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==George Washington's Presidency==

==George Washington's Presidency==

[[George Washington]] was so popular and respected that he probably could have become king.  He was in his fifties, about the age of our President Bush.  Even if Washington did not become king, he could have ruled as president for the rest of his life.  But his greatness was, like Jesus, in his declining power to rule.  Washington was inaugurated as president in 1789.

[[George Washington]] was so popular and respected that he probably could have become king.  He was in his fifties, about the age of our President Bush.  Even if Washington did not become king, he could have ruled as president for the rest of his life.  But his greatness was, like Jesus, in his declining power that was available to him.  Washington was inaugurated as president in 1789.

An example of Washington’s greatness was his handling of “Citizen” Edmond Genet (pronounced zhe – nay), who was sent by France to the United States just after the French Revolution.  France felt that the United States owed it assistance after all France did to help us win the Revolutionary War.  But in 1793 Washington issued his Proclamation of Neutrality to keep us neutral in the enormous turmoil in Europe.<make clearer>  But Genet went around our new country stirring up pro-French sentiment with impassioned speeches.  He sent out private American citizens to attack British shipping (called “privateers,” but acting like pirates).  Washington told Genet to stop this, but he refused.  Washington told France to recall him.  But the French Revolution got out of hand, with senseless violence and executions.  “Citizen Genet,” as he was known, reasonably feared the guillotine if he returned to France.  He begged Washington to grant him asylum in this country.  Washington did.  Genet later married the daughter of the governor of New York, and became a normal farmer.

An example of Washington’s greatness was his handling of “Citizen” Edmond Genet (pronounced zhe – nay), who was sent by France to the United States just after the French Revolution.  France felt that the United States owed it assistance after all France did to help us win the Revolutionary War.  But in 1793 Washington issued his Proclamation of Neutrality to keep us neutral in the enormous turmoil in Europe.<make clearer>  But Genet went around our new country stirring up pro-French sentiment with impassioned speeches.  He sent out private American citizens to attack British shipping (called “privateers,” but acting like pirates).  Washington told Genet to stop this, but he refused.  Washington told France to recall him.  But the French Revolution got out of hand, with senseless violence and executions.  “Citizen Genet,” as he was known, reasonably feared the guillotine if he returned to France.  He begged Washington to grant him asylum in this country.  Washington did.  Genet later married the daughter of the governor of New York, and became a normal farmer.

Another example of George Washington’s greatness was his handling of the Whiskey Rebellion in 1794.  Farmers in western Pennsylvania protested a 7-cent per gallon tax on corn whiskey.  These farmers refused to pay the tax, retaliated against farmers who did pay it, and attacked U.S. marshals and revenue agents.  Washington told the Pennsylvania governor to end the rebellion, but he refused.  Washington himself then raised an army from neighboring states and personally rode out as their leader to quell the rebellion.  The farmers gave up without bloodshed.  Several were caught, tried and convicted for their rebellion.  What did Washington do?  He pardoned them.

Another example of George Washington’s greatness was his handling of the Whiskey Rebellion in 1794.  Farmers in western Pennsylvania protested a 7-cent per gallon tax on corn whiskey.  These farmers refused to pay the tax, retaliated against farmers who did pay it, and attacked U.S. marshals and revenue agents.  Washington told the Pennsylvania governor to end the rebellion, but he refused.  Washington himself then raised an army from neighboring states and personally rode out as their leader to quell the rebellion.  The farmers gave up without bloodshed.  Several were caught, tried and convicted for their rebellion.  What did Washington do?  He pardoned them.

In 1796, Washington was up for reelection.  He then did something that no leader of a revolution has ever done:  he gave up his power for the good of others.  He left by publishing one of the greatest documents in all of American history:  Washington’s farewell address.  Written by [[Alexander Hamilton]], this [[Farewell Address]] urged Americans to stay out of conflicts in Europe.  It also reminded Americans that morality is the foundation is our society.  <an the problems with divisive parties>

In 1796, Washington was up for reelection.  He then did something that no leader of a revolution has ever done:  he gave up his power for the good of others.  He left by publishing one of the greatest documents in all of American history:  Washington’s farewell address.  Written by [[Alexander Hamilton]], this [[Farewell Address]] urged Americans to stay out of conflicts in Europe.  It also reminded Americans that morality is the foundation is our society.  <an the problems with divisive parties>

[[Alexander Hamilton]]:  federal government has whatever powers are not denied to it (e.g., power to establish a national bank, by virtue of the “elastic” or “necessary and proper” clause of the Constitution).

[[Alexander Hamilton]]:  federal government has whatever powers are not denied to it (e.g., power to establish a national bank, by virtue of the “elastic” or “necessary and proper” clause of the Constitution).

Jefferson:  federal government only has the powers expressly given it.

Jefferson:  federal government only has the powers expressly given it.

==The Presidency of John Adams==

==The Presidency of John Adams==