Evening journal., 1889-05-01
Governor Fit. Hugh Lees IsemarIss.


MEN--The Inauguration of G aorge Washington
ms the fl'st president Of the United States is tho
event IN American history we are celebrating
tonight. 1t so happens that am at present
the governor Of the state in which he was
born, lived and is now sleeping his last sleep
50 quietly and calmly that no sound will ever
awake him to glory again. Owing 20 that
circumstance and from no merit Of mine,
feel have been honored by the request 10
make a response 10 the toast Just read
The national crown which binds the brows
of the states is indeed brilliant with the milf
tary and civic deeds Of his splendid career;
for "called by his country 20 the defence Of
her liberties he triumphantly vindicated tho
rights Of humanity, and on the Tillars Of ma
honal independence laid tho foundation Of a
great republic.n
Twice invested with the supreme magis-
tracy by the unanimous voice Of a free peo-
pie, he surpassed in the cabinet the gories Of
the field, and voluntarily resigning sceptre
and sword, retired to the shades Of Mount
Vernon.
Magnanlmous in youth glorious through
life, great IN death-hs highest ambition was
the happiness Of mankind, his nohest victory
the conquest Of himself.
We gaze with patriotic pride upon the
/
as they bear upon their bright broad bosoms
the white winged messengers of commerce,
but how seldom do our thoughts dwell upon
the sources from which these hIeesings flow.
Great problems of human government have
been worked out by the brain Of man, con-
stitutional liberty has been discovered, free
dom has come to dwell in our midst and il
seems now as il the science Of popular gov
ernment would be proved upon a scale to
which the Roman republic was but mere
province, for already the national banner
floats over more square leagues Of land than
did that OF Rome after seven centuries OF
growth; but who thinks often enough of
Washington, Adams, Hamilton, Franklin
Madison and .her distinguished colleagues,
through whose patient intellectual lnbors this
great republic was foundedi
Tonight II is our duty to look back over
the centurys growth, and to reflect upon the
path the republic has been following for IN
hundred years-fro-i the period of President
Washington, To the times Of President Har-
rison-from the Inauguration Of the ruler Of
thirteen states, whose president W as installed
In Office here so many years ago, by parade
Of 500 soldiers, TO this magnificent centennial
celebration of the event by forty-two states,
and procession Of so 900 troops
Upon you star spangled banner each state
is a star, so similar in appearance and right
Of presence there, that no man in this splen-
did audience can 20 10 their beds Of blue and
point out the star that represents Indiana,
from that representing the great empire state
Of New York.
The Federal head in our system Of govern
ment is the sun, the states, the planets; the
drst is regulated by delegated powers; th'
second exercises all rights not given TO the
first, except those specifically prohibited. l
the states break from their orbits and en-
croach upon the national government, disas
ter and ruin follow; If the national govern
ment invndes the reserved rights OF th
states, calamity comes; 20 that observance O
the part Of both Of this Article 10 OF the con
stitution assures the liberties Of the people.
The republic Of today should be the repuh
, lie of the fathers The United States OF 1859
under our present distinguished chief magis
trate win then be the United States OF is4
and l7s9, when the scepter OF power was Il
the hands Of a William Henry Harrison an
, a George Washington.
President Harrison's Speech.
President Harrison was TO have responde,
at the point where Mr. Baino's toast wa
scheduled, but this part Of the programme
was rearranged, and the president remaine
on the list as the last speaker. He did no
rise TO respond to the toast "rhe United
States until a very late hour.
President Harrison was v0cferously ap
plauded when he finally rose. He said
Mr. President and Fellow Citizens-I shoull
be un Just 70 myself, and what is more sori
GUS / should be unjust 70 you, IL did not a
this first and last opportunity express 70 yo
the deep sense Of obligation and thankfulnes
which feel for those many personal an
official courtesies which have been extende
/ 10 me since ] came to take part in this celt
bration. (Applause.D The official represent
, atives OF the stats of New York and Of thI
great city have attended me with the mos
courteous kindness, emitting no attentio
that could make my stay among you pleasan
, and gratifying. From you and at tn
| hands Of those who have thronged th
/ streets OF the city today l have receive
, the most cordial expressions Of good will
, would not, however, have you understan
that these loud acclaims have been in any wa
appropriated as a personal tribute to myself
, have realized that there was that in tn
occasion and in all these interesting incidents
which have made it so profoundly impressiy
[ TO my mind, which was above and great,
/ than any living man [Applause, l hay
realized that that tribute Of cordial intere
! which you have manifested was rendered
I that great office which, by the favor Of
|. greater people, ! now exercise, rather tina
1 TO me. [Applause
The occasion and all Of its incidents will
/ memorable not only in the history of yol
4 own city, but in the history Of our countr
! New York did not succeed in retaining d
: seat Of national government here, though S
|, made liberal provision far the assembling
!. the First congress, in the expectation th
a the congress might find its permanent hor
q here But though you lost that which y
j coveted, think the representatives here
all the states will agree that it was fortuna
"a that the first Inauguration of Washingt'
\ took place in the state and in the city OF Ne
IL York
4 For where in our country could the ce
! tennial Of the event have been so worthi
"a celebrated as herel What seaboard oifer'
~ so magnificent a bay on which 20 display o.
n merchant and naval marinei What ei
IA offered thoroughfares 50 magnificent OF
,r people so great CT so generous as New Aol
~ has poured out today TO celebrate that even
II [ have received at the hands Of the comml
~ tee who have been charged with the deta
=, oparous. exacting and too often unthankfu
=. of this demonstration, evidence OF their CO.
-,o adance in nv physical endurance. llaug
ierl.
ue o,,ot n seemed to me that each Of these spea
VI - had been made acquainted with his then
- hafore Re took his seat at the banquet, al
ne tnat alone was left to make acquaintan
no ,.,i,b NV theme when sat down at the tab
re ,,sfar,,ed to substitute for the official iii