George Washington: First Inaugural Address

Impact

Washington's address was warmly received by Congress and by the American people. The president's willingness to defer to Congress in setting its legislative agenda augured well for a congenial arrangement between the legislative and executive branches of government. In not setting his own agenda, Washington alienated no one. His suggestion to members of the Federalist Congress that they propose a bill of rights gave confidence to Antifederalists that the new government would not be oppressive.

Washington unified the country at its birth unlike anyone else could have done. Perhaps Gouverneur Morris, the delegate in the Constitutional Convention who put the final wording to the Constitution, best captured the importance of Washington's presidency in a letter early in the ratification debate:

Should the Idea prevail that you would not accept of the Presidency it would prove fatal in many Parts. … You are best fitted to fill that Office. Your cool steady Temper is indispensibly necessary to give a firm and manly Tone to the new Government. (Morris to Washington, October 30, 1787; Abbot and Twohig, vol. 5, p. 400.)

Washington realized the importance of his presidency in allowing the new federal republic time to establish itself. His voice, as expressed in his inaugural address, gave confidence to his countrymen that the new American experiment would succeed.