Governor Bill AnoatubbyFebruary 2013
Inauguration history reflects America’s pragmatic approach
With the January 21 inauguration of President Obama, our country has once again entered a time of “new beginning.”
The word “inaugurate” is defined as “to bring about the beginning of.” This is a simple definition, but one that has come to reflect the continual rebirth of the United States.
Americans are, by their nature, continually launching new beginnings. In their personal lives, community lives, work lives and spiritual lives, Americans are always seeking ways to refresh their approaches and come up with new and better ways of doing things and enjoying life.
We can view past presidential inaugurations as representations of this uniquely American “new start” way of thinking.
With the very first inauguration of George Washington in 1789, the new president expressed his fervent hope in the new country and the Almighty when he extemporaneously added, “so help me God” at the end of the oath of office. The new president no doubt understood the tremendous challenges that lay ahead for America, and knew he would need the Lord’s help!
In 1812, James Madison was to be inaugurated on the steps of the new U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Making the best of a challenging situation, the president relocated the entire ceremony in case the British decided to sail up the Potomac and level artillery fire on the August gathering! The Americans were nothing if not pragmatic.
The words “financial crisis” are not new to our country. Our ninth president, William H. Harrison, came into office in 1841 on the heels of a tremendous depression sweeping the country. Speculative lending practices, collapsing land values and cotton prices had, beginning in 1837, wracked the country and driven unemployment to the 25% level. It had not helped that Andrew Jackson, during his term, had vetoed the recharter of the Second Bank of the United States, which had served as the nation’s central bank.
The country was financially rudderless and falling deeper into despair. The newly-elected Harrison delivered a very long and, no doubt, inspiring inaugural address in wet and cold weather. While the promises were solid, the new president’s health was not. He contracted pneumonia and served only one month in office before dying. Despite this tragic event, and the Constitution’s oversight in not establishing a succession plan in such a case, the republic marched on and returned to the pink of economic health by 1845.
It was written that in Washington on March 4, 1861, “the air was thick with rumors of rebel plots to assassinate the new president, or to capture him and carry him off before he could take hold of the reins of government.” Abraham Lincoln showed up anyway and produced a stirring address directed at bringing the Union back together. Seven states had already seceded and established the Confederate States of America.
“We are not enemies, but friends,” President Lincoln said. “Though passion may have strained it, it must not break our bonds of affection.”
During his address, the new president could not find a spot to place his trademark stovepipe hat. An old Illinois adversary, Stephen A. Douglas, with whom Lincoln had battled in numerous political debates, was present on the dais. He held the hat for the new president. Douglas was heard to quietly speak encouraging words to Lincoln as he delivered his speech.
At his March 4, 1933 inauguration, during the depths of the Great Depression, Franklin Roosevelt said, “…let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is…fear itself – nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyses needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.”
As always, Americans began their new “starting over.” Much would change in America during President Roosevelt’s terms. The biggest constant throughout the period was the demonstrated resilience of the American people. By the time of the president’s death in his fourth term, World War II was ending and the country was entering a time of tremendous prosperity.
We read a lot today about the troubles in Washington, the failed attempts at compromise, political shenanigans, bad behavior and so much more. It is good to keep in mind that Americans always overcome the challenges they face together. We are a nation of optimists and achievers. All we have to do is read our history.
As British prime minister Winston Churchill once said of Americans, “You can always count on them to do the right thing – after they have tried everything else!”
