1788: George Washington Elected President
Presidential Title Debate
Just prior to John Adams’ taking office of Vice President, a debate brewed regarding the President of the United States’ style of address. The common narrative through history is that Federalists were closet monarchists and the Democratic-Republicans were farmer-jacobins — this debate helped to solidify that caricature. Led by Adams, the Federalists (and the initial consensus position of the Senate) supported His Highness, The President and Protector of our Liberties.
The idea that the President’s title would be “His Highness, The President” today seems ridiculous. We have an expectation of republican simplicity that fits the modern “Mr. President” style of address.
The debate isn’t as frivolous as it would initially seem.
First, the experiment of a modern republic was happening in real time and the first government did not have the benefit of modernity for reference. Second, the President of the United States needed to stand on a level playing field with other world powers, and the position needed to remain as empowered as possible to stand even with those other states. History is littered with examples of nations whose leaders gain additional titles, such as emperor, caesar, or the like. Third, there was a question of aspiration — a larger title places emphasis on the importance of the role and the special type of person needed to fix that role, but it also creates a sense of elitism and separation from the people.
But the correct decision was made, in retrospect. First, the title of Mr. President correctly reflects the tone of government that the United States and republican government preferred to project. Second, the reality we know today is that power is economic, cultural, and military, and not granted through royal title — a banana republic can call their leader World Dictator for all it matters, and it doesn’t gain that leader or nation an extra ounce of attention. Third, a republic is only as strong as its citizenry, and a good republic should have plenty of people who are qualified to serve as president. There is no need to identify a president as anything other than someone filling an important role for a limited period.
In other words, a republic’s strength is its people and its production. Titles are ultimately meaningless other than as a simple sign of respect. Mister or Ms. is sufficient for the purpose.