Liberty advocate. [volume] (Liberty, Miss.) 1835-1866, 1839-06-24
From the Neav York Commercial
The Fiftieth Year.

4
| The 4th dav of March was the fitch amir
yersnry ofthe United States, under the present
conslilution. Finding that tho old articles OF
confcderation were not strong enough 10 bi2R
the States together, and, that when relieved
| from the external pressure OF common danger,
! the bindngforcc of those articles were httie
stronger tlkna rope of sand, the convention OF
1887 vas convoked by the patriotism Of the
country, and our present constitution was the
resul, ortheir wisdom. During the year 1898,
the States were engaged in discussing the new
constitution, and proposing the amendments
made conditions precedent to Ils adoption
The consequence ofdeay was, that the constI-
tuition itself did .not go inlo.ctect until the 4thI
Ior March, 1799 The sem.centenal annigcr-
sarv of this event, came upon us on the 4th oil
March, and the event itself was celebrated att
Washington on that day, by many distinguish
ed gentlemen, Senator's, Representatives and
others, by dinner; and appropriate toasts and
speeches. Foremost and most eloquent among
the speakers the great delondefoI the Con
sttution, Daniel Webster.
But although the constitution became of full
force and virtue on the 4lh OF March, 1889, the
wheels Of Government were not brought into
| full plav until nearly two months alterward. -
The inference is, that IN those days Of pure pat
riotsn, men were less greedy oloifice than al
present. For although both houses Of Con
gress attempted to assemble on the day pre-
scrbed by the new Constitution which was the
4th of March, yet Il quorum OF neither house
appeared, and both houses were obliged to ad.
Ijourn over from day to day, week after week,
before either could be organized. Thrice did
tl, l. I-,
circulars to The abscntces, urging them tocome
and take their seats, 1t was not, therefore,
until the lst OF April, that quorum appeared
! in the House Of Representatives., aad not until
the 9th Of that month, that 10y the arrival OF
Richard Henry Lee, OF Virginia, that the Sen,
ate was enabled to organize and proceed 10
business john Langdon was elected President
Of the Senate, pro tenn, and Frederick Augustus
Nluhlenburg, Speaker Of the House.
The first act Of Congress was TO count the
votes for President and Vice President. Only
ten States had then placed themselves within
the pale of the Union by ratItying the Consttu.
ton. The whole number of votes given was
siXty-nine, every one OF which was spontane-
ousy given to GEORGE WASHINGTON
for President. The vote Cor Vice President
stood--for Jno. Adams 81, Jno. Jay 8, Robt.
4 ii. Harrison 6, Jno. Rutedge 6,Jno, Hancock 4,
Geo. Clinton 4, SAM. Huntingdon and Jno.
\ Milton 2, each, and one each Tor Edward
TeIlair, James Armstrong, and Benz. Lin
coin.
The result having been asccrtained, Charles
Thompson, the Secretary oftho old Congress,
was despatched TO Mount Vernon, as commits.
sloner, to notify the chioltain of his election,
: and accompany him 10 New York, to enter up.
on the duties of his exalted station His pro-
, gress was one Of triumph, his arrival in New
York, on the 23d fApril, was hailed with de-
gree Of patriotic enthusiasm which has never
been equalled since--and but one approached.
; l'ha! approach was made on the landing of La
: tayettc in the summer Of 1894. The marshall
: who conducted the pageant of the day yet sur
vives-Generai Morgan Lewis
: The Inauguration of the President did no,
take place until the Goth Of April The Vice
, President, John Adams, had been indicted in
to office few days before without public cerc-
mony' But the Inauguration of the beloved
: falher OF his Country, was the occasion Of an
: imposing pageant and solemn ceremony. The
oath OF office was administered upon the terrace
> IN front oithe ancient City Hail. at the hsad of
Broad street, by Chancellor Livingston, dressed
IN full suit OF black. The Secretary Of the
Senate held the Bible upon rich cushion Of
crimson velvet The man on whom all ewes
were turned, stretched forth his hand with sim
pIlclty and dignity. The oath was administer
: ed. The Bible was raised, and his head bowed
upon II to kiss the sacred volume. The Chan
IcclIor then proclaimed it was done, in full dis
tlnct voice, and in the following words: -"L,oNG
LIVE GEORGE WASHINGTON, PRESIDENT OF THE
UNITED STATES" The silence of thousands
was at an end-the air was rent with accIama.
ions, dictated by reason, and bursting from
Inc hearts and tongues of men who felt that rbe
happiness OF themselves, their posterity. was
secure. ~ ""'
From this Hall, the President, Vice President
inc members of both houses of Congress. and
large concourse of people proceeded 10 Trinity
Ghurcn, where the august ceremonies ofthe day
cloSed oy solemn religious service, conducted
oy BISHOP Provost. Such is birds eve glance
a. me events OF fifty years ago; and in view of
!ne .act mat the inauguration Of the first Pres
1ent TOOK place in this city, and that the wheels
OF me Governmen; was first set in motion here
Inc Inc New York Historical Society has over nroo.
cry resolved to celebrate the day on which
.no GROWING work was done by appropriate
exercises and festivities. A committee has
been appointed to procure the delivery ora dis.
CURSE on Inc Soth OF, April, inst. and to make
dent. - JNNsSu 0APo
:, Meihodist Minister Murdered. "A Rev. Mr..