On this day in history 1796: George Washington’s Farewell Address

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Washington%27s_Farewell_Address

>It is a classic statement of republicanism, warning Americans of the political dangers which they must avoid if they are to remain true to their values.

>Washington began his warnings to the American people by stressing that their independence, peace at home and abroad, safety, prosperity, and liberty are all dependent upon unity among the states. As a result, he warns them that the union of states created by the Constitution will come under the most frequent and focused attacks by foreign and domestic enemies of the country.

>Washington warns the people that political factions may seek to obstruct the execution of the laws created by the government, or to prevent the branches of government from enacting the powers provided them by the constitution. Such factions may claim to be trying to answer popular demands or solve pressing problems, but their true intentions are to take the power from the people and place it in the hands of unjust men.

>Washington recognizes that it is natural for people to organize and operate within groups such as political parties, but he also argues that every government has recognized political parties as an enemy and has sought to repress them because of their tendency to seek more power than other groups and to take revenge on political opponents.[4] He feels that disagreements between political parties weakened the government.

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FULL TEXT: http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=65539