George Washington Character Analysis

Lincoln brings up George Washington (1732–1799) in his Farewell Address in order to imbue the moment with a sense of momentousness and history, but also to make his point that success ultimately depends on the grace of God. As a Founding Father of the United States and the nation’s first president, Washington carries a great amount of weight for any American listening to Lincoln’s speech. By alluding to Washington when discussing the task he has before him, Lincoln places himself in the lineage of American leaders and draws a direct line between 1776 and the current moment. While honoring Washington, Lincoln nevertheless claims that his own presidency will be more challenging than that of the first president. Through this assertation, he comments on the severity of the growing conflict between the North and the South, all while underlining his own humility and seriousness regarding the job he has been elected to carry out. According to Lincoln, any success Washington had as president was not thanks to him alone but primarily thanks to God’s blessing.