Video: 'George Washington’s Farewell Address wasn’t a goodbye… it was a warning.'

(Monday September 19, 1796) — With less than six months left of his second and final term of office, U.S. President George Washington’s Farewell Address was published today as an open letter to the public.

The letter was first published as The Address of Gen. Washington to the People of America on His Declining the Presidency of the United States in Claypoole’s American Daily Advertiser, about ten weeks before the presidential electors cast their votes in the 1796 election.

Video: 'Great Speeches: George Washington's Farewell Address'

In it, he writes about the importance of national unity while warning Americans of the political dangers of regionalism, partisanship, and foreign influence, which they must avoid to remain true to their values.

“The name of American, which belongs to you, in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of patriotism more than any appellation derived from local discriminations.”