Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-12-12
OUR GREAT LEADER
Eloquent Tribute to the I'M
mortal Washington.
LAST OF THE CENTENNIAL EVENTS.


Commemorstion Of the Transportation -
the First President and Assembly of
the First Congress-Chief Justice Full
Ter Delivers an Grafton Listened TO by
Distinguished Audience Composed of
Representatives from Many Nations
Talking Up Reorganization OF the Ju-
dicisry-OniciaI Notes.
WASHINGTON CITY, Dec. IL Representa-
tives OF the whole civilized world were pres
emit In the hall OF the house yesterday to wit
ness the ceremonies in commemoration Of the
Inauguration OF George Washington as pres
Ident and the assembly OF the first American
Congress The business done in the house
was OF no particular interest, as everybody
was awaiting the hour for the ceremonies to
begin, and the galleries were crowded long
before that time The usual notification was
sent to the senate, and then the assemblage
waited expectantly for that body TO appear,
together with the other distinguished visitors
Owing TO the death Of Mrs Harrison's sister,
Mrs. Scott-Lord, none OF the White House
family was present except the president, but
Mrs. Wsnamaker and daughter, Mrs Hal
ford and daughter, Mrs Blaine and daughter
and many other ladies' were seated in that
part Of the galleries reserved for officials and
their wives, while Mrs Reed, Mrs Carlisle,
and other ladies were observed in the mem
bers' gallery.
A Procession OF Dignitsries.
number Of prominent gentlemen had
tickets TO the floor OF the house, among them
Gen Schofeld, ex-Postmaster General Dick
and others, A little before o'clock p. m.
the doorkeeper announced "the president of
the United States and his cabinet" and i'm
mediately the chief magistrate and Score
tary Blaine, followed by the other members
OF the cabinet except Gen. Noble, were seen
advancing to the seats in front reserved for
them. The chief justice and associates of
the supreme court in their robes, the senate
OF the United States, several department Off
GERS, the diplomatic corps, the pan-Amer-
lean congress Respondent in gold lace and
brilliant uniforms, the marine conference
followed in order, and were seated Behind
all these the members OF the house and about
twenty governors of states took their places,
and everything was ready for the ceremo-
MES to begin.
The Vice President Presides-
Speaker Reed then resigned his gavel to
Vice President Morton, who called the as
sembly TO order and then the Marine band
struck up Hail Columbia" At the end of
the music Chaplain Butler, Of the senate. of
fered prayer and Mr. Morton announced
that Chief Justice Fuller would deliver an
Grafton. The chief justice was escorted TO
the stand by Senator Hiscock and Repre-
sentative Bayne, and after the applause with
which he was received had ceased Mr.. Fuller
began his address
The Chief Justices Address.
The following are extracts from the ad-
dress of the chief justice:
BY The terms of that section OF the act Of
congress, under which We have assembled I'm
further commemoration % the historic event
OF the Inauguration OF the first president of
the United States, George Washington" the
Oth OF April, A. ID. 1859, was declared ma
tional holiday, and in the noble city where
that event took place its centennial anniver-
sary has been celebrated with a magnihcence
OF speech and song, OF multitudinous assem-
bly,, and OF naval, military and civic display,
accompanied by every manifestation OF deep
lov@ OF country. of profound devotion to its in
stitutions, end of intense appreciation OF the
virtues and services ~ that fliustriou. man
whose assumption OF the ehisf ulagistracy
gave assurance OF the successful settingin mo.
ton OF the new government.
washin gton Stiu Our Guide
Nothing on the occasion OF that celebration
could be more full of announcement and hone
than the testimony so overwhelmingly given
that Washington still remained first In the
hearts OF his countrymen. and that the exam
pie afforded by his career was still cherished
as furnishing that guide OF public conduct
which had kept and would keep the ma ton upon
the path OF glory for itself and of happiness for
its people. Washington had become first In
war, not 80 much BY REASON of victories over
the enemy, though he had won such, or success
In strategy. though that had been his, ~ OF the
triumphs OF . constancy which no reverse no
hardship, no incompetency, no treachery could
shake or overcome
Cause of wsshington's Influence.
And because the people comprehended the
greatness OF their leader, and recognized in him
an entire absence OF personal ambition, an alb
solute obedience to conviction. OF duty an
absolute love Of country Of themselve. and OF
mankind. he had become first Ia the hearts of
his countrymen. Because thus first. he was 10
become first In peace. by bringing 10 the charge
OF the practical working Of the system he had
participated In creating. ON behalf OF the peo-
pie whose Independence he had achieved tho
same serene Judgment, the same sagncity the
same patience, the same sense OF duty the
same far-sighted comprehension OF the end to
be attained that had marked his career from
its beginning. a
Surrounded by DifhcuIties.
There were obvious difficulties surrounding
the first president. The fear OF arbitrary pow
er took particular form in reference TO the
presidential office. which had been fashioned
In view OF the personal government OF George
III, rather than on the type Of monarchy of the
English system, as II was In principle and as II
Is In fact. And this fear INDUCED notwith-
standing the frequency cf elections since no
restriction rs TO re-eligtbility was imposed upon
the incumbent.
The Man for the Hour.
No fear, no jealousy could be entertained of
Indignantly sd ha
ton Of tho bestowAl OF the kingly power New
ertheless. while there could be NO personal Cd
position to the unanimous choice " the people
AMI while his availability at the crisis was one
Of those proyideutial blessings which, ia other
instances. he had so often insisted had been be-
slowed upon the nation, the fact remained that
the situation was full OF trial and danger and
demanded the application Of the highest order
Of craftsmanship.
Keynote os the Century.
The promotion OF human happiness was the
keynote OF the century within which WASH
ington's life was comprised. IL was a century
instinct with the recognition OF the hnman
soul In every human being, and alive with as
pir ations for universal brotherhood. While
the general genius OF the government was
thoroughly permeated with ideas Of freedom
In obedience, yet time was needed TO COM
mend the form in which IL was for the future
TO exert itself
The Speakers Peroration.
AIter reviewing NJ great fsnBtn the ap-
pointments made by Washington to the cab
met and the supreme bench the chief justice
analysed Washingtons farewell address,
showing how he foreshadowed the great
ness Of the nstion-its commercial and politi-
cal prosperity. The civil war was, he said, the
most searching test Of the wisdom and last
ing quality Of our form of government. In
conclusion he said:
And so tie new century may lie entered upon
In the spirit Of optimism, the natural result,
perhaps, Of a self-conhdence which has lost
nothing In substance by experience, though IL
has gained in the moderation of its impetu-
osity. No ship can sail forever over summer
seas. But as amidst the rempests in which our
ship Of state was launched. and In the times
succeeding, 80 in the times to come, with
nXerN exiGennN nananallaiiana Of ilII.t rl..Il.