Omaha daily bee., 1889-04-28

chamber. AT the,door Of the chamber, to
which the eyes of the vast throng
which packed the room were directed,
MasAssGn GSn ADAMS i and oo1
Quoted to the chair. On the right
were the vice-president and the senate, and
on Was hington's left the speaker and the
house of represent atives The vice-president
then said:
''Sr, the senate and house of representa-
tives are ready to attend you to take the
oath required by the constitution, which will
be administered by the Chancellor of the
state of New York"
''I am ready to proceed" was the reply
given IN the calm and Dig nlfied manner
which distinguished the hrst president.
Mr.. Adams led the way, to the gallery over
the main entrance to the building. and racing
Broad street. General Washington fol-
lowed, surrounded by as many of the
higher functionaries as could find
room in the confined space of the
balcony. OF the group, perhaps the most
striking figure was Robert r. Livingston, in
full dress of chancelor's robes. Secretary
Otis carried the bible on a crimson cushion,
and stood at General Washington's right,
between him and the chancellor. The bible.
borne by the secretary, was one borrowed
from ST. Johns lodge of Masons near by,
it having been discovered, almost at the last
moment, that there was no copy of the scrip
lures in Federal Hall at the time. IL was
opened at the fiftieth chapter of Genesis.
At the proper moment Chancellor Living
ston raised his hand and said TO Washing
ton: You do solemnly swear that you will
faithfully execute the Office of President of
the United States and will to the best of
your ability, preserve, protect and defend
the Constitution of the United States! ="
These words were repeated by the president,
who then bowed his head and kissed the
open book adding in solemn tone of voice
ana with much emotion, II swear, so help
me God"
1T is DONE" said the chancellor, who i'm
mediately proclaimed, Long live George
Washington.
''PREsIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES"
The president bowed to the vast crowd,
who interspersed with cheer after cheer the
reports of thirteen cannon. The scene is
described by Miss Eliza Quincy, an eye wit
ness: 81 was on the roof of the first
house in Broad street, which belonged to
Captain Prince, the father of one of my
school companions, and so near Washington
that could almost hear him speak The
windows and the roofs of the houses were
crowded, and in the streets the crowd was
so dense that 1t seemed as II one might
literally walk OH the heads of tine people.
The balcony of the i,all was in full view of
this assembled multitude. In the center of
1t was placed table with a rich covering of
red velvet, and upon this, on crimson
w SAS's.o'f '"S e. picip'
This was all the parapharnalia foi the august
scene. All eyes were fixed upon the balcony,
where, at the appointed hour, Washington
entered, accompanied by the chancellor of
the state of New York, who was to admin
ster the oath; by John Adams, vlcepresi-
dent; Governor Clinton and many other dis
tinguished men.
''By the great body OF the people he had
probably never. been seen except as mill
tary hero. The fret in war was now TO De
the FIRST in peace. His entrance on the
balcony was announced by universal shouts
of JOY and welcome. His appearance was
most solemn and dignIfied. Advancing to the
front OF the balcony. he LAID his hand on his
heart, bowed several times and then retired
to seat near the table. The populace ap.
peared TO understand that the scene had
overcome him, and were at once hushed in
profound silence. After few moments
Washington arose and came forward. Chan
cellor Livingston read the oatn, according to
the form prescribed by the constitution, and
Washington repeated it, resting his hand
upon the table. Mr.. Otis. the secretary OF
the senate, then took bible and raised il to
the lips of Washington, who stopped and
kissed the book. AT this moment signal
was given by raising flag on the cupola of
the hall for general discharge of the artil-
lery of the battery. All the bells OF the city
rang out peal Of joy and the assembled
multitude sent forth universal shout. The
president again bowed TO the people, and