The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1889-03-16
The First Inauguration.

- IQo F1rSC inauguration.
On June 81, 17SS, New Hampshire
ratified the Federal Constitution, be-
ing the ninth State TO do so, and on
the I'd of July, her formal nOtifi-
cation of the fact was read in the
Confederate Congress. By the
terms of the Constitution, the ratifi-
cation of nine States made it opera
tive; therefore the Congress, after
long debate, on the 18th of Septem-
Der,
ReSoICed, "rHhat the first Wednes-
day in January next be the day for
appointing electors for the several
States which before that date shall
have ratified the constitution that
the first Wednesday in February
next he the day for the electors to
assemble in the respective States to
vote for President, and that the first
Wednesday in March next he the
time, and the present seat of Con
gress the place, for commencing oper-
atoms under the constitution"
Only the first part of this was car
ried out on the dates designated.
George Washington received every
electoral vote for President, and as
far us can be known. every individ.
ual vote in the United States. But
there was no such unanimity in the
vote for Vice President, John Ad-
ans receiving little more than a ma
| jority of the electoral votes. Owing
to the badness of the roads, and to
what now seems to be criminal neg
lect, the members of the first house
did not assemble in sufficient num-
berS to form a quorum until April,
1889, and on that day the votes of the
electors were opened and counted.
Official information was Immediately
communicated to Washington and
Adams, and preparations made for
an impressive Inauguration. On the
14th of April, Charles Thompson,
secretary of the late Congress, con-
veyed official notice ITO Washington,
and he set out at once, his journey
being continued triumphaI process
sion.
AS they drew near the city of
New York, it was seen that all the
vessels and boats were highly decor
ated and crowded with many specta-
tors, and his progress was accom-.
panied by the music of many bands,
the roar of cannon and loud accla.
nations of the people.
Landing at Murray's wharf, he
was received by the governor, cor
poration of the city, clergy. foreign
ministers and the military, and
escorted to his residence. On the
Both of April, services were held in
all the churches of the city at 8
O'Clock in the morning, and soon
after noon the committees of Con-
grcsS and the heads of departments
waited on Washington, and grand
procession was formed, the military
in advance, the committees next,
then the President in a coach, accom-
panied by his aid de-camp, Col.
Humphreys, and his private secre-
tary, Tobias Lear. After them were
various civil officers and citizens.
Arriving at Federal Hall, they were
conducted by Marshall Webb to the
Senate chamber, at the door of which
the President was formally received
by Vice President Adams, previous
ly inaugurated, and conducted to his
seat. Both houses of Congress occu-
pied the Senate chamber before him.
Then the Vice President, addressing
Washington, said:
'Sir. the Senate and House of Rep
resentatiyes of the United States are
ready to attend you to take the oath
required by the Constitution, which
! will he administered by the Chancel.
lor of the State of New York"
, Washington responded: II am
ready to proceed" Then they pas
sed to the open porch at the south
end of the hail, where Chancellor
Livingston pronounced the oath, and
Washington, holding up his right
hand in clear, strong voice said:
II, George Washington. do soem.
: ly swear that L will faithfully exc
cute the Office of President of the
United States. and will, to the best
of my ability, preserve, and protect
the Constitution of the United
States"
Then kissing the book which Mar
shall Webb held mp to him he added
$50 help me God" The Chancellor
then. turning 10 the people. exclaim.
ed in loud voice. Long live George
Washington, President of the United
! States !" A roar of applause went
up from the 10000 or 10000 people
e present, which was followed imn,e-
diately by shouts in all the adjacent
sections and the thunder of cannon.
Washington bowed to the assembled