The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1889-04-25
CELEBRATION OF THE CENTENARY
Ofthe Inauguration ofGeorge Washington
as First President of the United States.
The following letter by the Bishop of
Dn

Ofthe Inauguration of George Washington
as First President of the United States.
The following letter by the Bishop of
Burlington explains itself
REVEREND AND DEAR SIR ON Tues
day, April Both next, the citizens of this
Republic will unite in celebrating the
Centenary of the Inauguration of Wash
| ington, the Father of his country, as
first President of the United States. In
connection with this event. our Presi
dent has issued the following Proclama-
ton, which you are hereby directed to
read from the pulpit on Easter Sunday :
By the President ofte United States Of 4merica
4 Proclamation.
A hundred years have passed since the Govern
ment which our fOrefathers founded was formally
organized. At noon on the Both day of April :,
1859, In the city Of New York and in the presence
of an assemblage of the heroic men whose patri.
otto devotion had led the coonists to victory and
! Independence. George Washington took the oath
of office as chief magistrate or the newborn re-
public. This impressive act was preceded at
o'clock in the morning in all the churches of the
city by prayer for Gods blessing on the Govern
ment and its first President
The centennial Of this Industrious event in our
history has been declared general holiday by
act of Congress to the end that the people Of the
whole country may join in commemorative exer-
cises appropriate to the day.
In order that the joy of the occasion may be as.
sociatei with deep thankfulness in the minds
of the people for all our blessings in the and
a devout duplication to God for their gracious
continuance in the future the representatives of
the religious creeds, both Christian and Hebrew,
| have memoraliZad the Government to designate
| an hour for prayer and thanksgiving on that day,
! Now, therefore, 1, Benjamin Harrison, Presi.
dent of the United States OF America. in response
to the pious and reasonable request do recon-.
mend that on Tuesday, April 30, at the hour of
O'Clock IN the morning, the people of the entire
country repair to their respective places of divine
worship to implore the favor Of God, that the
blessings of liberty, prosperity and peace may
abide with us as a people, and that His hand
may lead us in the paths Of righteousness and
good deeds.
In witness whereof 1 have hereunto set my
hand aud caused the seal of the United States Of
America TO be affixed.
Done in the City of Washington this fourth day
Of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and eighty nine, and of the indie.
pendence of the United States the one hundred
and thirteenth BENJAMIN HARRISON,
By the President,
JAMES G, BLAINE, Secretary OF State.
After the words of Benjamin Harrison,
now President of the United States. we
think it quite appropriate to quote here
the well-known words of George Wash
ington, the first President of our Repub-
lie : Il hope ever to see America
amongst the foremost nations in exam
Piles of justice and liberality. =
The prospect of National prosperity
now before us is truly animating, and
ought to excite the eXertions of all good
men to establish and secure the happi-
ness of their country in the permanent
duration of its freedom and indepen-
dence. America, under the smiles of
Divine Providence, the protection of a
good government, and the cultivation of
manners, morals and piety, can not fail
of attaining an uncommon degree of
eminence in literature, commerce, agri-
culture, improvements at home and re-
spectability abroad"
The hope of Washington has been re-
allied and America under the smiles Of
Divine Providence, as we see it today, !
has obtained really uncommon degree |
of emlnence and responsibility amongst |
the nations of the earth. You. our be-
loved children of the Diocese of Burling-
ton, need not to be encouraged to join |
your fe low citizens in EXPRESSIONS of
veneration to the memory of Washing
ton, of thanktulness to God, for bless
ings conferred to the country, and in
fervent prayer to our Creator that He
may please continue to America the
smiles of HIS DiUiHe Providence.
AS lOI US PERSONALITY WIN lOI nearly |
half a century have enjoyed protection
and liberty under our Government, and |
have seen it become quiet, comforta-
BILE home for all people OF good will, we
humbly pray that it may ever continue
TO be foremost IN examples Of justice to
nations and indiri iudLS The senti- |
ments of the two documents which have |
been read you remind us OF the words
of Him who said, Peace ledUe you, my
peace ] gre you 4 nelC commandment
/ giUe you, that you lore QUE another as
hare lOred you. Render to Caesar
tcliat belongs to Cesar, and TO God ,chut
belongs 10 God
We subjoin the programme of eXer-
cises for the celebration ofthe forthcom-
ing Centennial on April Both
/. Ringing of our church and school
bells from to 9 a M.
2, High Mass, which may be that of
the Missel pro grdtidrum dctione UOtird
pro re pUblicd ct grdri.
3. The magnificat shall be sung.
1. The Are Mdris stella, hoping
through the intercession of Mary, the
Star of the Sea, whose protection led
Columbus safely to our shores, to obtain
that we may all fear and serve God and
deserve the continuation Of His bene-
dictions upon our country.
LOUIS, Bp. of Burlington, Vt.
! Rurlinu tOn VT April i6 1881