On Feb. 22, we celebrate the birthday of our first president, George Washington. I like to take this occasion to reflect on his Farewell Address, a document filled with wisdom and warnings that remain as relevant today as they were over two centuries ago.
As Americans, we are among the most fortunate people on Earth, and no leader cared more about our ongoing welfare than Washington. His guidance on unity, government transparency, morality and the dangers of unchecked power serve as a beacon for us today.
One of Washington’s most pressing concerns was national unity. He urged Americans to strive for cohesion, warning that internal division would weaken the fabric of the nation.
Today, this message is more important than ever. We live in an era of deep political polarization, where partisanship often takes precedence over national interest. Washington foresaw the dangers of political parties and cautioned against them. We have ignored this advice, and the resulting divisions are evident in every aspect of governance and society.
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A government that distances itself from the people it serves ultimately losing its legitimacy.
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Washington also warned against “cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men” who seek to subvert the power of the people. Unfortunately, we see this reality unfolding at all levels of government, where transparency is often lacking.
I follow German news broadcasts and newspapers, and it is striking how much more transparency their government exhibits compared to our own. I recall a time in America when presidents regularly held press conferences and answered difficult questions.
Today, such engagement has dwindled, and even when the public goes to the effort to attend government meetings here in Cape May County, some government officials have the audacity to tell the person speaking not to expect them to answer. Washington understood that when power is taken away from the people and concentrated among a select few, liberty and freedom dwindle.
Another central theme in Washington’s address was the role of religion and morality in sustaining a just society. He argued that without religious principles, the integrity of oaths and the moral fabric of the nation would deteriorate. He asked, “Where is the security for our property if religious obligation deserts the oaths we take?” He firmly believed that national morality could not prevail if religion was excluded from public life. Today, we see a continued erosion of moral values in public discourse, further exacerbating societal discord.
Washington also warned against the abuse of public credit, a particularly relevant issue given our nation’s soaring debt. When he left office, the United States had a manageable financial structure, but today, we are running up deficits in the trillions annually. His cautionary words remind us of the dangers of fiscal irresponsibility and the long-term consequences of unchecked government spending.
Another issue Washington would likely be dismayed by is the way government has elevated itself above the people. In past decades, American leaders engaged with the public at the highest levels. Today, public interaction has diminished significantly.
Even at local meetings, a deputy assistant mayor of a tiny town will be asked to rise and be acknowledged while a president of the local hospital employing a thousand people goes unacknowledged. Why do the people allow government to put themselves forth as the pinnacle of society rather than a servant of the people?
A frequent complaint I hear is that individuals who enter government service quickly adopt an air of detachment, as though they are no longer part of the public they serve. Meanwhile, government continues to expand.
History teaches us that those in power inevitably seek more power. America’s founding was an anomaly – a nation built on the radical idea that people should govern themselves. However, the natural progression of power is toward centralization and control. Benjamin Franklin famously remarked, “It’s a republic – if you can keep it.”
As we reflect on Washington’s legacy, I encourage you to reread his Farewell Address. His insights on unity, transparency, morality and the dangers of unchecked power remain vital today. To honor his legacy, we must heed his warnings.
Quotes from the Bible
“But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant.” – Matthew 20:26
