Editing George Washington (section)

===Farewell Address===
{{Main|George Washington's Farewell Address}}
[[File:Washington's Farewell Address.jpg|thumb|alt=Newspaper showing Washington's Farewell Address|[[George Washington's Farewell Address|Washington's Farewell Address]], published by the ''[[Pennsylvania Packet|American Daily Advertiser]]'' on September 19, 1796]]

At the end of his second term, Washington retired. He was dismayed with the personal attacks against him and wanted to ensure that a truly contested presidential election could be held. He did not feel bound to a two-term limit, but his retirement set a significant precedent.{{sfn|Peabody|2001|pp=440&ndash;446}} In May 1792, in anticipation of his retirement, Washington instructed James Madison to prepare a "[[Valedictorian|valedictory address]]", an initial draft of which was entitled the "Farewell Address".{{sfn|Spalding|Garrity|1996|pp=46–47}} In May 1796, Washington sent the manuscript to Hamilton, who did an extensive rewrite, while Washington provided final edits.{{sfnm|Flexner|1972|1p=292|Chernow|2010|2pp=752–753|3a1=Spalding|3a2=Garrity|3y=1996|3p=4744|Hayes|2017|4pp=287–298}} On September 19, 1796, David Claypoole's ''[[Pennsylvania Packet|American Daily Advertiser]]'' published the address.{{sfnm|Chernow|2010|1p=754|Avlon|2017|2pp=89&ndash;90}}

Washington stressed that national identity was paramount, and said that the "name of AMERICAN... must always exalt the just pride of patriotism".{{sfnm|Chernow|2010|1p=755|Nowlan|2014|2pp=55&ndash;56}} Washington warned against the dangers of political parties and entangling foreign alliances with domestic affairs.{{sfnm|1a1=Randall|1y=1997|1p=492|2a1=Spalding|2a2=Garrity|2y=1996|2pp=48, 72}} He counseled friendship and commerce with all nations, but advised against involvement in European wars.{{sfnm|1a1=Fishman|1a2=Pederson|1a3=Rozell|1y=2001|1pp=119–120|2a1=Gregg|2a2=Spalding|2y=1999|2pp=199–216}} He stressed the importance of religion, asserting that "religion and morality are indispensable supports" in a republic.{{sfn|Chernow|2010|p=133}}

He closed the address by reflecting on his legacy: "I fervently beseech the Almighty to avert or mitigate the evils to which [my unintentioned errors] may tend. I shall also carry with me the hope that my country will never cease to view them with indulgence, and that, after forty-five years of my life dedicated to its service with an upright zeal, the faults of incompetent abilities will be consigned to oblivion, as myself must soon be to the [[John 14|mansions of rest]]."{{sfn|Avlon|2017|p=280}} After initial publication, many Republicans, including Madison, criticized the address and described it as an anti-French campaign document, with Madison believing that Washington was strongly pro-British.{{sfn|Spalding|Garrity|1996|p=143}} In 1972, the Washington scholar [[James Thomas Flexner|James Flexner]] referred to the Farewell Address as receiving as much acclaim as Thomas Jefferson's [[United States Declaration of Independence|Declaration of Independence]] and [[Abraham Lincoln]]'s [[Gettysburg Address]].{{sfnm|1a1=Flexner|1y=1972|1p=292|2a1=Spalding|2a2=Garrity|2y=1996|2p=142}} In 2010, Chernow called the "Farewell Address" one of the most influential statements on [[republicanism]].{{sfn|Chernow|2010|pp=752–754}}