The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1889-05-02
The Centennial.

On the 30!h of April the centennial Of
Washlngton's Inauguration as President
of the United States was obsei Yed in most
of the States of the Union. In New
York the demonstration was en- a grand |
scale. The President of the United States,
some of his cabinet officers, judges Of the |
Supreme Court, were present in that city.
En- route to New York, where Washing>
ton was installed in Office. President Har-
rison repeated the trip by water from Eiz-
abethport, New Jersey, to New York.
which Washington had taken. After the
religious services at st. Paui's chu'ch the
President repaired to the Sub Treasury !
building. the scene of Washngton's inau
guration on the 30th of April, l7S9, where
various literary exercises we're deserved,
including an appropriate address by Gen.
Harrison. A magnificent parade followed
and as Light gorgeous pyrotechaic dis
play was arranged. The ceremonies and
observances closed on Wednesday with an
industrial and civic parade.
A century of executive power in the
Republic is story of remarkable events
and phenomenal progress. One hundred
years ago our fathers entered upon an ex-
pertinent in government. with the eyes of
the world critically centered upon the in
ception. and the Judgment. or prejudice
of foreign powers, predicting Il period
of chaos and then the final dissolution of
the compact of union between the thirteen
colonies. The idea of a people assuming to
form and conduct government upon the
theory that they were capat lie Of self gov
eminent. without aprecedent to guide or
an example to inspire, was to crowned heads
the vision of the enthusiast, and the
dream of the empiricist. Yet each year,
through trials and attritions that some
times made,the boldest doubt,the compact
was strengthened, and finally reached that
condition where experiment ceased and
the fruitInns OF d stable, strong ard well
adjusted government was realized. the
wonder of 5he world and blessing to
mankind. The extent and graz deur Of the
Republic as it now IS kLown. vas beyond
the widest conception Of he most ardent
patriotism and the vision of the most far
reaching stat esmanship. A government
of the people, for the people and by the
people. has teen builded up-surpass-
ing in wisdom and power the most sal gu ne
hopes, and inspiring the admiration OF
peoples of all classes and conditions. Even
amid the throes of revolution. and the
carnage of battle, faith in the people.
upon which our political fabric is founded,
was not lost. God rules and the govern
ment will be preserved" went up from
patriot hearts even when States j0Stled
from their spheres and the existence Of
the Unioa seemed to be at an end, The
ship of State plowed the angry pillows.
breasted the terrible storm, and hove safe
ly into harbor. stronger and more enduring
that when it was first launched. The guild
ing hand of Providence is impressed upon
every page of the century's progress, di
rectiDg to the perfection of government
where Religious and Political Freedom
are the corner stones.
While we are lest in wonder in coEtam-
plating the marvellous strides of the Re-
public in century past, the central char
acter of the occasion IS Washington him
self-first in peace. first in war and first
in the hearts of his countrynen. Lam
guage cannot add to the imposing stature,
or magnify the virtues that centred in him.
He stan is out in singular oneness, above
all othe 8. al d commands an intenser no
mage as e,ch succeeding generation stud
les the events and Influences which
{oI
parable form of government.