January 7, 1789 // U.S.A. Holds 1st Presidential Election

On this day, January 7th, in 1789, the United States held its first presidential election in which George Washington would be named the President under the newly established United States Constitution.

Instead of direct ballots, voters chose electors who would vote for Washington as President.[1] (The system of the Electoral College is still in place today, although altered from its original form through the 12th Amendment).[2]

As the play Hamilton depicts, America was an experiment to see if a democratic republic would work. The notion of a presidency, in which an elected citizen would serve for a fixed term with limited power, was a radical act in a time when kings or other absolute rulers held power.

The Constitution, the U.S. governing document which set the form of the presidency, was America’s second attempt at establishing a democratic republic. The first form, The Articles of Confederation, from 1781 – 1789, called for weak executive power that left the government militarily and economically weak.

The call for a new government, under the Constitution, was a contentious and arduous process that pitted Federalist (Washington, Alexander Hamiliton) who wanted a strong central government versus Anti-Federalist (Thomas Jefferson) who wanted states to retain primacy.

After years of debate, publications, meetings, compromises and politicking the Constitution was ratified by the needed nine of thirteen states in 1789. Washington, under this second type of American government, was elected to the presidency.

There are, historically speaking, many reasons why this American ‘experiment’ has lasted over two centuries. Yet chief among America’s strength and endurance is that the U.S. was founded, and continues to be governed, by a written constitution.

Today, in 2022, courts are still interpreting the meaning of the 1st Amendment and applying that to internet publications and ‘Big Tech;’ Congress is still applying its Article I duties to make laws “which shall be necessary and proper” for the functioning of the government and the President, just like Washington, is still applying his Article II duties to enact the laws of Congress.[3] The written words of the Constitution, written over two hundred years ago, are still effective in governing the now 330 million American citizens.[4]

Only God knows how long the American ‘experiment’ will last as “all nations are like a drop in the bucket” for Him (Is. 40:15).

For those who believe, we have a better, truly infallible, and eternal Word in the Bible and in Jesus — “the Word that became flesh” (John 1:14). In His Word we have a sure foundation to base our lives, our families, our church, and our eternity in. On this day, let’s celebrate His Word, read His Word and “hold firmly to the word of life” (Phil 2:16).

______________

Footnotes:

History is His Story

January 7, 1789 // U.S.A. Holds 1st Presidential Election

Get Connected.