Handout A: Excerpts from George Washington’s Farewell Address

Introduction: George Washington set the precedent of giving a Farewell Address to Americans upon leaving the office of the presidency. He used part of the address to give advice concerning foreign affairs. 

 

Observe good faith and justice towards all nations; cultivate peace and harmony with all… 

In the execution of such a plan 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 an habitual hatred or an habitual fondness is in some degree a slave. It is a slave to its animosity or to its affection, either of which is sufficient to lead it astray from its duty and its interest. Antipathy in one nation against another disposes each more readily to offer insult and injury, to lay hold of slight causes of umbrage, and to be haughty and intractable when accidental or trifling occasions of dispute occur… 

 The great rule of conduct for us in regard to foreign nations is, in extending our commercial relations, to have with them as little political connection as possible. So far as we have already formed engagements, let them be fulfilled with perfect good faith. Here let us stop. Europe has a set of primary interests, which to us have none, or a very remote relation… 

 It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world…