The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1913-02-19

ington was first elected presi-
dent of the United States. 1t
is a physical impossibility for any one
now living to picture the situation Of
the country at that time. The consti-
tuition had been adopted only after ro.
bust opposition. The colonies had been
depleted by the long years of the Revo'
luton and had not much recovered un.
der the loose and inadequate articles Of
confederation. While political parties
had not yet had time to form, there
were bitter factional feuds and person
al and sectional jealousies.
The 100000 people Of the new ma
ton were strung along the Atlantic
coast. The railroad and steamship had
not yet been thought Of, while the 9th.
er great inventions that have changed
the face of the world were far in the
future. Electricity was but scientific
curiosity. The steam engine had been
invented. but was not yet in general
use.
There was no other republic in the
world. The revolution that started one
in France did not open until the fol-
lowing year. The so called Dutch re-.
public was ruled by an aristocracy
under hereditary stakeholder. The
Swiss cantOns were under loose con.
federation. Not only was the world
without republics. but we'll nigh with.
out parliaments. Great Britain had
q form sof parliamentary government.
but most other nations were absolute
or slightly limited monarchies.
Moreover, there had never been on
earth republic such as our forefa.
Tiers outlined for us. The so called
Greek and Roman republics were real
" Oligarchies. the mass of the popua.
ton being slaves. The Italian repub
lies were in some instances Sigh.
advance on these. but even they fell
far short of the American ideal. Our
proposed form Of government was
largely an experiment without prece.
dent anywhere in the worlds history
The division of powers between the
federal government and the states and
the subdivision into coordinate depart
ments of executive. legislative and in
dicial were new and untried depar
lures.
1t was an adventure on such an un
known political sea that Washington
and the first congress elected with him
were called upon to undertake. There
were still large and influential elements
grumbIing about the constitution. One
or two colonies had failed to ratify
and Rhode Island continued in thai
attitude. Washington was unfeigned
ly reluctant to embark on the task .
leading the new government. He ha'
retired from public life and had plan
ned to spend his declining years on his
Mount Vernon farm The people o
the whole country turned to him witt
one accord. however. and it was i'm
possible for him to resist.
No candidates were nominated fOl
president in those days. the presiden
tial electors being left absolutely free
to choose These electors were chosen
1T the same time as the members OF
she new congress at the popular cleo,
zion in the fall of 17SS. They after
ward met in their several state capitals
and cast every vote for Washington.
The inaugural ceremonies tooE place
In New York. Congress was slow in
assembling, and by the time it hat
quorum to canvass the vote 1t was
March 6. A messenger WAS immediate
Nv dispatched to notify the president
elect of the vote, and he reached Mount
Vernon on the 18th Or the 10th WASH.
ington wrote in his diary:
About 10 o'clock | bade adieu t,