George Washington’s Farewell Address: Part Three, Debt and Neutrality
George Washington recognized that a nation with excessive debt would struggle to survive. Washington also knew from experience that all nations did what was in their own best interest, and encouraged America to be a friend to all and an enemy to none.
Tom Hand, creator and publisher of Americana Corner, discusses Washington’s thoughts on debt and foreign affairs, delivered in his Farewell Address, and why it still matters today.
Images courtesy of the Library of Congress, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Yale University Art Gallery, Six Nations Public Library, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Wikipedia.
In his Farewell Address, President Washington shared his thoughts on several topics, including the need for America to remain fiscally prudent and to avoid permanent foreign alliances that could pull America into a costly war. With the fighting raging again in Europe, this time thanks to Revolutionary France, and with much sentiment favoring the French, Washington felt it necessary to advise a neutral course for the United States.