the "Farewell Address." An eyewitness recalled the scene as deeply moving.

However, the reading of the "Farewell Address" did not immediately become a tradition. It was not until 1888 in the Senate and 1899 in the House that it began to be read during regular legislative sessions. The House maintained this tradition until 1984.

Since 1893, and to this day, the Senate has commemorated the Father of the Nation by selecting a senator to read the "Farewell Address" on Washington's birthday. This task alternates between senators from the two major political parties. Each time the selected senator finishes reading, they sign a black leather-bound commemorative book kept by the secretary and offer a brief address.

The speech transcript presented in this book is taken from the final original manuscript housed in the New York Public Library, kindly provided by The Papers of George Washington. Only spelling, capitalization, and punctuation have been modernized.

Table of Contents

Recommended Preface
Introduction
Foreword
Chapter One: I Will Not Seek a Third Term
Chapter Two: Protecting the Union
Chapter Three: The Dangers of Partisan Politics (Part One)
Chapter Four: The Dangers of Partisan Politics (Part Two)
Chapter Five: Amending the Constitution
Chapter Six: Religious Belief and Morality
Chapter Seven: Taxation and Debt
Chapter Eight: Foreign Relations
Chapter Nine: Foreign Powers
Chapter Ten: Conclusion

Book Details

Publisher: Genesis Press
ISBN: 978-1-963236-22-4
Pages: 112 pages
Text Language: Traditional Chinese
Publication Date: First Edition released on September 28, 2024

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