Abridgment of the Debates of Congress, from 1789 to 1856, Vol. 1 (of 16)United States. Congress
History
Abridgment of the Debates of Congress, from 1789 to 1856, Vol. 1 (of 16)
United States. Congress
Law -- United States; United States -- Politics and government
Mr. MADISON, from the committee appointed to prepare an address on the
part of this House to the President of the United States, in answer to
his speech to both Houses of Congress, reported as followeth:
_The Address of the House of Representatives to George
Washington, President of the United States._
SIR: The Representatives of the People of the United States
present their congratulations on the event by which your
fellow-citizens have attested the pre-eminence of your
merit. You have long held the first place in their esteem.
You have often received tokens of their affection. You now
possess the only proof that remained of their gratitude for
your services, of their reverence for your wisdom, and of
their confidence in your virtues. You enjoy the highest,
because the truest honor, of being the First Magistrate, by
the unanimous choice of the freest people on the face of
the earth.
We well know the anxieties with which you must have obeyed
a summons from the repose reserved for your declining
years, into public scenes, of which you had taken your
leave for ever. But the obedience was due to the occasion.
It is already applauded by the universal joy which welcomes
you to your station. And we cannot doubt that it will be
rewarded with all the satisfaction with which an ardent
love for your fellow-citizens must review successful
efforts to promote their happiness.
This anticipation is not justified merely by the past
experience of your signal services. It is particularly
suggested by the pious impressions under which you mean to
commence your administration, and the enlightened maxims by
which you mean to conduct it. We feel with you the
strongest obligations to adore the invisible hand which has
led the American people through so many difficulties, to
cherish a conscious responsibility for the destiny of
republican liberty; and to seek the only sure means of
preserving and recommending the precious deposit in a
system of legislation founded on the principles of an
honest policy, and directed by the spirit of a diffusive
patriotism.
The question arising out of the fifth article of the
Constitution will receive all the attention demanded by its
importance; and will, we trust, be decided, under the
influence of all the considerations to which you allude.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account