Look closely again at Washington's 1796 Farewell Address.

In 1.5-3 pages (Times New Roman, 12-point font, 1" margins, double-spaced) indicate in what areas you think the nation is heeding Washington's advice, all of these centuries later, and in what ways we are not. Was President Washington's Farewell Address profound, or was John Adams correct in belittling it, as he did in a letter to Benjamin Rush in 1812?

It would be easy my Friend to compose an Address which should contain nothing but obvious Truths that all Men would at once approve. Such was Washington[']s. Religion, Morality, Union, Constitution. Who even among the Atheists, The despisers and abhorrers of the Constitution, the Disorganizers and Promoters of a Northern Confederacy, would dare publickly to attack such Topics? What good has Washingtons Address done? Both Parties quote it as an oracle. But neither Party cares one farthing about it. With the knowing ones of both Parties it is known to have no weight but as Argumentum ad hominum to the ignorant of both sides. Such an Address would not be worth my while. (John Adams to Benjamin Rush, 12 September 1811).

In your essay, give specific illustrations throughout, both from Washington's address and from today.