Resonation Of Divinity In The First Seven Us Presidents' Inaugural Addresses

Introduction:calling his people as fellow-citizens provided seven
All American presidents from the first to theparagraphs and only at the end he felt "the
43rd, George W. Bush, have had their ownguardianship and guidance":
agendas. The 1776 revolution and the subsequentIn these my confidence will under every difficulty
conventions that followed the Independence Daybe best placed, next to that which we have all
were all arranged so that at last the mostbeen encouraged to feel in the guardianship and
powerful person of a superpower country in theguidance of that Almighty Being whose power
world is created and given shape. This character isregulates the destiny of nations, whose blessings
the president of the United States. Although thehave been so conspicuously dispensed to this
head of the executive branch, in comparison withrising Republic, and to whom we are bound to
congress, Senate and the Judiciary, US presidentsaddress our devout gratitude for the past, as well
through out history have repeatedly indicated,as our fervent supplications and best hopes for
directly or indirectly, that it is the president whothe future."
has the word in major concerns of the country,Madison is also inclined to accept, or one may add
especially wars.believe that this America is the "destiny" regulated
The line of this powerfulness starts with Georgeby the Lord and makes people think positively of
Washington, who was involved in thethe past and hopefully about the future.
revolutionary wars of independence. In order toIn the second long paragraph, Madison, who is
narrow the scope and broaden the affectivity, thenow fallen deep into the webs of war, fills the air
writer of this short essay has decided to considerof his speech with war discourse without any
only the elements related to divinity in sevenindication to their permanent guardian. Even in the
presidents' inaugural speeches.last paragraph, this is usually devoted to prayer to
These men are the first seven ones who each inGod, Madison talks on the rights of their nation
a way laid the foundation stones of presidentialand the triumphs of heroes.
behavior, his power, duties and responsibilities.James Monroe, twice elected by his fellow-citizens,
They may have various approaches which couldproduced 21 paragraphs, nearly 7 pages, in which
be tracked down first in their presidentialhe announced proudly that the country has
addresses.passed chaotic years of the war and is now on
As one of the major sources that may helpthe verge of a great progress. Improvements
understand what is going on in the mind f thethat could be enjoyed during peace period
president and in his people's during the times bothconstitute main body of his speech and, like the
before and after the election could be theothers, he returns to God and reliance to gracious
inaugural address.Providence:
In this study after a quick glance over the 12"I enter on the trust to which I have been called
addresses that presidents produced before theby the suffrages of my fellow-citizens with my
public which revealed some interesting pointsfervent prayers to the Almighty that He will be
regarding the repetition of some key words suchgraciously pleased to continue to us that
as God, freedom, liberty, men, women, Indian andprotection which He has already so conspicuously
slaves (note 1), a reading will be done in whichdisplayed in our favor."
every president's use of any word related toMonroe fixes his opinion that objects of his "most
divinity is highlighted and discussed. The writerfervent prayers to the supreme author of all
hopes that at the end the amount of eachgood" will be "liberty, prosperity and happiness of
president's feeling of a godly presence in hisour country."
speech is revealed to the reader of this essay.The second address is even longer than the first
George Washington is the first whose lecture isand covers materials more diverse and tangible
too be dismantled in the hope of finding athan those stated before by the past presidents
non-human power. Washington went directly tocover. it seems that US has gained its position
god in his second paragraph. (There areand thinking more openly bout pushing the barriers
paragraphs) with saying:back and thrust itself as much s possible either in
"It would be peculiarly improper to omit in thisterms of geography or in terms of economy.
first official act my fervent supplications to thatMonroe, who originated the famous "Monroe
Almighty Being who rules over the universe, whoDoctrine" 1, confirms his "firm reliance on the
presides in the councils of nations, and whoseprotection of Almighty God."
providential aids can supply every human defect,He is much engaged with practical issues of the
that His benediction may consecrate to theday rather than with slogans like that of Jefferson
liberties and happiness of the people of the Unitedor his predecessors.
States a Government instituted by themselvesOn Friday, March 4, 1825, John Quincy Adams
for these essential purposes, and may enableappeared in his fellow-citizens' presence to bind
every instrument employed in its administration tohimself by "religious obligation to the faithful
execute with success the functions allotted to hisperformance of the duties" allotted to him. Ten
charge. In tendering this homage to the Greatparagraphs are given and Adams ends his
Author of every public and private good, I assurecommitments:
myself that it expresses your sentiments not less"Fervent supplications for His favor, to His
than my own, nor those of my fellow-citizens atoverruling providence I commit with humble but
large less than either."fearless confidence my own fate and the future
In this paragraph, Washington reminds himself anddestinies of my country."
the rest of the country that it (independence andThe abstraction of divinity and belief in that
the government) is the grant of the "Almightyconcept which was prevalent in the first two or
Being" who rules over the world. In addition, thatthree presidents' speech is now gone. This soulless
his "invisible hand" conducts and will do so, thespeech is now fallen deep in practicality and dealing
affairs of men more than those of the Unitedwith states' power.
States. Washington does not finish with God hereThe last president under study here is Jackson.
and again at the end of his first address "resortsAndrew insisted in calling his audience
once more to the Parent of the Human Race" ,fellow-citizens, repeated in his predecessors'
do that "His divine blessing my be equallyspeech. He talked of his zealous dedication to their
conspicuous in the enlarged views , the temperateservice and did not take too much time by saying
consultations , and the wise measures on whichthat he will do his best, and finished off his
the success of this government must depend."inaugural address:
However, Washington does not go into the God"And a firm reliance on the goodness of that
dialogue with his people in his second presidentialPower whose providence mercifully protected our
address that is rather brief, only taking people asnational infancy, and has since upheld our liberties
witnesses to his deeds.in various vicissitudes, encourages me to offer up
The second president, John Adams, who camemy ardent supplications that He will continue to
into power in 1797, gives a long lecture about 14make our beloved country the object of His
paragraphs (while Washington's was 6), and just adivine care and gracious benediction."
four line paragraph is devoted to his "AlmightyJackson is considered to have been a very strong
Being" concerns. John Adams, who was thoughtperson with power against states and senate who
to be a tough and rather conservative character,painted a tough picture of Federal Government
thus ended his exhaustive address:during his time. In his second speech, he gave the
"And may that Being who is supreme over all, thelast paragraph, which is to be deemed as
Patron of Order, the Fountain of Justice, and theobligatory to ask god for his protection and
Protector in all ages of the world of virtuoussuccess.
liberty, continue His blessing upon this nation and"Finally, it is my most fervent prayer to that
its Government and give it all possible success andAlmighty Being before whom I now stand, and
duration consistent with the ends of Hiswho has kept us in His hands from the infancy of
providence."our Republic to the present day, that He will so
Adams' belief in providence, order and Justice isoverrule all my intentions and actions and inspire
clearly indicated and he believes that God is thethe hearts of my fellow-citizens that we may be
protector of all. He talks well of the duties andpreserved from dangers of all kinds and continue
benefits of government, an entity guarded byforever a united and happy people."
constitution, chosen by the people and for theConclusion:
people.As revealed in this study, nearly all the 12
Thomas Jefferson gave his first inaugural addressaddresses except Monroe's second oration had
in 1801. Jefferson's government, called during theresonations of a divine presence. Seven
time a revolutionary one, had acted in a populistpresidents who were mostly from high ranks of
way and Jeff, himself believed in simplicity whichsociety when elected, although Washington
showed itself in brushing off the lavishness of thestarted from his farm, but even he was to fight
Whitehouse.enormously and then be chosen as the
In his third paragraph (all were 6), the thirdpresident-hero of American people. In addition to
president argues that a government (like that ofthis, the common people were not included in the
him!) is the one which is necessary after humancircle of voters until Jackson's presidency, and
beings have honesty, truth, temperance,that would simply mean creating a power pyramid
gratitude, love and providence practiced as theirfor nearly 50 years from which the layman had
professed religion. Thus, Jefferson's approachno share. Entrance of the people occurred when
towards this political entity, government is tothe game was set and the elites of the past and
have it as an inseparable part of people's religion.present had regulated rules.
At the end he says:American presidents, whatever their policies are,
"And may that Infinite Power which rules theenjoyed speaking respectfully of God and their
destinies of the universe lead our councils to whatdestiny written by the Great Author of their
is best, and give them a favorable issue for yourexceptional Providence .either they or the
peace and prosperity."majority of population consisting their audience
Jefferson's last paragraph in his second addresswas thinking of their republican government as an
tempts the reader (and the listener of the time)entity guarded by the Almighty.
to think of him as a servant dedicating his life toNote 1: Number of the words related to divinity in
his country's security, justice, peace andall 12 speeches is 838 out of 23400 words, nearly:
prosperity. This president of the "Israel of Old"5%.The folloeing are Each key word's repetition in
says that he is aware and fearful of his faults and12 inaugural addresses by the first seven
errors of judgment. Thus he asks "the favor ofpresidents of the US.
that being in whose hands we are, who led ourWord Repetition:
fathers, as Israel of old, from their native land andGod 1, Christ 0
planted them in a country flowing with all thePeople 90, Christianity 1
necessaries and comforts of life; who hasPeace 49, Men 19
covered our infancy with His providence and ourWar 54, Man 10
riper years with His wisdom and power, and toLiberty 21, Woman 0
whose goodness I ask you to join in supplicationsFreedom 13, Duty 21
with me that He will so enlighten the minds ofProsperity 12, Indian 5
your servants, guide their councils, and prosperEquality 3, Slave 2
their measures that whatsoever they do shallPower 40, Government 114fellow-citizens 46,
result in your good, and shall secure to you thecitizens 18.o Monroe Doctrine: a doctrine according
peace, friendship, and approbation of all nations."to which the western hemisphere, including north
The war president, as one my call Madison sinceand South America, is under the protection of the
he experienced fighting seriously with the British inUnited States and no European country is allowed
his time, took the oath in 1809. James Madison,to have the right of colonization of the region.