Washington's Farewell Address: Politics Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Paragraph.Sentence)

Quote #4

This government, the offspring of our own choice […] has a just claim to your confidence and your support. Respect for its authority, compliance with its laws, acquiescence in its measures, are duties enjoined by the fundamental maxims of true liberty. The basis of our political systems is the right of the people to make and to alter their constitutions of government. (16.4-6)

Here, Washington is reminding people that they chose this format of government, and therefore they should listen to it and obey its laws. It's an interesting mix of freedom and obedience.

Quote #5

[…] nothing is more essential than that permanent, inveterate antipathies against particular nations, and passionate attachments for others, should be excluded; and that, in place of them, just and amicable feelings towards all should be cultivated. The nation which indulges towards another a habitual hatred or a habitual fondness is in some degree a slave. (32.1-2)

Foreign policy is a big thing in Washington's farewell address since the country had been struggling for years with its relationships with Britain and France. The first president tries really hard in this speech to promote his ideas about how to deal with foreign relations—which is really to avoid them as much as possible. Neutrality FTW!