Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1931-08-21
When Hamilton "Sounded Out"
Washington On The Presi.
denCy.

Politicians and statesmen of the newly
formed nation, United States of America,
were busy in the late summer and fall of
1888 arranging to put the Constitution,
which had recently been adopted, into
effect. From 1871 to 1889. the United
States was governed by the Articles of
Confederation, loose system of govern
ment which the jealousy and rivalry of the
individual States made imperative. But
now the nation was ready for a more GEN.
tralized form of government.
When New Hampshire ratified the Con-
stituton on June 81. 1888. being the ninth
State to approve the document and con-
sequently making the Constitution the law
of the land. preparations were begun to
get this new legal system into operation.
Virginia ratified on June 26, 1888. and
New York followed exactly one month later
With the two largest States within the
fold, the path was now smooth to change
the machinery of the government.
Who was to be chosen PRESIDENT That
was the important question and the one
which was being asked on all sides. George
Washington. Of course. was the outstand-
ing man for the position. The honor was
his if he would accept it.
But Washington was very happy as a
farmer at Mount Vernon. He had served
his country long and faithfully and was now
DESTROYS of enjoying the domestic tran
guilty which he had always longed for.
True. he acted as presiding officer of the
Constitutional Convention and exerted con-
siderable influence in the struggle for rati-
fication in Virginia. But as far as the
Presidency of government was concerned,
Washington honestly preferred that some
one else take over the burden of leading
the nation.
Alexander Hamilton, without doubt.
one of the greatest politicians ever pro-
duced in America. thought and felt differ
emily. With Washington at the helm.
Hamilton vizualized strong and orderly
government; shonld Washington lrefuse to
be candidate, Hamilton foresaw scram-
BILE for the office with consequent bitter
feelings.
Hamilton decided to find out exactly how
Washington stood on the question of being
candidate for the Presidency. The
sounding out" began with letter to George
Washington on August IS. 1885,
Il take it for granted. Sir. you have con-
cluded to comply with what will. no doubt,
be the general call of your country in re-
lation to the new government. You will
permit me to say. that it is. indispensable
you should lend yourself to its first opera
tons. 1t is to little purpose to have intro
duced a system. if the weiehtiest influence
is not given to its firm establishment in the
outset"
To which Washington replied:
ION the delicate subject with which you
conclude your letter. can say nothing
because the event alluded to may never
happen, and because, in case it should
occur, it would be point of prudence to
defer forming ones ultimate and irrevoca
BILE decision. so long as new data might
be afforded for one to act with the greater
wisdom and propriety. would not wish
to conceal my prevailing sentiment from
you for you know me well enough, my
good Sir, to be persuaded, that | am lot
guilty of affectation when tell you, that
it is my great and sole desire to live and die
in peace and retirement on my own farm.
Were it even indispensable, a different line
of conduct should be adopted, while you
and some others who are acquainted with
my heart would acquit. the world and
posterity might possibly accuse me (of)
inconsistency and ambition. Still hope
shall always possess frmness and virtue
enough to maintain what consider the
most enviable of all titles), the character of
an honest man.
So. while W ashingtOn preferred to remain
on his farm. he did not fatty refuse to be
candidate. Washineton's love for coun
try and his respect for duty was such that
he could not refuse the call of his country
regardless of the price he had to pay.
AS the knowledge spread that Washing
ton was not unalterably opposed to be-
coming the first President. other aspirants
did not press their candidates., and, as
every school boy knows. the electoral COL
lege chose George Washington to be the
first President of the United States by a
unanimous vote.