One of the distinguished part of his message was his warning about building an alliance with other nations. While he did not promote total disengagement from foreign countries, he expressed fear that developing a permanent alliance with other nations can be detrimental to the national interest. He pointed out that the country may establish foreign alliance only under extraordinary circumstances.
The U.S has heeded Washington’s warning about developing foreign alliances, and this was especially so in terms of wars. While Europe was keen on engaging with different wars, America maintained that there are other means to achieve freedom and democracy other than war engagements. However, the non-alliance perspective was challenged with the onset of the 20th century. For example, while the U.S tried to distance itself with the mounting war in the early part of the 20th century, the provocation of Germany in attacking American ships resulted in the engagement of the United states with World War I. While this can be viewed as the first instance when Washington’s message on non-alliance was disregarded, it was in fact, a necessary emergency because the US cannot keep a blind eye on an apparent attack against its sovereignty. Several wars later would end the non-alliance perspective which was encouraged by Washington. Currently, the rapid globalization and the leading role of the Unites States in world affairs inhibited the observance of non-alliance with other foreign nations.
George Washington also reiterated the significance of religion and morality in the American society. He wrote, “ where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths, which are the instrument of investigation in Court Justice” (Washington). It is difficult to assess the manner by which people have adhered or strayed from his advice, especially so during this period of deep diversity, and the acceptance of new societal standards in the country. There are those who claimed that the Americans have strayed so far, citing the prevalent cases of divorce, the recent legalization of same-sex marriage, and the rampant atheism. Nevertheless, some people believed that the Americans have maintained a decent sense of morality according to how Washington hoped.
Somewhere in near the middle of his farewell address, Washington stressed that the Americans should “avoid the necessity of those overgrown military establishments, which under any form of government, are inauspicious to liberty, and which are to be regarded as particularly hostile to republican liberty” (Washington). In this instance, the Americans today has one of the most powerful military forces globally. While this is a deviation from the advice of president Washington, the powerful military establishments are necessary in the current times due to several threats to the sovereignty of the country. For example, it was needed during the time of the Gulf War, where international peace was threatened by the wicked intent of one leader to invade a smaller and weaker state in the Gulf region.
He also advised about the imposition of taxes by the government, he wrote, “no taxes can be devised which are not more or less inconvenient and unpleasant” (Washington). Accordingly, the government has adhered to the principle of not burdening the people of unnecessary taxes. The taxes imposed currently were justifiable, and are just parallel to the many benefits received by the American from the government.
Works Cited
Washington, George. “Farewell Address.” A Patriot’s Handbook: Songs, Poems, Stories, and Speeches Celebrating the Land We Love. Comp. Caroline Kennedy. New 2 York: Hyperion, 2003. 34-40. Print
