“... a solicitude for your welfare… and the apprehension of danger… urge me, on an occasion like the present, to offer to your solemn contemplation… some sentiments which are the result of much reflection, of no inconsiderable observation, and which appear to me all-important to the permanency of your felicity as a people” (paragraph 1 of Washington’s Farewell Address). The first President of the United States of America set many precedents in office, including, but not limited to his refusal to run for a third term and his decision to give a farewell address. With a newly formed United States of America in a disarray, and with no president to lead it, the Continental Congress met once again: this time, to select the nation’s first president.
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While the constitution does limit the powers of the government, Washington’s goal is to help the people explain that balance between all departments and branches is absolutely essential to the well-being of the entire nation. As Washington points out in his farewell address, “... those entrusted with its administration, to confine themselves within their respective constitutional spheres, avoiding in the exercise of the powers of one department to encroach upon another… necessity of reciprocal checks in the exercise of political power, by dividing and distributing it… ” (paragraph 3). Being the first president, Washington had set the precedent of appointing the heads of departments, and wanted things to be kept orderly that way. Hamilton was the Secretary of Treasury, but had gotten into arguments with Jefferson over the affairs of State, and vice versa, with Jefferson opposing Hamilton’s efforts to alleviate the burden of the national debt. It was in Washington’s hopes that his caution to the nation will prevent this in the future, where different departments try to do each other’s jobs. Checks and balances was also a warning for the government to be careful. While quite the explosive pair, Hamilton and Jefferson did provide different views to Washington: The federal government should be strong enough to create and enforce all its laws, but not able to abuse its power (Hamilton’s opinion); the …show more content…
Washington made these statements in hopes that they will be followed and referenced in the future, since the issues he addressed had already been developing while he was in office. As time passed, political parties did form, although they do not split the country into parts; rather, they organize the American people according to their political beliefs. The United States of America does fight wars that were not provoked by a direct assault upon US land, but helping other nations that do not have the resources of the USA is seen as a duty, and is done with a good heart and the well-being of the people in mind. Though currently without permanent alliances, the USA does take sides in international conflicts and form alliances, many of which have proven extremely useful over the years, and serves to strengthen the country. By choosing to not follow Washington’s advice, the United States of America has had many problems since its creation over 200 years ago. However, Washington need not have worried overmuch, as our nation is still here standing today, and
While the constitution does limit the powers of the government, Washington’s goal is to help the people explain that balance between all departments and branches is absolutely essential to the well-being of the entire nation. As Washington points out in his farewell address, “... those entrusted with its administration, to confine themselves within their respective constitutional spheres, avoiding in the exercise of the powers of one department to encroach upon another… necessity of reciprocal checks in the exercise of political power, by dividing and distributing it… ” (paragraph 3). Being the first president, Washington had set the precedent of appointing the heads of departments, and wanted things to be kept orderly that way. Hamilton was the Secretary of Treasury, but had gotten into arguments with Jefferson over the affairs of State, and vice versa, with Jefferson opposing Hamilton’s efforts to alleviate the burden of the national debt. It was in Washington’s hopes that his caution to the nation will prevent this in the future, where different departments try to do each other’s jobs. Checks and balances was also a warning for the government to be careful. While quite the explosive pair, Hamilton and Jefferson did provide different views to Washington: The federal government should be strong enough to create and enforce all its laws, but not able to abuse its power (Hamilton’s opinion); the …show more content…
Washington made these statements in hopes that they will be followed and referenced in the future, since the issues he addressed had already been developing while he was in office. As time passed, political parties did form, although they do not split the country into parts; rather, they organize the American people according to their political beliefs. The United States of America does fight wars that were not provoked by a direct assault upon US land, but helping other nations that do not have the resources of the USA is seen as a duty, and is done with a good heart and the well-being of the people in mind. Though currently without permanent alliances, the USA does take sides in international conflicts and form alliances, many of which have proven extremely useful over the years, and serves to strengthen the country. By choosing to not follow Washington’s advice, the United States of America has had many problems since its creation over 200 years ago. However, Washington need not have worried overmuch, as our nation is still here standing today, and