Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1889-05-02
CENTENNIAL OF WASHING
TONS INAUGURATION.

CENTENNIAL OF WA8HING-
TOMS INAUGURATION.
1t was meet and proper that congress
should declare the centennial of Wash.
iogton's Inauguration a public holiday,
and that the Chief Magistrate Of the
Republic should designate an honr. for
prayer and thanksgiving on that day !.
This celebration is one which appeals
directly to the patriotic feeling Of the
whole American people. There is moth.
ing in the history of tho revolutionary
war-not even the surrender Of Corn.
wallis at Yorktown-half so significant
~ the adoption Of the constitution Of
1887, and the formal organization Of the
government of our forefrthers by the
inauguration Of the first president Of the
newborn Republic. 1t is most fitting
that its centenary should be celebrated
throughout the length and breadth Of the
country.
The Continental Congress had made
provision, in l7S8, for the choice Of
electors Of President and Vice President
on the first Wednesday Of January,
1889; their choice, in turn, Of the
President and Vice. President on the
first Wednesday Of February, and the
meeting Of the new congress, which wa.
to set the governmental machine, under
tho constitution, in operation, on the
1rst Wednesday Of March, which hap
pencd to be the 4,h day Of the month ia
that year. The members Of the new
congress were very slow 10 gathering al
the scat Of government, which was then
New York, and it was not until April 9Th
that the Senate secured a quorum and
tho votes we're opened and counted.
Washington vas still at Mount Vernon,
which was several days journey away,
and his election to the highest Office in
the gift Of his grateful countsymen WIS
not formally announced to him until
April IA, 1879. He accepted the off, q
with great reluctance, but he was sum-
moned BY shis country, whose voice he
could never herr but with veneration and
love. He set out from Mount Vernon
on April lG, tho second day after he
received notice Of his election. His
journey was continuous triumphal
procession. As he approached the towns
the people gathered to see him aud greet
him as he passed, and in the large cities
his ceming was announced BY the firing
Of cannon, the ringing Of bells, aud civic
and military displays. Further delays
after his arrival in Now York, while
congress discussed the title to be given
him, postponed his Inauguration. until
the 30ih day Of April. He took the
oath on balcony Of the old City Hall
in Wall street, the spot being now
marked by statue; and, after delivering
his inaugural address, he proceeded With
the whole assemblage, on foot to
St. Paurs church, which still stands
unchanged, where religious services were
held. The people had gathered at their
places Of worship at nine o'clock in the
morning and offered prayer for Gods
blessing on the government and it's first
President. On yesterday Benjamin
Harrison, himself the grandson of a
President, the twenty second successor Of
Of Washington, and just cnterin. upon
the twenty.sixth constitutional term of
tf6ce, stood on the spot where the first
President Of the United States began to
administer the Federal system in
America, and presided over the rejoicing
o. &c pc p in its success.
1t is impossible to overestimatc the
value Of the constitution and government
Of the United States among the political
institutions OF humanity, or to oyerrate
the influence which it has exerted aud
must continue to exert over the destiuies
of men. The greatest of English states
men-the noble Gladstone-pronounces
"the American constitution the most
wonderful work ever struck OF at given
time By the brain and purpose of man"
The recen, book Of Professor Bryce, the
distinguished member for Aberdeen.
received with extraordinary praise on
both sides Of the A'lsLtic, declares the
characteristic merit Of the An e-icau
constitution lies in the method by which
We have lvtd the problem Of Keeping
the Centrifugal and cebtripetal force. in
tquilibrium, SO that neither the planet
states shall ay of into space, nor the sun
Of the Central Government draw them
into its consuming fires. We, who look
back over hundred years Of government
under its provisions, stand to-day