On April 30, 1789, George Washington, standing on the balcony of Federal Hall on Wall Street in New York, took his oath of office as the first President of the United States. Of this he wrote to James Madison: As the first of every thing, in our situation will serve to establish a Precedent, it is devoutly wished on my part, that these precedents may be fixed on true principles.
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If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the read more
If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.
To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving the peace.
To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving the peace.
I know [patriotism] exists, and I know it has done much in the present contest. But a great and lasting read more
I know [patriotism] exists, and I know it has done much in the present contest. But a great and lasting war can never be supported on this principle alone. It must be aided by a prospect of interest, or some reward.
To err is natural; to rectify error is glory.
To err is natural; to rectify error is glory.
Discipline is the soul of an army. It makes small numbers formidable, procures success to the weak, and esteem to read more
Discipline is the soul of an army. It makes small numbers formidable, procures success to the weak, and esteem to all.
The new constitution established a president with powers unheard of in the republican United States. Some even wanted him to read more
The new constitution established a president with powers unheard of in the republican United States. Some even wanted him to be king, a thought that GW found ludicrous: What astonishing changes a few years are capable of producing! I am told that even respectable characters speak of a monarchical form of government without horror. From thinking proceeds speaking, thence to acting is often but a single step. But how irrevocable and tremendous! What a triumph for the advocates of despotism to find that we are incapable of governing ourselves, and that systems founded on the basis of equal liberty are merely ideal & fallacious!
In his address of 19 September 1796, given as he prepared to leave office, President George Washington spoke about the read more
In his address of 19 September 1796, given as he prepared to leave office, President George Washington spoke about the importance of morality to the country's well-being: Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports.... And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion.... Can it be that Providence has not connected the permanent felicity of a Nation with its virtue?
We ought not to look back unless it is to derive useful lessons from past errors, and for the purpose read more
We ought not to look back unless it is to derive useful lessons from past errors, and for the purpose of profiting by dear-bought experience.
Following his brief inaugural address to the Congress, President George Washington and his party walked over to St. Paul's Church read more
Following his brief inaugural address to the Congress, President George Washington and his party walked over to St. Paul's Church for divine services. His prayer that afternoon was: 'Almighty God, we make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; to entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow-citizens of the United States at large.'
