We have a republic form of government, where affairs of state are conducted publicly and the citizens conduct their affairs for their own benefit rather than for the benefit of a ruler. Historically, republics have not always been democratic like ours is. For example, the ancient Republic of Venice was ruled by aristocratic elite.

It was during President George Washington’s two terms as president when our fledgling nation was operating as our Founding Fathers had intended our government to run. That was because there were no political parties.  The reason that was so was because the representative governments were in the hands of the people rather than the political parties. The advent of political parties caused the shift of concentration of power from the people to the political parties, which clearly caused great dissension among those who felt they no longer were included as being part of the political process. This realization didn’t occur all at once, but rather, developed very gradually over many years.

One thing I’ve discovered by studying our political system and the part political parties play in influencing political thought and outcome is that I have become convinced that political parties have destroyed our politicians ability to compromise expeditiously and comprehensively to include all Americans.  During Washington’s presidency, the politicians who were part of his administration and the politicians who represented the branches of his government were able to put aside their selfish interests in their effort to work for the greater good, which was to accommodate the needs of all Americans. After Washington’s presidency and political parties were formed, the political power gradually shifted from “the People,” to the parties’ political biases, depending upon the prejudices that each party represented.

George Washington ran unopposed in the first two presidential elections, but ever since 1796, the first election in which there were two competing candidates, John Adams, a Federalist, and Thomas Jefferson, the head of the Democratic-Republican party, or Jeffersonian Republicanism, the viciousness between the two political parties commenced. It was at that point where one political party had always tried to utterly destroy the other.

An example of the bitterness that prevailed between political parties, even as early as their initial formation, was when what transpired between Hamilton and Jefferson during their inception of serving their respective political parties.

Washington was more sympathetic with Hamilton’s political views than with Jefferson’s. When Jefferson tried to undermine Hamilton’s attempts to expand our country’s banking pursuits and Washington heard of it, Washington seriously considered dismissing Jefferson from his cabinet. However, Jefferson resigned before that decision was made. Washington never forgave him for trying to undercut what he and Hamilton were trying to do, as a result, after Jefferson left his cabinet post, Washington never spoke to him again.

Although Washington never officially joined the Federalist Party, he supported its programs. The reason he did that was because he never wanted to be a member of any political party since he hoped they would never be formed. He feared the conflict that would ensue would undermine the government’s republicanism, which, as we know, has indeed been the case over the years. Our Constitution is no longer one written for the “common man,” as envisioned by Washington and his fellow Founding Fathers or written of, by and for the people, as President Lincoln had perceived the Constitution as encompassing. The reason that’s hardly the case is because only the rich and powerful are able to serve in Congress and become President of the United States.

In his Farewell Address, to promote the strength of the Union, Washington urged the people to place their identity as Americans above their identities as members of a state, city, or region, and focus their efforts and affection on the country above all other local interests. Washington realized that could only be achieved through political compromise, where the politician is able to put aside their own selfish interests for something greater themselves, which is to focus on what’s good for the country, rather than their own or their political party needs.

Washington’s public political address covered many issues, however, the one that “rang my bell,” warned against “bitter partisanship in domestic politics and called for men to move beyond partisanship and serve the common good.”

Now I ask you, being as objective as you can be, do you think future politicians, or those who read his Farewell Address during or after Washington’s time, first of all, ever read the address or if they did, followed his prescription to assure our country’s longevity as a Democracy and a republic? Considering the state our Union is in today, I think as time passed Washington’s words of wisdom passed with it.