Those of us who are over 35 or so years of age grew up in a different America. One of the things about the Presidency is that you're always somewhat apart. I've been talking a great deal about that lately, but tonight isn't for arguments, and I'm going to hold my tongue. We must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex, Ike said from the Oval Office on the night of January 17, his gray suit flickering on the black-and-white TV sets of the time. . Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. Or you could get a sense of patriotism from school. But in my mind it was a tall, proud city built on rocks stronger than oceans, wind-swept, God-blessed, and teeming with people of all kinds living in harmony and peace; a city with free ports that hummed with commerce and creativity. Common sense told us that when you put a big tax on something, the people will produce less of it. Instead of delivering the message to Congress, Washington instead delivered it directly to the American people in the pages of a Philadelphia newspaper on September 19, 1796. Farewell Address | Eisenhower Presidential Library They were cautionary touchstones of Washingtons final revolutionary act: a Farewell Address in which the nations first president voluntarily stepped down from power, establishing the two-term tradition. The period for a new election of a citizen to administer the executive government of the United States being not far distant, and the time actually arrived when your thoughts must be employed in designating the person who is to be clothed with that important trust, it appears to me proper, especially as it may conduce to a more distinct expression of the public voice, that I should now apprise you of the resolution I have formed, to decline being considered among the number of those out of whom a choice is to be made. And if all else failed you could get a sense of patriotism from the popular culture. And don't be afraid to see what you see. I've spoken of the shining city all my political life, but I don't know if I ever quite communicated what I saw when I said it. Some pundits said our programs would result in catastrophe. ``Tell us about the American miracle,'' he said. I've been thinking a bit at that window. While on the other side of the coin he was also trying to make the terrorists fear America, as well as seemingly disappointed in the terrorists who attacked. And the image that comes to mind like a refrain is a nautical one -- a small story about a big ship, and a refugee, and a sailor. All Rights Reserved. I think we have stopped a lot of what needed stopping. The sorrow -- the goodbyes, of course, and leaving this beautiful place. Farewell Address (1796) | Constitution Center Address 525 Arch Street Philadelphia, PA 19106 215.409.6600 Get Directions Hours Wednesday - Sunday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. New exhibit Back to all Documents Historic Document Farewell Address (1796) George Washington | 1796 Summary It's fragile; it needs production [protection]. You know, down the hall and up the stairs from this office is the part of the White House where the President and his family live. Almost all the world's constitutions are documents in which governments tell the people what their privileges are. This is the 34th time I'll speak to you from the Oval Office and the last. No valedictory victory lap, Washingtons farewell warning was a prescient document, full of durable wisdom that inspired and informed presidents from Lincoln to Eisenhower to Reagan and Obama, to name just a few. Farewell Address to the Nation | The American Presidency Project In all the changes to which you may be invited, remember that time and habit are at least as necessary to fix the true character of governments as of other human institutions; that experience is the surest standard by which to test the real tendency of the existing constitution of a country; that facility in changes, upon the credit of mere hypothesis and opinion, exposes to perpetual change, from the endless variety of hypothesis and opinion; and remember, especially, that for the efficient management of your common interests, in a country so extensive as ours, a government of as much vigor as is consistent with the perfect security of liberty is indispensable. George W. Bush's 9/11 Address to The Nation: Rhetorical Analysis Many saw in him a little of uncompromising investment in [], Thomas Jeffersons presidency would lead the America straight into the war. Follow him on Twitter at @JohnAvlon. This is not an example of the work written by professional essay writers. If and when they don't, at first pull your punches. Sometimes the speech is referred to as "Eisenhower's Farewell Address to the Nation," a clarification that isn't really necessary. By Appointment Only, Admissions & Discounts for March 24-Aug. 13, 2023. All Rights Reserved. This was one of the crowning achievements of the early American republic and an important precedent for future Presidents. And the fact is, ``parting is such sweet sorrow.'' Farewell Address January 17, 1961 This evening I come to you with a message of leave-taking and farewell, and to share a few final thoughts with you, my countrymen. The tone of the speech was also unusually reflective and personal. The basis of our political systems is the right of the people to make and to alter their constitutions of government. I believe that his logical appeal was very well put together, explaining how America was harmed but wouldnt be shaken was very good emotionally. The Persian Gulf is no longer a war zone. We've done our part. HISTORY reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate. The second-most-famous farewell address in presidential history was Dwight D. Eisenhower 's wise warning against the rise of the military-industrial complex. Stream U.S. Presidents documentaries and your favorite HISTORY series, commercial-free, Because they know that liberty, just as life itself, is not earned, but a gift from God, they seek to share that gift with the world. We meant to change a nation, and instead, we changed a world. In what follows, we will look at the topics of the speech - the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, hope, and the American spirit. 2019 Feb 27 [cited 2023 May 2]. The reason we used that Washington line was because a lot of times we all fall prey to this: We just accept people trying to divide us and tear us apart and convince us that one aspect of American society is inevitably corrupt or not to be trusted. Nothing is less free than pure communism -- and yet we have, the past few years, forged a satisfying new closeness with the Soviet Union. You know, down the hall and up the stairs from this office is the part of the White House where the President and his family live. And how stands the city on this winter night? I've been reflecting on what the past 8 years have meant and mean.