Founding Father George Washington's Farewell Address

Founding Father George Washington took office in 1789 as our first president following his role as a leader of the Continental Army in the American Revolution. Many American victories were won under his command which included winning independence from Great Britain. President Washington’s strong values and principles helped a shape a nation in desperate need for guidance and leadership. James Monroe said to Thomas Jefferson, “Be assured, his influence carried this government.” (Personal communication, July 12, 1788). As his second term came to a close Washington wrote a Farewell Address to the American people to help guide them into the future. In the address he stressed, “The "national Union" formed the bedrock of "collective and individual happiness" for U.S. citizens. The name of American, which belongs to you, in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of Patriotism, more than any appellation derived from local …show more content…
He expresses the need for God to be a central figure throughout our nation because without Him there is no moral standard. Washington wrote, “Let it simply be asked, where is the security for prosperity, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths, which are the instruments of investigation in courts of justice?” (1796). He explains that without God our nation will fall apart due to the unawareness between right and wrong. He believed it was up to the people to demonstrate strong morals and in return the government would be able to create laws and policies upon a strong nation. Matthew Spalding states that “Washington’s statements about the importance of religion in politics must be understood in light of his equally strong defense of religious liberty.” (2012) Although George Washington believed that God should be incorporated for a moral basses he also believe in everyone’s right to practice their religion