Article II, Section 3 of the US Constitution requires the president to “give to the Congress Information on the State of the Union.” On January 8, 1790, President George Washington fulfilled that obligation with an address to a joint chamber in New York City.
Washington begins by welcoming North Carolina into the union and then thanking congress for their service. His first mention of domestic policy is on national defense, saying, “To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace.”
On immigration, “Various considerations also render it expedient that the terms on which foreigners may be admitted to the rights of citizens should be speedily ascertained by a uniform rule of naturalization.”
We were an infant nation at that time and parts of Washington speech illustrate how young we were, such as when he said, “Uniformity in the currency, weights, and measures of the United States is an object of great importance, and will, I am persuaded, be duly attended to.” Our youth is again exampled by the need “of facilitating the intercourse between the distant parts of our country by a due attention to the post-office and post-roads.”
In calling for “the promotion of science and literature,” Washington delivers an artful recommendation; “Knowledge is in every country the surest basis of public happiness. In one in which the measures of government receive their impressions so immediately from the sense of the community as in ours it is proportionably essential.” Hear, hear.
This Annual Address is not constitutionally required to be an annual message. The Constitution describes the frequency as “from time to time.” The standard has always been annually and likely won’t change. There is also no requirement for the message to be delivered as a speech. Washington and John Adams (that’s Adams with a sword) delivered a speech, but then Thomas Jefferson set a new precedent by sending his message via a courier, which then became the new standard. That was a great thing. College lecturer Woodrow Wilson broke Jefferson’s precedent.
I always hope a new president will follow Jefferson’s method instead of continuing to follow Wilson’s because today’s State of the Union, as it is now officially called, has devolved into a partisan clapping show that is far too drawn out to be watched. Transcripts are quickly available, which offer substance without the silly need to clap at everything, or depending on your party, to not clap at all. I rarely clap [hold for applause] when I read.
Washington ends his speech with great optimism. “I shall derive great satisfaction from a cooperation with you in the pleasing though arduous task of insuring to our fellow citizens the blessings which they have a right to expect from a free, efficient, and equal government.” Vague but a lasting goal for all future chief executives.