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Presidential Valedictories

Pay attention to their parting words

David Martin
The Left Is Right

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Photo by Ronda Darby on Unsplash

It has been an American tradition for a departing president to address the nation and give guidance for the country’s future. George Washington famously warned against foreign entanglements, and Dwight Eisenhower urged Americans to beware of the military-industrial complex. Sadly, such advice has seldom been followed.

Some lesser-known presidents also provided useful advice in their valedictories, advice which only recently has shown its worth.

Calvin Coolidge

“It has been a rough eight years what with the death of my predecessor Warren G. Harding and the fallout from the Teapot Dome Scandal. My only advice to the American people would be if you see a presidential hopeful with a corrupt and checkered history, give him a pass.”

Rutherford B. Hayes

“I leave the office of the president reluctantly but with great hopes for our country’s hirsute future with one caveat: beware anyone seeking the White House whose hair and skin is an unnatural color or who insists on intricately weaving his hair to cover a giant bald spot.”

William McKinley

“Ouch! Was that a bullet? Anyway, before I expire, just let me warn you against anyone who…

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