The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1889-04-26
George washington and John Adams were

George washington ana john Adams were
duly declared elected
General Washington left Mount Vernon
for New York on the morning of April 16.
Before his departure he wrote to Henry
Knox that his feelings were not unlike
those Of a culprit going to the place of ex-
ecution." Washington wished to make the
trip to New York as quietly and with as little
show as possible, but he soon found that this
was out of the question, owing to the pa
triotic ardor that was afiame everywhere,
and the intense admiration for the noble
chieftain; SO that his journey, instead of be-
ing devoid Of incident and ostentation, was
characterized by the widest enthusiasm of
the citizens all the way from Mount Vernon
to Federal Hall Towns and cities along
the route were in the highest pitch of
patriotic excitement, and Wed with each
other in honoring the hero of the Revolu-
ton and the first President of q peaceful
republic Among the displays was long
avenue of laurels through which Washing
ton was escorted at Gray's Ferry, in Penn
sylvania. As the President-elect passed
under the last arch, a boy, concealed in
the foliage above, dropped upon his head
handsome laurel crown The act aroused
enthusiastic demonstrations among the
spectators. A triumphal arch was erected
by ladies at Trenton. Riding upon his
white charger, Washington passed under
this and as he did so. thirteen beautiful
young ladies strewed flowers before the
hero, at the same time singing an ode
especially composed for the occasion.
Upon reaching Elizabethtown Point,
Washington was received by q committee
of Congress, Elias Boudinot, chairman with
whom were Robert r. Livingston, Chan
cellor of the State. Secretary Jay, Secre-
tary Knox, the Commissioners of the Treas
ury, Mayor Duane and Recorder varick, of
New York, and several other officials. A
barge elegantly decorated, and manned by
thirteen masterpieces in white uniforms,
was waiting at this point to con-
vey Washington and his party to
the city. As it moved away, other
barges, covered with decorations, fell into
line. This procession came through the
Kill Won Kull between New Jersey and
Staten Island) and up the bay, gathering
in its wake craft o. every description All
the vessels in the harbor, moving and at
anchor, were lavishly dressed with flags and
other emblems of rejoicing, the Spanish
man-of-war Galveston displaying variety
OF national colors from its rigging. A sloOp
under full sail contained twenty-five gentle
men and ladies, who sang an ode Of well
come to the tune of God Save the King"
in which every body within sound eagerly
joined Band music from boats on every
side, continual cheering and the boom of
artillery from the war vessels and neigh
boring forts filed the air, echoing and re-
echoing over the waters
The landing place was Murray's wharf,
near the foot of Wall street, where there
was ferry. Here the stairs and ratings
were carpeted and decorated Governor
Clinton formally received the President
elect, and an enthusiastic crowd that had
been waiting expectantly at the ferry made
the air ring with tumultuous cheering as he
appeared in the street 1t was difficult to
form a procession among the excited inhab-
itants, who were desperately struggling
with each other in an effort to see General
Washington, but after some delay this was
finally accomplished
Washington was escorted to the house Sc
lected for his official residence. large,
three-story brick structure, at the corner
Of Cherry street and Franklin square. ad-
Joining where the Harper's publishing
house now stands Every house and build
ing along the route was decorated with
flags, silk banners, floral and evergreen