The Press., 1913-02-19
THE ELECTIONS
 OF WASHINGTON
By JAMES A. EDGERToN.

ATEARLY 125 years have elapsed
 N since General George Wash 1 ington was first elected presi-
 dent of the United States. It is 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 TO- bust opposition. The colonies had been depleted by the long years of the Revo- lution 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 3,OOO,OO0 people of the new na- tion were strung along the Atlantic coast The railroad and steamship had not yet been thought of, while the Oth- CT 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 a hereditary stadtholder. The Swiss cantons were under a loose con- federation. Not only was the world without republics. but we'll nigh with out parliaments. Great Britain had a form of parliamentary government, but most other nations were absolute or slightly limited monarchies.
 Moreover, there had never been on earth a republic such as our forefa- thers outlined for us. The so called Greek and Roman republics were real Iy oligarchies, the mass of the popula- tiOn being slaves. The Italian repub- lies were in some instances a slight 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 ju- dicial were new and untried depar- lures.
 It 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 grumbling about the constitution. One n- fNyn fn p.lti and Rhode Island continued in that attitude. Washington was unfeigned- ly reluctant to embark on the task of leading the new government. He had retired from public life and had pi:in- ned to spend his declining years OH his Mount Vernon farm. The people of the whole country turned to him with one accord, however, and it was i'm possible for him to resist.
 No candidates were nominated for president in those days, the presiden- tial electors being left absolutely free to choose. These electors were chosen nt the same time as the members of Ghe new congress at the popular elec- iIn in the fall of 17SS. They after ward met in their several state capitals and cast every vote for Washington.
 The inaugural ceremonies took place in New York. Congress was slow Tn assembling, and by the time it had quorum to canvass the vote it was March G. A messenger was immediate ly dispatched to notify the president elect of the vote, and he reached MoInt Vernon on the 14th. On the 18th Wash ington wrote in his diary:
 About 10 o'clock l bade adieu to