The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1889-03-08

9
vidual vote in the United States. But there
was no such unanimity in the choice for vice
president, John Adams receiving little more
than a majority of the electoral votes. Owing
to the badness of the roads, and not little
to what now seems criminal neglect, the
members of the first house did not assemble in
sufficient numbers to form quorum until
the 9th of April, 1889, and on that day the
votes Of the electors were opened and count
ed. Official information was Immediately
communicated to Washington and Adams
and preparations made for an impressive in
auguration. On the 18th of April Charles
Thompson, secretary of the late congress,
conveyed official notice to Washington, and
he set out at once, his journey being
continued triumphal procession.
As they drew near the city of New
York it was seen that all the vessels and boats
were highly decorated and crowded with
spectators, and his progress was accompanied
with the music Of many bands, the roar of
cannon and loud acclamations Of the people.
Landing at Murray's wharf he was re-
ceived by the governor, corporation of the
city, clergy, foreign ministers and the mill
tary and escorted to his residence. On the
3Oth of April service was held in all the
churches of the city at 9 o'clock in the
morning and soon after noon the committees
of congress and heads of departments waited
upon Washington and grand procession
was formed, the military in advance, the
committees next, then the president in coach
accompanied by his aid-de-camp, Col. Hum
phreys, and his private secretary, Tobias Lear.
After them were various civil officers and
citizens. Arriving at Federal hall, they were
conducted by Marshal Webb to the senate
chamber at the door Of which the president
was formally received by Vice President
Adams, previously inaugurated, and con-
Quoted to his seat. Both houses OF congress
occupied the senate chamber before him.
Then the vice president, addressing Washing
ton, said:
"Sir, the senate and house of representa-
tives Of the United States are ready to attend
you to take the oath required by the constitu-
ton, which will be administered by the chan
cellor of the state of New York"
Washington responded: II am ready to
proceed" Then they passed to the open porch
at the south end of the hall, where Chancellor
Livingston, of New York, pronounced the
oath, and Washington, holding up his right
hand reverently, in q clear, strong voice,
said
II, George Washington, do solemnly swear
that I will faithfully execute the office of
president of the United States, and will, to
the best of my ability, preserve, protect and
defend the constitution of the United States"
Then kissing the book which Marshal Webb
held up to him, he added, $50 help me Cod"
The chancellor then, turning to thepeople, ex-
claimed in a loud voices Long live George
Washington, president of the United States!"
A roar of applause went up from the 900
or 10000 people present, which was followed
Immediately by shouts in all the adjacent
sections and the thunder Of cannon. Wash
ington bowed to the assembled multitude and
returned to the senate chamber, where, both
houses and the officials being seated, he de-
ivered his inauguration speech. Then the
new president and the members of both
houses proceeded to st. Paul's church and
Joined in the prayers which were offered by
DR.. Provost, lately ordained bishop Of the
Protestant Episcopal church in New York
and appointed chaplain of the senate.
It is scarcely possible to describe the con-
trast between this scene and Washingtons
second inauguration. At the first the young
republic exhibited all the display that it
could muster. The second was very quiet.
The French revolution and the negotiations
with Great Britain, the whisky insurrection
then beginning in western Pennsylvania and
the i'll fortune that had followed the opera
tions against the Indians had reused furi-
GUS party spirit in the congress. On the one
hand many public persons were vehemently
charged with a monarchical bias, and the
opposition naturally going to the extreme.
fought against every form of state ceremony.
Mindful of these signs and the necessity of
being complacent even to the prejudices Of
the people, Washington asked the opinions Of
his cabinet concerning the forms to be used.
jefferson and Hamilton, who seldom agreed
in anything, agreed in advising him
that he should take the oath of Office
privately at his own house, and that
certificate of that fact should be de-
posted in the state department Knox and
Randolph protested, insisting that the cere-
mony should be in public, but without any
ostentatious display At the cabinet meeting
on the LIST of March it was decided that the
oath should be administered by Judge Cush-
ing of the supreme court of the United States
in the senate chamber exactly at noon, and
shat the president shall go without form, at
tended by such gentlemen as he shall choose,
and return without form, except that he be
preceded by the marshal" the responsibility
being thus largely thrown upon Washington.
He rode from his residence to the congress
hall in his private cream colored coach,
drawn nv six horses precetled nv the mar