Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1889-05-02


United States, raised SIX thousand millions
OF dollars, Its credit growing hrmer as its
power and resources were demonstrated.
The congress OF the confederation 4 sd from
a regiment which It could not pay; the
congress Of the union reviewed the COM
rsdes of million OF Its victorious soldiers,
saluttng az they marched the nag OF the
nation, whose supremacy they had sus-
talned. The promises OF the oonfederacy
were the sc n az its states: the pledge OF
the republic was the honor OF its people.
The pride OF the states and the ambition
OF their leaders, sectional jealousies, and
the overwhelming distrust Of centralized
power, were all afrayed against the adop-
ton OF the constitution. North Carolina
aud Rhode Isanf refused to join the union
until long after Wnshlngton'sin inauguration
For months New York was debatable
ground. Her territory extending from the
sea to the lakes, made her the keystone OF
the arch. Success was due TO confidence
IN Washington and the genius OF Alexander
Hamilton. Jefferson was the inspiration OF
independence, but Hamilton was the incar-
nation Of the constitution. In no age nor
country has there appeared a more pre-
cocious or amazing intelligence than Ham
ilton. At II he anuihlated the president OF
his college unon the question OF the rights
Of the colonies. In series Of anonymous
articles which were credited to the ablest
men IN The country at AZ, when he died,
bis briefs bad become the law of the lana,
and his nacal system wss, and after hun.
dred years remains. the rule aud policy OF
our government. He gave lie to the corpse
OF national credit, and the strength for self
preservation and aggressive power TO the
Federal Union. Both as an expounder OF
tho principles and m administrator OF the
affairs OF government he stands supreme
and unrivalled In American history. His
a uyaa In
80 clear, and his reasoning so irresistible,
that he swayed with equal ease popular
assemblies, grave senate5, and learned
judges. He captured the people OF the
whole country for the constitution by his
papers In the Federalist. and conquered the
hostile minority In the New York conven-
tlou by the splendor OF his oratory.
But the multitudes whom no argument
could convince, who saw In the executive
power and centralized force OF the constt-
tuition, under another name, the dreaded
usurpation OF king and ministry, were salts
lled only with the assurance, washington
will be President" Good" cried John
erty, as he dropped his opposition; "for to
no other mortal would | trust authority so
enormous" "Washington will be Presi-
dent" was the bRttle-cry OF the constitu-
ton. 1t quletsd alarm and RaveconAdence
to the timid and courage to the weak. The
unity, but the chief with the greatest reluc-
tance. In the Fupreme moment OF Victory.
when the world expected him TO follow the
presidents OF the past, and perpetuate the
power grateful country would willingly
have left In his hands. he had resigned and
retired to Mount Vernon to enjoy In private
station his we'll. earned rest. The conyen-
ton created bv his exerttons to prevent, as
he said. "the decline OF our Federal dignity
into Insignificant and wretched fragments
OF empire" had called him to preside over
its deliberations. Its work made possible
the realization OF his hope that, 1--WE might
survive as an independent republic" and
again ne sought the seclusion of his home.
But, AFTER the triumph of the war, and the
formation OF the constitution, came the
third and final crisis: the initial move
ments OF government which we're to teach
the infant state the steadier steps OF empire.
Ha alone could stay assault and inspire
confidence while the great and complicated
machinery OF organized government was
put In order and set In motion. Doubt
existed nowhere except In his modest and
unambitious heart. His whole lite had bean
spent in repeated sacrifices for his coun-
try's welfare, and he did not hesitate now,
though there Ia an undertone of inexpref ST.
bie sadness In this entry In his diary on the
night Of his departure: "About 10 o'clock
babe adieu TO Mount Vernon, to private
life, and 10 domestic felicity, and WITH q
mind oppressed with more anxious and
painful sensations than have words to
express. set out for New York with the best
disposition TO render eervlce to my country
In obedience to Its call, but with less hope
OF answering its expectations"
No congueror was ever accorded such
triumph. no ruler ever received such well
rome. In this memorable march OF sis
Gays to the capi'al, Il was the pride OF
states to accompany him with the masses
OF their people to their borders that the
citizens OF the next commonwealth might
escort him through Its territory. L. was
the glory Of cities to receive him with every
civic honor at their gates, and entertain
him as the savior OF their liberties. BE
rode under trlnmphal arches from which
children lowered laurel wreaths upon hts
hr'w. The roadways were strewn with
flowers, and as they were crushed beneath
ills horss's hoois, taeir sweet Incense waited
10 Heaven the ever ascending. prayers OF
hts loving countrymen for his life and
safety. The swelling anthem of gratitude
ana reverence greeted and followed him
along the country size and through the
crowded streets: "LonR live George Wash
tngtonl Long live the Father Of his peo-
plel'
His entry into New York was worthy the
city and state. He Was met by the chief
officers Of the retiring government of the
country, by the governor OF the common
wealth, and the whole population. This
superb harbor was alive with hsets and
days, and the ships of other nations with
salutes from their guns, and the cheegs OF
their crews added to the Joyous acclaim.
But as the captains who had asked the
privilege, bending proudly to their oars,
rowed the President's barge swiftly through
these inspiring scenes, Washineton's mind
and heart were full OF reminiscene and
forebodtug.
The first Congress OF the United Stntes
gathered IN this ancient temple OF liberty.
greeted Washington and accompanied him /
to the balcony. The famous men visible !,
bout him were Chancellor Livingston. I
Yice-presldeut John Adams, Alexander {
Hamilton, Governor Clinton, Roger Sher-
uau, Richard Henry Lee, General Knox
and Baron Steuhen. Bat we believe that
among the invisible host above him, at this \
supreme moment Of the elimination In !
permanent triumph Of the thousands OF
years OF struggle for sell, government, were
the spirits OF the soldiers OF the revolution
who had died that their countrymen might
enjoy this blessed day, and with them we're
tho Baron5 OF Runnymede and William the
Silent, aud s dney and Rnssell, and Crom-
we'll and Hampden, and tue heroes and
martyrs OF liberty OF every race and age.
AS he came forward, the multitude In the
streets, in the windows, and on the roofs
sent up such rapturous shout that Wash ,
ihgton sat down overcome with emotion.
As he slowly rose and his tall and majestic
form again appeared. the people, deeply
affected, In awad silence viewed the scene,
The chancellor soiemnly read to him the
oath OF ofllce, and Washington, repeating,
said, Il do solemniy swear that l will
faithfully execute the Office of President OF
the United States aad will. 10 the best of
my ability, preserve, protect and defend
the constitution of the United States"
Then he reversntly bent low and kissed the
Bible. utterlng with profound emotion,
80 help me, God" The chancellor waived
his robes and shouted. ut is done; long
live George Washington. President Of the