Non-partisan (nationalist) President Washington declines to run for a third term, by delivering his farewell address to the divided (pro- and anti-Washington) Fourth Constitutional Congress (elected in accordance with Article I, Section 3 [Clause 1]), warning against excessive public debt and military spending, and entangling alliances:

       As a very important source of strength and security, cherish public credit.  One method of preserving it is, to use it as sparingly as possible.  …

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       Why quit our own to stand upon foreign ground? Why, by interweaving our destiny with that of any part of Europe, entangle our peace and prosperity in the toils of European ambition, rivalship [sic], interest, humor or caprice?

       It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world.  …

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       But, if I may even flatter myself, that they may be productive of some partial benefit, some occasional good; that they may now and then recur to moderate the fury of party spirit, to warn against the mischiefs of foreign intrigue, to guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism; this hope will be a full recompense for the solicitude for your welfare, by which they have been dictated.

       NOTE: Had Washington been re-elected to a third term he would have most likely died in office, establishing a terrible precedent of presidents-for-life.  But again Washington did the right thing by voluntarily laying down power, as he had so magnanimously done so many times before.

[restored 10/31/2021] Thanks to Jim Lorenz for this entry.