America elected its first president and vice president. General George Washington, a greatly revered and honored military leader was elected president and John Adams was elected vice president. Delegates from all the colonies met in the US capitol, New York, to vote for the two men that will lead this country. These delegates represent the wishes of the voters of each state. The election was to take place weeks before, but there was trouble in getting all the delegates to meet together. After all the delegates had arrived, they all sat down and took a vote. April 6, 1789, quorum of both houses met to open the packets containing the ballots. After all the votes were counted, it was announced that the vote was unanimous and George Washington won. | Washington won with a total of 69 out of 69 votes. The vote for Washington was unanimous among the Electoral College, those representatives the states elected to choose our president. For vice president, because he won the second highest number of electoral votes, John Adams was elected with a count of 34 out of 69 votes. These two men are both federalists.Federalists are advocates of the creation of a federal system of government as outlined in the constitution. Other candidates included Jay who received 9 votes, Harrison who received 6 votes, Rutledge who received 6 votes, Hancock who received 4 votes, Clinton who received 3 votes, Huntington who received 2 votes, Hilton who received 2 votes, Armstrong, Lincoln, and Telfair only received 1 vote. The day of the inauguration, Washington had to travel from his home in Mount Vernon to New York. He was greeted with roaring cannons, pealing bells, flower carpeted roads, and singing and shouting citizens. With appropriate ceremony he solemnly and somewhat nervously took the oath of office on April 30, 1789 on a crowded balcony overlooking Wall Street. Here is an excerpt of his inaugural address: In tendering this homage to the Great Author of every public and private good, I assure my self that it expresses your sentiments not less than my own, nor those of my fellow-citizens at large less than either. No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the Invisible Hand which conducts the affairs of men more than those ofThese poetic words reveal the nature of a man supported by the Almighty. With such a man at the helm of our republic our nation will surely prosper. |
There are many people that feel George Washington should of been elected King of America instead of President. As a British subject and a loyal supporter of his majesty, our King, I protest the presumption of those colonials who would support the cause of monarchy for General Washington. Our King comes from a long line of noble rulers who have been trained since birth to prepare them for the day they will become King. General Washington is merely the leader of a rag tag army who got lucky. Under normal circumstances, England could have won the war. However the resources of our government and noble army were severely strained by European affairs. General Washington has no experience in governing a country or its people. He was a farmer from Virginia hardly the qualification necessary to be King of a country. It would be much better if the American people chose the head of their government in a manner that would allow them change leaders if their first choice was not the best one. Maybe there should of been another King George only time will tell us. | The following is an editorial of what Abigail Adams, wife of current Vice President, had to say after meeting the new President for the first time. |
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