Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1865-03-15
CLEARFIELD. PA, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15 1865.
PRESIDENTS OF THE U. STATES.
Inaugural Ceremonies in the Past.

had five precedents by which it could be
conducted. Washington, Jefferson 1ladi-
| son, Monroe, and jackson were the only Ex
ecutives WHO received the same mark Of pop
| ular confidence which the American people
have recently extended to Abraham Lincoln.
| Since the foundation of our Government
there have been but six reflections, and to
but six Of our Presidents. has been allowed
the honoro of reading two inaugural addresses.
| The Inauguration of George Washington.
The fourth of March, 1889, was selected
as the day on which the new system of gov
ernment was TO go into operation, but ow-
| ing to delays incident In SO radical change
| in the national life, the christening was post
poned until the 30th of April. The origi-
nal intention was that on the 9th the oath
should be administered, but suddenly there
| arose out of the expiring embers OF arsto--
cratic sentiment Il question as to the title OF
| the President elect Should it be His Hon
| or, His Grace, His Excellency, or should
| more regal title be allowed the first in war,
first in peace and the first in the hearts of
his countrymen. For three days the eX
citement in Congress was intense, the de-
bate waxed warm, when sudd 3nly member
rose and moved that } ohm Adams, the Vice
President elect, should, be styled his ''su-
perfuous Excellency."
The absurdity Of fixed title in repub
lie was at once perceived. and it was agreed
to term him merely THE President of the
| United States This vital difficulty having
been obviated the Inauguration was then
decided to be celebrated At o clock on
the morning of the 30th religious. services
were held in all the churches of New Y orl,,
| and prayer put up to heaven for blessings on
| the new government and the man of the
people choice. At noon all the troops in
| the city were paraded before the Generals
door. and soon after various committees OF
Congress and heads Of the department cal
led In their carriages to form an escort to,
conduct the President elect to the place Of
ceremony.
At halfpast - the procession moved for
ward First came the troops, with banners
streaming, the band playing the national
al irs; next came the long line of carriages,
containing the Committee and members of
Congress, the Heads of the various Depart
ments just appointed to their posts, and
| then Washington in coach Of state, drawn
by six milk-white horses, beautifully com,
parisoned next Colonel Humphreys and
Mr. Lear of the General private military
family, while long line of Foreign Minis
ters and citizens closed the imposing con
course.
\ short distance before reaching the Hall,
Washington and his suite alighted and pas
sed through the troops drawn up on each
side into the Senate Chamber, where John
Adams, the Vice-President, just inaugural
ed, together with The full Senate and House
Of Representatives. We're assembled to re
ceive him The Fice-President advanced
and conducted him to the chair of State,
placed at the upper end Of the Hall, all the
memberpresent standing. A solemn silence
h., h. We Doc, nj
informed him that all things were prepared
for him to take the oath Of Office required
by the Constitution The oath was to be
administered in a balcony in front Of the
Senate Chamber, and in full view of an inn
mense multitude, occupying the streets, the
windows, and even covering the roofs OF the
adjacent houses.
In the centre of the balcony was placed
table with crimson covering of velvet, on
which lay superbly bound Bible. This,
remarks Irving, was all the paraphernalla
Of the august scene. The focus towards
which all eyes were turned was the balcony.
and when at the appointed time Washing
ton, accompanied by all the high public
functionaries and members of Congress,
appeared, he was hailed by universal shouts
Marshall states that he was clad in full
suit OF dark brown cloth Of American man
ufacture with a steel hilted dress sword
white silk stockings and silver shoe buck
les, shorts being at that time the height of
fashion His hair was powdered and dres-
sed in the fashion of the day, and worn in a
bag and sOtttatre.
TIE cheers which greeted his entrance
moved him greatly, and advancing, he laid
his hand on his heart and bowed several
times A profound silence ensued;, After
few moments Washington came forward
supported on his right by John Adams, the
ce-President, and left by Robert r. Liv-
ingstone, Chancellor of the State of New
York directly behind them stood Roger
Sherman, Hamilton, Generals Knox, st.
Clair, and the Baron Steuben.
The Chancellor advanced to administer
the oath and Mr. Otis held up his Bible on
rich cushion. The oath was read slowly
and distinctly. As the Chancellor read the
solemn words Il do solemnly swear that
L will faithfully execute the office, of
President of the United States to the best
of my ability, preserve, protect and defend
the Constitution of the United States, a
voice ceased, General Washington replied
clearly and solemnly, II swear. so help me
God Mr. Otis raised the Bible to his lips,
but he bowed down reverently and kissed 1t.
The Chancellor then stepped forward, waved
his band and exclaimed, Long live George
Washington, President of the United
States I"
In commencing his address he paid
compliment to the genius and patriotism of
Washington, and Immediately proceeded to
give his views of the administration Of gov
ernment in the longest sentence found IN
any work of the English language. 1t COW
ers four pages of an ordinary duodecimo
volume We cannot but view with wonder
| how he ever was enabled to consistently de-