Parting words of past presidents

A spoken presidential farewell address –- over radio or television -- is a relatively modern phenomenon. Since Harry Truman’s parting words from the White House in 1953, only five other presidents have delivered farewell addresses. George Washington and Andrew Jackson both delivered farewell messages, which appeared only in newspapers, according to UC Santa Barbara’s American Presidency Project.

Historians don’t consider Richard Nixon’s televised remarks to his staff following his resignation in 1974 a farewell address.

In his remarks Thursday night, George W. Bush (whose father didn’t deliver a farewell address) touched on the themes common in a presidential parting speech: the economy, foreign policy and challenges to freedom. The following is a compilation of quotes from past presidents’ good-bye words and Bush’s recent addition to catalogue of farewell speeches by American presidents.

National strength

Our enemies are patient and determined to strike again. America did nothing to seek or deserve this conflict. But we have been given solemn responsibilities, and we must meet them. We must resist complacency. We must keep our resolve. And we must never let down our guard.

-- George W. Bush (2009)

National weakness -- real or perceived -- can tempt aggression and thus cause war. That’s why the United States cannot neglect its military strength. We must and we will remain strong.

-- Jimmy Carter (1981)

Economy

Facing the prospect of a financial collapse, we took decisive measures to safeguard our economy. These are very tough times for hardworking families, but the toll would be far worse if we had not acted. All Americans are in this together. And together, with determination and hard work, we will restore our economy to the path of growth. We will show the world once again the resilience of America’s free enterprise system.

-- Bush

We have 62.5 million people at work. Businessmen, farmers, laborers, white-collar people, all have better incomes and more of the good things of life than ever before in the history of the world. There hasn’t been a failure of an insured bank in nearly nine years. No depositor has lost a cent in that period. And the income of our people has been fairly distributed, perhaps more so than at any other time in recent history.

-- Harry Truman (1953)

Common sense told us that when you put a big tax on something, the people will produce less of it. So, we cut the people’s tax rates, and the people produced more than ever before. The economy bloomed like a plant that had been cut back and could now grow quicker and stronger. Our economic program brought about the longest peacetime expansion in our history: real family income up, the poverty rate down, entrepreneurship booming, and an explosion in research and new technology. We’re exporting more than ever because American industry became more competitive and at the same time, we summoned the national will to knock down protectionist walls abroad instead of erecting them at home.

-- Ronald Reagan (1989)

Through our last four budgets we’ve turned record deficits to record surpluses, and we’ve been able to pay down $600 billion of our national debt -- on track to be debt-free by the end of the decade for the first time since 1835. Staying on that course will bring lower interest rates, greater prosperity, and the opportunity to meet our big challenges. If we choose wisely, we can pay down the debt, deal with the retirement of the baby boomers, invest more in our future, and provide tax relief.

-- Bill Clinton (2001)

Responsibility

Like all who have held this office before me, I have experienced setbacks. There are things I would do differently if given the chance. Yet I have always acted with the best interests of our country in mind. I have followed my conscience and done what I thought was right. You may not agree with some tough decisions I have made. But I hope you can agree that I was willing to make the tough decisions.

-- Bush

Though, in reviewing the incidents of my administration, I am unconscious of intentional error, I am nevertheless too sensible of my defects not to think it probable that I may have committed many errors. Whatever they may be, I fervently beseech the Almighty to avert or mitigate the evils to which they may tend.

-- George Washington (1796)

The greatest part of the President’s job is to make decisions--big ones and small ones, dozens of them almost every day. The papers may circulate around the government for a while but they finally reach this desk. And then, there’s no place else for them to go. The President--whoever he is--has to decide. He can’t pass the buck to anybody. No one else can do the deciding for him. That’s his job.

-- Truman

So -- in this my last good night to you as your president -- I thank you for the many opportunities you have given me for public service in war and peace. I trust that in that service you find some things worthy; as for the rest of it, I know you will find ways to improve performance in the future.

-- Dwight Eisenhower (1961)

Foreign power

In the face of threats from abroad, it can be tempting to seek comfort by turning inward. But we must reject isolationism and its companion, protectionism. Retreating behind our borders would only invite danger. In the 21st century, security and prosperity at home depend on the expansion of liberty abroad. If America does not lead the cause of freedom, that cause will not be led.

-- Bush

Against the insidious wiles of foreign influence (I conjure you to believe me, fellow-citizens) the jealousy of a free people ought to be constantly awake, since history and experience prove that foreign influence is one of the most baneful foes of republican government.

-- Washington

Challenges to freedom

The battles waged by our troops are part of a broader struggle between two dramatically different systems. Under one, a small band of fanatics demands total obedience to an oppressive ideology, condemns women to subservience, and marks unbelievers for murder. The other system is based on the conviction that freedom is the universal gift of Almighty God and that liberty and justice light the path to peace.

-- Bush

It is from within, among yourselves -- from cupidity, from corruption, from disappointed ambition and inordinate thirst for power -- that factions will be formed and liberty endangered. It is against such designs, whatever disguise the actors may assume, that you have especially to guard yourselves. You have the highest of human trusts committed to your care. Providence has showered on this favored land blessings without number, and has chosen you as the guardians of freedom, to preserve it for the benefit of the human race.

-- Andrew Jackson (1837)

Throughout America’s adventure in free government, our basic purposes have been to keep the peace; to foster progress in human achievement, and to enhance liberty, dignity and integrity among people and among nations. To strive for less would be unworthy of a free and religious people. Any failure traceable to arrogance, or our lack of comprehension or readiness to sacrifice would inflict upon us grievous hurt both at home and abroad.

-- Eisenhower

The battle for human rights -- at home and abroad -- is far from over. We should never be surprised nor discouraged because the impact of our efforts has had, and will always have, varied results. Rather, we should take pride that the ideals which gave birth to our nation still inspire the hopes of oppressed people around the world. We have no cause for self-righteousness or complacency. But we have every reason to persevere, both within our own country and beyond our borders.

-- Carter

Life after the presidency

I have been blessed to represent this Nation we love. And I will always be honored to carry a title that means more to me than any other: citizen of the United States of America.

-- Bush

In the years ahead, I will never hold a position higher or a covenant more sacred than that of president of the United States. But there is no title I will wear more proudly than that of citizens.

-- Clinton

James Wagner is an editorial pages staff member.