Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1889-04-29
Tho Inaugural ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Tho Inaugural Washington
tf, ut Chester.
The centennial celebration of Washing
toms Inauguration as the d. st President
Of the United States, to be celebrated in
New York city on Tuesday, where he
took the oath Of office hundred years
ago, will be the. grandest display ever
witnessed in this country. Chester was
honored with the presence OF the great
General on the occasion of his journey
from Mt. Vernon to New York.
On the 18th of April, 1889, the General
was met at the frontier OF Pennsylvania,
carly In the morning, by Governor Mifil n
and Judge Peters, at the head of two
troops cavalry and cavalcade of citizens,
the latter mainly from Chester. The
President left his carriage and, mounting
a superb white horse, cent down to Ii m
from Darby, he took position In the line
of procession, with Secretary Thomson
on one side and Colonel Humphreys on
| thu other.
When the Presidential party reached
Chester, they breakfasted at the Wash
ington House Chen owned by VIM.
| Kerlin), on Market street. They rested.
perhaps, couple OF hours, during
which time the President held reception
and the people Of the then small borough
| turned out EN- masse.
From Martins History of Chester we
take the following address, made by DIR.
| William Martin, grandfather of the his
torlan, 10 the President on that occasion:
ITO his Excelleney George Washing
ton, Esq, President Of the United Stateg,
Sir:-Ihe inhabitants of the town of
Chester, impress ed with the livellest sell
timents for your Excellency's character,
congratulate themselves upon this o,
portunity being afforded them TO pay
their respects to, and to assure you of the
unieigned joy that swells their bosoms,
while they reflect that the united voices
of millions have again called you from
the bosom OF domestic retirement to be
once more the public guardian of the
liberty, happiness and prosperity of
United America. From this event they
entertain the most pleasing expectations
OF the future greatness OF the Western
world; indeed they cannot but observe 10
your Excellency that the torpid re-
sources of our country already discover
signs of life and notion from the adop-
ton of the Federal Constitution. Ac-
cept, Sir, our fervent wishes for your well
fare-may you be happy; may life spent
in usefulness be crowned with q serene
old age; and may your future reward be a
habitatlon not built with hands, eternal
in the Heavens"
The President replied briefly, thanking
the people for the generous greeting. Tue
| journey was continued along the Phila-
delpbia pike road Chen the Kings road)
to Philadelphia, where the oyations ten
dered him were very great.
| AT Gray's Ferry, on the Schuylkill, the
escort was Joined by an immense number
of citizens. On each side Of the river a
triumphal arch, covered with laurel
branches, had been erected. They were
approached by avenues of eyergreens. As
w ashington passed under the arch on the
Philadelphia side of the stream, little
Angelica Peale, daughter of the eminent
artist, Charles Wilson Peale, q child of
rare beauty, who was concealed among
the foliage, let down beautifully orna-
mented civic crown of / .urel which rested
on the head OF the patriot. This pleasing
| incident caused tumultuous shout from
the multitude. The procession movedon
into the city, Increasing in volume every
moment At least twenty thousand peo-
pie liued the way from the S;huylKiil to
the city, and filed the air with shouts
aud acclamations, crying "Long live
George Washington Long live the
Father Of his couutry!"
| AiNm NOhhb1 W SounI1 w
was escorted through New jersey to New
York. 1t was week after Washington's
arrival at New York when his Inaugural
ton as the first President of the United
States occurred.
The oath OF office was administered to
the President by Hon. Robert L. Living
STOP, Chancellor Of New York State. On
a page of the Bible Washington laid his
hand when the Chancellor, in slow and
distinct words pronounced the oath. The
Bible was raised, the President bowed
and kissed 1t; and as with closed eyes he
recovered his erect position, he said with
great fervor, 81 swear, SO help me God"
at is DONE" said the Chancellor, aud
turning toward the m altitude, he cried
with loud voice, Long live George
Washington, President of the United
Statesl"