Chapter 4: Washington’s Warning

The seeds of partisan politics are already evident at the 1787 Constitutional Convention, with Federalists squaring off against Anti-Federalists and Southern supporters of slavery against Northern opponents.

But George Washington declines to embrace any labels, and becomes the only president ever elected as an avowed Independent. After eight years in office, however, he is well aware of the political parties taking shape around him and the potential hazards they portend for the unity and health of the republic. In his famous September 19, 1796 Farewell Address to the nation, Washington issues a warning about parties:

They serve to organize faction, to give it an artificial and extraordinary force; to put,
in the place of the delegated will of the nation the will of a party, often a small but
artful and enterprising minority of the community; and, according to the alternate
triumphs of different parties, to make the public administration the mirror of the
ill-concerted and incongruous projects of faction, rather than the organ of consistent
and wholesome plans digested by common counsels and modified by mutual interests.

(Beware) of the danger of Parties in the State, with particular reference to the founding
of them on geographical discriminations.

The alternate domination of one faction over another, shaped by the spirit of revenge,
natural to party dissension…is itself a frightful despotism….But it inclines the minds
of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual…and sooner or
later the chief of some prevailing faction…turns this disposition to his own elevation, on
the ruins of public liberty.

A wise people (will) discourage and restrain…the spirit of party. It agitates the
community with Ill founded jealousies and false alarms, kindles the animosity of
one part against another, foments occasionally riot and insurrection. It opens the
door…to corruption.