Washington and Trump

On the 30th of April 1789, George Washington said in his Inaugural address:

“No People can be bound to acknowledge and adore the invisible hand, which conducts the Affairs of men more than the People of the United States.

………. the foundations of our National policy will be laid in the pure and immutable principles of private morality; and the pre-eminence of a free Government, (will) be exemplified by all the attributes which can win the affections of its Citizens, and command the respect of the world.

……… there exists in the economy and course of nature, an indissoluble union between virtue and happiness, between duty and advantage, between the genuine maxims of an honest and magnanimous policy, and the solid rewards of public prosperity and felicity:

……… the propitious smiles of Heaven, can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right, which Heaven itself has ordained: And since the preservation of the sacred fire of liberty, and the destiny of the Republican model of Government, are justly considered as deeply, perhaps as finally staked, on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people.”

Compare that with these words from the text of Donald Trump’s Inaugural address:

“…….. today we are not merely transferring power from one Administration to another, or from one party to another – but we are transferring power from Washington, D.C. and giving it back to you, the American People.

……… What truly matters is not which party controls our government, but whether our government is controlled by the people.

January 20th 2017, will be remembered as the day the people became the rulers of this nation again.

The forgotten men and women of our country will be forgotten no longer.

……. a nation exists to serve its citizens.

…….. We are one nation ………. We share one heart, one home, and one glorious destiny.

…….. The Bible tells us, “how good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity.”

We must speak our minds openly, debate our disagreements honestly, but always pursue solidarity.

……… we are protected by God.

……… In America, we understand that a nation is only living as long as it is striving.

……… And whether a child is born in the urban sprawl of Detroit or the windswept plains of Nebraska, they look up at the same night sky, they fill their heart with the same dreams, and they are infused with the breath of life by the same almighty Creator.

So to all Americans, in every city near and far, small and large, from mountain to mountain, and from ocean to ocean, hear these words:

You will never be ignored again.

Your voice, your hopes, and your dreams, will define our American destiny. And your courage and goodness and love will forever guide us along the way.”

Different times. Very different styles of English.

The first guy wrote long, complex sentences which sound like Jane Austen to me.

Potus 45 reminds me more of Wordsworth.

More direct and more communicative to more people.

Perhaps more democratic.

Geoff Fox, 2020, Down Under