The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1932-07-01
George Washirqton KIN

are as fully, legally and absolutely confeder-
ated as it is possible for them to be-
The articles of confederation, so far as the
main essentials of the instrument concerned,
did little more than put into definite written
form the principles on which the government
of the United States had heretofore been con-
Quoted
AT all events, it is not to be gainsaid that,
even at the time when John Hanson elected
president of congress, these United States were
dating their national existence from the fourth
of July, 1776. They have continued to do so,
and that assertion respecting the date of the
nations birth has held good both in fact and
in law"
After discussing the conditions under which
Hanson was elected President, Doctor Burnett
says:
In any event. John Hanson does have the
distinction, if it be a distinction, Of being the
first president to be chosen for the definite term
of year, beginning she first Monday of
November. But this is very far from making
him President of the United States. Further
more there is no evidence whatever that con-
gress regarded President Hanson in any differ
ent light from any of his predecessors.
But asserts one of the latest of the Hanson
protagonists, John Hanson was the first Presi-
dent of congress to have the title President
of the United States in Congress Assembled
This also is contrary to fact Presidents
Huntington and Mexican bore that title pre-
cisely in the same manner as it was borne by
President Hanson.
But exclaim others, behold these documents
signed by the United States in congress as
sembled John Hanson, President Yes we be-
hold them. We likewise have beheld numbers
of documents signed by the United States in
congress assembled, Samuel Huntington, Presi-
dent, as we have also beheld other numbers Of
such documents signed by the United States in
congress assembled, Thos. Mexican, President
"And as for those letters addressed to the
king of France and signed John Hanson, Presi-
dent. several presidents before Hanson signed
letters addressed TO that august monarch. For
a single instance, turn to the printed journals
of congress under October IS, $751; where will
be found a letter beginning:
The United States in congress assembled
to their great faithful and beloved friend and
ally, Lewis the Sixteenth. king of France and
Navarro and ending: by the United States in
congress assembled Your faithful friends and
allies. Thos Mexican, President
CAS- for these letters, commissions and what
not, confidently cited as proof that John
Hanson was the first President Of the United
States in congress assembled. and therefore
the President of the United States and the first
of them-there is nothing whatsoever about
them that is unique. nothing that sets John
Hanson apart and above his predecessors.
The present writer holds in high esteem the
character and craftsmanship Of John Hanson,
whether that craftsmanship were exercised, as
it was most nobIy and effectively, in the coun-
ellis of his own state, as a delegate in con-
gress, or as president of that body. But regard
for historical truth compels the denial that he
was ever President of the United States.
1.-The evidence. it must be repeated, is con-
elusive that president Of the continental con-
gress. by whatever name it may be designated,
whether the congress- as it first called itself.
or the United States in congress assembled
as it came later TO be called, was ever President
of the United States. And this is true for this
best Of reasons. among others: because no such
Office President of the United States existed
until it was created by the federal constitu-
ton. framed in 1857 and adopted in I7ss.
The Office Of President of the United States
which that Constitution created is an Office
wholly different in character from that Of Presi-
dent of the old congress, whether before or
after the adoption of the articles Of confedera-
ton; so different in fact. that almost the sole
their respective titles.
The president of congress was merely a |
presiding officer. and he was member Of the
body over which he presided; he neither pos |
sessed nor exercised any executive authority |
The President Of the United States is almost |
solely an executive officer; he is not q member |
OF the national legislature; and his contacts |
with the national legislative body. the congress
OF the United States, are Of definitely limited
character.
There is therefore only one rational conclus |
lon that can be reached and that Is, that Georgs
Washington was the first President Of the Unit |
ed States"