Bridgeton pioneer. (Bridgeton, N.J.) 1884-1919, 1889-03-28
17S9---1S89.
THE GREAT NEW YORK DEM
ONSTRATEON.
The April Centennial Celebration
of WasliingtOn's Inaugu-
ration.


large number of people, old as well as
young, who do not fully apprehend
the momentous character of this i'm
portant event in the history of this
Republic. Without entering into the
minute details of the first Inauguration
of Washington as President, and what
Immediately preceded and followed,
all of which is given in Irving's incom-
parable Life of Washington" it is at
present important for all to know and
appreciate the fact that the Centen-
nial display in New York City, on
April Both, will be most grand and i'm
posing. The military parade alone, it
is estimated, will be SO great that more
than half a day will be occupied by
the troops passing a given point in
heavy marching columns. President
Harrison will stand upon the identical
marble slab upon which the immortal
Washington stood when he took the
oath of office one hundred years ago,
and the same precious Bible will be
used. The Inauguration Ball will be
the largest and most magnificent affair
of the kind ever held-the preparations
for the same being immense. Doubt
less. very many of our citizens from
1.-THE wilds of South Jersey" will par
ticipate in this Centennial, which oc-
ours at so pleasant time of year. A
succinct account of the first Inaugural
ton of General Washington in 1889,
may be instructive to some and arouse
additional interest in matter of such
unusual significance,
Washington had modestly requested
a quiet entry into the city of New
York, but at Elizabethtown Point a
numerous concourse met him, and a
SPLENDID barge, manned by thirteen
pilots uniformed in white, awaited his
embarkation. Other barges followed,
and others still with flying banners.
and through the Kills and up the
broad and beautiful bay swept the
grand nautical procession. Music and
song and booming cannon hailed the
approaching chief. Colors flew from
every ship, save the Galveston but
suddenly, as the Generals barge came
abreast, her yards, too, were manned,
flags and signals streaned from every
peak, and thirteen guns thundered
salute.
Thursday, the 30th day of April, was
appointed for the solemn ceremony of
the Inauguration. At 8 in the morn
ing, pious souls in all the churches OF
the city fervently invoked Heavens
blessing upon the new President. At
noon the troops of the city paraded,
and at 12 O'Clock Washington left his
residence in coach of state, accom-
panied by his Secretary and his Aide
de-Camp, preceded by the troops and
by the committees and heads of depart
ments in carriages, and followed by
the foreign Ministers and long train
of citizens, Before reaching the half
where the Senate and House of Rep
resentatives were assembled, Washing
ton alighted from his carriage and
passed camly between the lines of
soldiery into the Senate Chamber,
where john Adams, the recently in.
augurated Vice President, advanced
and conducted him to the chair of
State. For an instant solemn silence
reigned; then Adams rose and said that
all things were in readiness for the
ceremony. In the centre of a lofty,
open balcony, in front of the Senate
Chamber, stood a crimson-covered
table. On this was placed a cushion
of crimsod velvet, and ON the cushion
lay Bible magniflcently bound. Forth
upon this balcony stepped, the cyno
sure of all eyes, the first President of
the United States. the foremost patriot
of his age. A joyous and universal
acclamation rent the air as Washington
advanced. Laying his hand upon his
heart, he bowed thrice to the assembled
multitude, and then retired to an arm
chair near the table. He was plainly
attired, in a full suit of dark brown
with a steel-hilted sword, stockings
of white silk, and shoe buckles of sill
ver His hair was powdered, and
worn in the quaint fashion of the day.
For little space perfect stiffness
reigned again. Then Washington rose
and advanced once more.
Standing in silence upon the balcony,
Vice-P President Adams upon his right,
Chancellor Livingston upon his left,
and Sherman. Hamilton, and Knox in
the rear, Washington reverently laid
his hand upon the open Bible, and the
Chancellor slowly read the oath.
When it was finished the President
solemnly replied, II swear-so help