The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1931-02-05
WASHINGTON ELECTED
PRESIDENT 142 YEARS AGO
Father of His Country Only Man
Ever to Receive the Unanimous
Vote of the Electors


When the people of the United
States turned to George Washington
with the universal demand that he
stand at the head of the new govern
ment and fill the great Office of first
President of the Republic, he evinced
the same difidence which weighed up
on him when he took command of the
armies, according to the Division of
Information of the George Washing
ton Bicentennial Commission.
In response to the suggestion that
he be a candidate, he recognized the
fact that he was likely to be again
called upon to render public service,
and added simply that at his age it
would involve sacrifice which adj
mitted of no compensation. He main
tanned this tone whenever he alluded
to the subject, in deplying to num-
erous letters urging him to accept.
But, although he declined to an
nounce any decision, he had resigned
himself to the inevitable.
Washington made it clear that he
was not pursuing the Office, and would
only leave his farm to take it from a
sense of duty. The electoral college
gave him it's unanimous vote on Feb
ruary a, 1898. Neither the anlmosity
of parties, nor the large number of
enemies of the new government in
some of the states could deprive him
of single vote.
The reluctance with which General
Washington assumed his new position
and that genuine modesty which was
distinguished feature of his char
acter, are further illustrated by the
following extract from a letter 20
General Henry Knox: 81 feel for those
members of the new Congress, who,
hitherto, have given an unavailing at
tendance at the theatre of action. For
myself, the delay may be compared
to reprieve; for, in confidence, /
tell you with the world it would
obtain little credit), that my move
ments to the chair of government will
be accompanied by feeling not I'M
like those of the culprit who is 60
ing to the place of his execution; so
unwilling am I, in the evening of life,
nearly consumed in public cares, to
quit a peaceful abode for an ocean
, of difficulties without that compe-
tency of political skill, abilities, and
inclination, which are necessary to
manage the helm. I am sensible that
I am embarking the voice of the peo-
pie, and a good name of my own on
this voyage; but what returns will
be made from them Heaven alone can
foretell. Integrity and firmness
are all that I can promise; these, be
the voyage long or short, shall never
forsake me, although may be de-
serted by all men; for of the consola-
lions which are to be derived from
these, under any circumstances, the
world can not deprive me-"
The official announcement of his
election as Chief Magistrate of the
United States was made to him at
Mount Vernon on April IA, 1889, by
Charles Tomson, the secretary of the
Continental Congress. Accustomed
to respect the wishes of his fellow
citizens Washington did not think
himself at liberty to decline an APP
pointment conferred upon him by the
suffrage of an entire people. His
acceptance of it, and his expression
of gratitude for this fresh proof of
the esteem and confidence of his coun-
try, were connected with declarations
of difidence in himself.
'T wish, he said, "that there may
not be reason for regretting the
choice-for indeed, all 1 can promise
is to accomplish that which can be
done by an honest ZEAL"
AS the public business required the
immediate attendance of the Presi-
dent at the seat of the Government.
he FASTENED his departure, and on the
second day after receiving notice OF
his election, he took leave of Mount
Vernon. In an entry in his diary, the
feelings inspired by an occasion SC
affecting to his mind are thus de-
scribed: "About ten o'clock bade
adieu to Mount Vernon, to private
life, and to domestic felicity; and with
a mind oppressed with more anxious
and painful sensations than I have
words to express, set out for New