The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-07-04
FAREWELL ADDRESS
OLE GEOR0W WA6HINGTON, PHhsIDHNT
To the people IF the United States, Septen'-
Der II, 1876.

Ocf -, 49,
Friends and FsiiOtc- citizens:
The period for a new election of citizen to adj
,nipister the Executive Government Of the United
States being not far distant, and the time actually
arrived when your thoughts must be employed in
designating the person who Is to be clothed with
that important trust il appears 10 me proper espe-
ciaily it may conduce To more distinct expires
sion Of the public voice, that should now apprise
you of the resolution have formed, to decline be-
ing considered among the number OF those out oil
whom n choice is to be made.
beg you, at the same time. to do me the justice
be that this resolution has not been taken
without strict regard to all the considerations APP
pertaining the relation which binds dutifui c'ti
zen to his country; and that, ia withdrawing the
tender of service. which silence. In my situation .
might imply am influenced by no diminution OF
zeal for Your future interest; no deficiency OF CRATE
full respect for your past kindness; but support
ed by full conviction that the step is compatible
with both
The acceptance Of and continuance hitherto in,
the Office to which your suffrages have twice called
me- have been uniform sacrifice Of inclination to
the opinion OF duty, and TO adherence for whatap-
peared To be your desire. constantly hoped that
ii would have been much earlier in my power, con
sstently with motives which was not at liberty to
disregard, to return to that retirement from which
had been reluctantly drawn. The strength of my
inclination to do this, previous to the last election
had even led to the preparation OF an addrcs to de-
clare ii to you; but mature reflection on the then
perplexed and critical posture of our affairs with
foreign nations, and the unanimous advice OF per-
entitled TO my confidence, lnpelled Inc ~
abandon the idea
rejoice that the state OF your concerns, external
well as internal, no longer renders the pursuit
OF inclination incompatible with the sentiment OF
duty proprieiy; and am persuaded, whatever
partiaty may be retained for my services that, in
The present circumstances VI our country, you will
not disapprove my determination to retire.
The impressions with which first undertook the
arduous trust explained on the proper
sion In the discharge Of this trust will only say,
that have with good intentions contributed towards
the organization and administration Of the Govern
Inent the beat exertion Of which very failible
Judgment was capable. Not unconscious III the
outset Of the nferiority Of my qualifications, expe
rience, in my own eyesperhaps still more in the
eyes OF others strengthened the motives to diff
fdcnce Of myself; and every day the incrcasn e
weight Of years admonishes me, more and more,
that the shade OF retirement Is necessary to me
a4 il will be welcome. Satisfied that if any circun
stances have given ccuar value To my services,
they were temporary, have the consolation to be-
leve that while choice and prudence invite me to
quit the political scene patriotism docs not forbid IT.
la looking forward to the moment which ID IN
tended TO terminate the of my public life, my
feelings do not permit me to suspend the deep &C
KIN .wledgment of that debt of gratitude which ]
TO my beloved country for the many donors it
has conferred upon me- still more for the stcadfast
confidence with which it has supported Inc; and for
the opportunities have thence enjoyed of m ipifest
ing my inviolablc attachment, by services faithful
ind perseyering, though III usefulness unequal to
my zeal II benefits have resulted to country
from these services, let it always be remembered TO
your praise and an instructive example in our
annals, tina. under circumstances in which the pas
sions, agiiated in every direction, were liable 10
rnislead amidst appearances sometimes dubious,
vcissitudes of fortune often discouragn in situa
tons in which, not unfrequently, want of success
has countenanccd the spirit Of critcism-the con
stancy Of your support the essential prop OF tie
efforts, and guarantee of the plans, by which they
were Effected
Profoundly penetrated with this idea, ! shall
carry it with Inc to my grave, Ar a strong incite-
that Heaven NAV con-
tinuc to you the choicest tokens of its beneficenco;
that your union and brotherly affection may be per-
petual; that the free Constitution, which 10 the
Arork Of your hands, may be sacredly maintained;
that its administration, in every department. may
be stamped with wisdom and virtue; that, in fine,
che happiness Of the people Of these States, under
tlic auspices OF liberty, may be made complete, by
careful preservation and so prudent use of
this blessing as will acquire to them the glory Of
recommending IL ~ the applause, the affection, and
the adoption OF every nation which Is yet stranger
10 it.
Here, perhaps, ought to stop; but socitude
for your welfare, which cannot end but with my
life and the apprehension of danger natural TO that
socitude, urge me, ON an occasion like the pres
ent To offer to your solemn contemplation, and 10
recommend to your frequent review, some sent
menls, which are the result OF much reflection, 81
no uncomfortable observation and which appear to
all-important to the permanency OF your fehclty
as a people. These will be afforded To you with
tbc more freedom, you can only see in them tho
.iSinicrcsted warnings of parting friend, who
can possibly have no personal motive 10 plss MS
counsel; nor can forget, Ms an encouragement TO
il, your induigent reception Of my sentiments on a
former and not dssimilar occasion.
interviewer is the love of liberty with every
ligamcnt of your hearts, no recommendation OF
mine is necessary TO fortify or confirm the attach
aent
The unity Of government, which constitutes you
one people is also dear to you 1t is justly so;
for il il a main pillar in the ediiicc of your real in
dependence-the support oI your tranquility NJ
home, your peace abroad. of your safety, OF your
prosperity, of that very liberty which You 40 highly
prize. hut IL is easy TO foresce that, from dier
ent causes and from different quarters, much pains
will be taken many artifces employed, TO weaken
your minds the conviction of this TRUTH IA this
is the point in your political fortress against which
thc batteries of internal and external enemies Will
bc most constantly and actively (though often CO.
verify and iasidiously) directed,-t is of infinite
saomcnt that you should properly estimate the i'm
nense value OF your national union to your collcc-
tive and individual happiness; that you should
cherish cordial, hsbitusl, and imrnovsble attach
mcnt 10 IL; accustoming yourselves to think aud
speak Of IL as Of the palladium of your political
raicty and prosperity; watching Tor its pres tva-
ton with jealous nYiety; dscountcnancing what
ever may suggest even suspicion that IL can ~
any event, be abandoned; and Indignantly frovn-
ing upon the first dawning OF every attempt 10
aliensie any portion OF our country from the rest
10 enf-cble the sacred tics which now link to-
gcfhcr the various parts.
For this you have every induccment Of sympathy
and interest Citizens by birth or choice, Of com
tratc your affections. The name Of american.
which belongs Ia you in your national capacity,
must always erat tho just pride OF patriotism, more
than any sppeaton derived from local discrimi-
nations With slight shades of difference, you
have the same eligIon, manners, hobiis, and polt
zeal principles You have. in common clusc
fought and triumpbed togetber the independence
and liberty you possess arc the work Of joint coun-
scls and point efforts, Of common dangers, suffer
iogs, and suocesscs.
But these considerations, however powerfully
they address Themselves 10 your scnsibility, are
greatly OuIweighcd by tbo-e which apply more i'm
mcdiatcly 10 your interest; here every portion of
our country inds the most commanding motives
for carefully guarding and preserving the union Of
che whole.
The North. in unrcstraincd intercourse with
the South, protected by the equal laws Of
mon government, finds, in the productions Of the
latter great additional of maritime and
commercial enterprise and precious materials OF
manufacturing industry. The South in the same in
tereourse. beTrhtung by the agency Of the North.
secs ts agriculturs grow, and tie commerce cxpa
Turning partly into its channels the seanen OF
The North, finds its partcu,r navigation invigora
ted and while IL contributes. IN different ways TO
nourish and increase the general mass of the ma
tional navigation IL looks forward 10 N,o protcc-
fion al maritime 9TH TO which itseil n. mn.