Rick Allen: “Mr. President, Members of the Senate, it is my honor to read George Washington's Farewell Address. As a preface to…”

“Mr. President, Members of the Senate, it is my honor to read George Washington's Farewell Address. As a preface to reading this address, I would like to make a few remarks so that everyone gets the context of the Farewell Address of George Washington. In September of 1796, worn out by the burdens of the Presidency and attacks of political foes, George Washington announced his decision not to seek a third term. A student of history will see that Alexander Hamilton and James Madison left their fingerprints in helping President Washington compose this Farewell Address which is his political testament to the Nation. The Farewell Address, which was designed to inspire and guide future generations, set forth Washington's defense of his administration's record and embodied a classic statement of Federalist doctrine. Washington's principal concern was for the safety of the 8-year-old Constitution, and he believed the stability of the Republic was threatened by the forces of geographical sectionalism, political factionalism, and interference by foreign powers in the Nation's domestic affairs.”