The Farewell Address: George Washington vs. Ronald Reagan

George Washington’s Farewell Address (1796) and Ronald Reagan’s Farewell Address (1989) were presented 193 years apart. Each captured the essence of their respective era and presented their personal visions for the future of the United States of America. I thought I would devote this week's column to comparing and contrasting what these two giants of American history had to say. Today, they speak to us through the distance of time, but often it is time that has added clarity to their thoughts and their advice.

George Washington did not publicly deliver his Farewell Address. Instead, it was first published as a letter in the Philadelphia Daily American Advertiser on September 19, 1796, and then in other newspapers around the country. He chose to communicate his message through written form rather than speaking it aloud, intending for the address to speak for itself. Written as he stepped down after two terms as the first President of the United States, it is a guide for preserving the fragile young Republic and provides a roadmap for unity, neutrality and moral governance.

Ronald Reagan’s Farewell Address, delivered on January 11, 1989, at the close of his two-term presidency, is a reflection on the triumphs of the modern era, particularly the end of the Cold War, and a celebration of America’s enduring role as a global leader.

Despite the nearly two centuries separating these addresses, both emphasize the critical values of unity, morality and civic responsibility that have always been the foundation of America, while at the same time offering distinct warnings and hopeful desires as shaped by their unique historical times.

Similarities

Patriotism and National Identity

Washington: Stressed the importance of unity, describing it as the cornerstone of the nation's independence and prosperity. He warned that sectionalism and factionalism could erode the young Republic.

Reagan: Celebrated the idea of America as a "shining city on a hill," a symbol of freedom and hope. He emphasized the need for citizens to cherish and protect the nation’s democratic principles.

Warnings for the Future

Washington: Warned against the dangers of political parties, sectional divides, foreign entanglements and excessive national debt, urging Americans to prioritize the collective good over personal or regional interests.

Reagan: Expressed concern about the potential erosion of civic pride and historical knowledge. He urged Americans to remain vigilant in preserving the principles of self-government and individual liberty.

Moral Values

Washington: Highlighted the essential role of morality and religion in sustaining a virtuous citizenry and maintaining the stability of the Republic.

Reagan: Echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the importance of traditional American values like freedom, faith and hard work as the foundation of the nation's strength.

Education

Washington: Advocated for an informed and educated populace, which he believed was crucial for safeguarding liberty and democratic governance.

Reagan: Urged parents and educators to instill in children a deep understanding of the country’s founding principles and history, to ensure the continuation of America’s democratic traditions.

Differences

Context of Leadership

Washington: Spoke at the birth of the Republic, focusing on creating a stable foundation for a fledgling nation. His address was forward-looking, emphasizing principles to guide future leaders and citizens.

Reagan: Delivered his speech during a period of triumph, reflecting on the Cold War victory and America’s role as a global superpower. His tone was more retrospective, celebrating achievements rather than setting out foundational principles.

Foreign Policy

Washington: Advocated for neutrality, warning against permanent alliances and entanglements in foreign affairs, as he believed they could threaten the nation’s independence.

Reagan: Highlighted America’s active role in global affairs, particularly its success in containing and defeating communism. His vision was one of engagement and leadership on the world stage.

Tone and Style

Washington: Solemn, reflective and cautionary. His address was a formal and philosophical document intended as enduring guidance.

Reagan: Optimistic, nostalgic and conversational. Delivered on live television, Reagan’s speech was a personal reflection designed to inspire and resonate with a modern audience.

Medium of Delivery

Washington: Published his address in newspapers, aiming to reach the literate elite and provide a lasting written legacy.

Reagan: Delivered his farewell on live television, speaking directly to millions of Americans and the global community, showcasing the evolution of communication.

Key Excerpts

Washington:

This government, the offspring of our own choice, uninfluenced and unawed, adopted upon full investigation and mature deliberation, completely free in its principles, in the distribution of its powers, uniting security with energy, and containing within itself a provision for its own amendment, has a just claim to your confidence and your support. Respect for its authority, compliance with its laws, acquiescence in its measures, are duties enjoined by the fundamental maxims of true liberty.

The basis of our political systems is the right of the people to make and to alter their constitutions of government. But the Constitution which at any time exists, till changed by an explicit and authentic act of the whole people, is sacredly obligatory upon all. The very idea of the power and the right of the people to establish government presupposes the duty of every individual to obey the established government.

Reagan:

I wasn't a great communicator, but I communicated great things, and they didn't spring full bloom from my brow, they came from the heart of a great nation -- from our experience, our wisdom, and our belief in the principles that have guided us for two centuries. They called it the Reagan revolution. Well, I'll accept that, but for me it always seemed more like the great rediscovery, a rediscovery of our values and our common sense.

This national feeling is good, but it won't count for much, and it won't last unless it's grounded in thoughtfulness and knowledge. An informed patriotism is what we want. And are we doing a good enough job teaching our children what America is and what she represents in the long history of the world?

And let me offer lesson number one about America: All great change in America begins at the dinner table.

Legacy

Both Washington and Reagan in their final messages to the nation transcended their immediate times to offer timeless principles for America’s endurance and prosperity. Washington’s sober warnings against division and entanglements resonated as a call to vigilance and restraint in governance, a cornerstone for a young Republic learning to stand on its own.

Reagan’s heartfelt optimism celebrated the triumphs of liberty and the promise of an enduring democratic legacy, urging Americans to continue striving toward their potential as a beacon for the world.

Together, these speeches stand as a testament to the enduring strength of American ideals and the responsibility of each generation to carry them forward with both humility and determination. In Washington's and Reagan's words, we find both a compass and a call to action—a reminder that the future of the nation is as much shaped by its citizens as by its leaders.