STUDY ON 4.

1. Who or what represents the legislative power in our Constitution? 2. Who the executive power? 3. Who or what the judicial power? 4. What is the business of the executive power? 5. What is the business of the Congress? 6. Why does the Constitution require the President and the members of Congress to be citizens and residents of the United States? 7. Why are not the separate states allowed to make treaties or make war by themselves? 8. What part of the government according to the Constitution did the Confederation not have? 9. If the people do not obey the laws, how can the President compel them to obey? 10. If the President or the Congress displease the people, what can the people do about it? 11. Why did the Federalists want the Constitution? 12. Why were the Anti-Federalists afraid of it?

Supplementary Reading. For whole text of Constitution, see Old South Leaflets; see same for numbers of Hamilton's Federalist, and for whole of Patrick Henry's speech against the Constitution.

5. OUR FIRST PRESIDENT, 1789-1797.

I glory in the character of a Washington, because . . . I know that the gen eral character of the natives of the United States is the same with his . . . and I know there are thousands of others who have in them all the essential qualities, moral and intellectual, which compose it. - JOHN ADAMS.201

The First Inauguration. — But one man could be our first President. Unanimously elected by Federalists and Anti-Federalists, Washington was inaugurated as our first President at Federal Hall, in Wall Street, New York City, on the 30th of April, 1789. His private secretary thus describes the ceremony:

About two hundred yards before we reached the hall we descended from our carriages, and passed through the troops, who were drawn up on each side, into the hall and senate chamber, where we found the vice-president, the senate, and the house of representatives

assembled. They received the president in the most respectful manner, and the vice-president [John Adams] conducted him to a

spacious and elevated seat at the head of the room. A solemn silence prevailed. The vice-president

...

soon

arose and informed the president that all things were prepared to administer the oath. He immediately descended from his seat, and advanced through the middle door of the hall to the balcony. The oath was administered in public by Chancellor Livingston, and at the moment the chancellor proclaimed him president of the United States the air was rent by repeated shouts and huzzas-"God bless our Washington! Long live our beloved Washington!" We again returned into the hall, where, being seated as before for a few minutes, the president arose and addressed the two branches of the congress in a speech which was heard with eager and marked attention.202

The French minister present, reporting to his government on the scene, writes:

Tears of joy were seen to flow in the hall of the senate, at church, and even in the streets, and no sovereign ever reigned more completely in the hearts of his subjects than Washington in the hearts of his fellow-citizens. Nature, which had given him the talent to govern, distinguished him from all others by his appearance. He had at once the soul, the look and the figure of a hero.208

The New Government. Washington soon called to help him, Thomas Jefferson of Virginia as Secretary of State, Alexander Hamilton of New York as Secretary of the Treasury, Henry Knox of Massachusetts as Secretary of War, and Edmund Randolph of Virginia as Attorney-General. That is, Jefferson was to look more particularly after our foreign affairs, Hamilton after money matters, Knox after the army and navy, and Randolph to see that justice was administered. These secretaries whom Washington asked to help him formed the first Cabinet. The new government according to the Constitution was now all ready to work, and it has gone on working ever since.

Our money matters at first gave us much trouble to settle, but Alexander Hamilton managed them so well that all the world began to trust and respect us. For one thing, it was decided that the United States should pay every dollar that it owed in good money. Many other things needed straightening too; but Washington and his advisers were at the head of the government for eight years, and by the end of that time our affairs were running smoothly.

Washington's Opinions. His opinions on religious toleration may be seen from the following reply to an address from the Catholics of Maryland:

All those who conduct themselves as worthy members of the community ARE EQUALLY ENTITLED TO THE PROTECTION OF THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT. . . . And I presume that your fellow citizens will not forget the patriotic part which you took in their revolution . . . or the important assistance which they received from a nation in which. the roman catholic faith is professed [France]. 204

His opinions on slavery are very clearly expressed in the following letter:

I never mean, unless some particular circumstances should compel me to it, to possess another slave by purchase, it being among my first wishes to see some plan adopted, by which slavery in this country may be abolished by law.

In Philadelphia there was a society of Friends, who were trying to free the slaves by helping them to run away from their masters; of their attempts Washington wrote:

There is only one proper. . . mode by which [the abolition of slavery]... can be accomplished, and that is by legislative authority; and this, so far as my suffrage [vote] will go, will never be wanting. But when slaves, who are happy and contented with their present masters, are tampered with and induced to leave them; when masters are taken unawares by these practices; it is oppression in such a case. 205

When Washington retired from office, he wrote what is known as his Farewell Address, and in this he expresses his most solemn advice to the American people. From this address, we take the following passages:

Interwoven as is the love of liberty with every ligament of your hearts, no recommendation of mine is necessary to fortify or confirm the attachment.

The unity of Government, which constitutes you one people, is also now dear to you. It is justly so: for it is a main pillar in the edifice of your real independence; of your safety; of your prosperity of that very Liberty, which you so highly prize.

Citizens, by birth or choice, of a common country, that country has a right to concentrate your affections. The name of AMERICAN must always exalt the just pride of Patriotism.. With slight

shades of difference, you have the same religion, manners, habits, and political principles. You have in a common cause fought and triumphed together; the Independence and Liberty you possess are the work of joint counsels, and joint efforts, of common dangers, sufferings, and successes.

...

Religion and Morality are the . . . great pillars of human happiness, the ... firmest props of the duties of Men and Citizens. The mere Politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them.

Observe good faith and justice towards all Nations; cultivate peace and harmony with all. . . . 206

STUDY ON 5.

1. What parts of the government were present at the inauguration ceremony? 2. Make a list of the important events in the life of Washington. (See index.) 3. What made Washington so well fitted to be our first President? 4. Why should he receive a more unanimous vote than Jefferson? 5. What difference did he think a man's belief ought to make with his right to the protection of the government? 6. What did he think about slavery? 7. How did he think we ought to get rid of it? 8. What did Washington think we ought to care for, if we wanted to remain a strong people? 9. What does he say that we Americans had in common to make us love our country and each other? 10. Why is Washington called the Father of his Country?

Supplementary Reading. — Washington Irving's Life of Washington. For whole of Farewell Address, see Old South Leaflets. President Washington's Receptions, by William Sullivan, in The Public Men of the Revolution, or in Library of American Literature, IV. 346. Mason L. Weems' Anecdotes of Washington, in Library American Literature, IV. 25, or in Weems' Washington.

6. THE LOUISIANA PURCHASE (1803; UNDER

JEFFERSON'S PRESIDENCY).

The

We have lived long, but this is the noblest work of our whole lives. treaty which we have just signed . . . will change vast solitudes into flourishing districts. From this day the United States take their place among the powers of the first rank. to Marbois, on signing the treaty.297

The Reasons for the Purchase. After John Adams, who

was our next President after Washington, there were no more