. A history of the United States of America, its people, and its institutions. have seen, theStates were far from being united ; so weak was their bondof connection that it was in danger of breaking and leavingthem as thirteen disunited States. The Constitution firstmade this country a nation, a federal republic of a strengthand soundness of union surpassing that of any previousgovernment of the people. The history of this country asa single and well-defmed community begins, therefore,with the adoption of the Constitution by the States, and theyielding to the central government of such of thei
. A history of the United States of America, its people, and its institutions. have seen, theStates were far from being united ; so weak was their bondof connection that it was in danger of breaking and leavingthem as thirteen disunited States. The Constitution firstmade this country a nation, a federal republic of a strengthand soundness of union surpassing that of any previousgovernment of the people. The history of this country asa single and well-defmed community begins, therefore,with the adoption of the Constitution by the States, and theyielding to the central government of such of their indi-vidual powers as were needed to make a strong and enduringnation. First Presidential Election.—When the question aroseas to who should be the first President of the United Statesunder the new Constitution, both parties. Federalists andAnti-Federalists alike, fixed upon George Washington asthe man to whom the liberties of the country were due andwho was most worthy of the honor. Presidential electionsvvert lield in ten of the States, but there was no opposition 247. 248 THE EARLY PERIOD OF THE REPURLIC. to Washington, who was chosen unanimously. John Adamswas elected Vice-President.^ The Inauguration.—As soon as Washington receivednews of his election he set out from his quiet home at Mount Vernon, which he left withmuch regret, for New York, then theseat of Congress. His journey waslike a triumphal procession. Alongthe whole way the people crowdedto the roadside, waiting for hours tosee him pass. * Guns were fired, tri-umphal arches were erected, andflowers were strewn in the roadsover which his carriage was to WASHINGTON. The uew uatlou began its life on March 4, 1789,^ on which day theConstitution went into operation, but the new Congress hadnot assembled at that date, and the inauguration of Wash-ington did not take place till April 30. He took the oathof office on the balcony of a building in front of FederalHall (in which Congress met), in the presen
Size: 1365px × 1831px
Photo credit: © The Reading Room / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, bookpublisherlondo, bookyear1915
