The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1897-03-27
For the Democratic Advocate,
BY CHARLES L. sHiPLEy.

For the Democratic Advocate,
BY CHARLES l. sHlpLEY.
Alter the close Of the war for independence it was
found that the Continental Congress, under the
articles of the old Confederation, was powerless to
carry on the Government. 1t was totally made
auate to the needs and Of the country in its
new condition Among the great and leading
statesmen OF that period the feeling was prevalent
that "dissolution of the Union would be the signal
for standing armies in the several States, burden
some and perpetual taxes, clashing systems OF
foreign politics. and an appeal to the sword in
every petty squabble." It was felt that there was
a pressing need of more centralized power Dy
which the States could be brought into closer union
and the General Government could act more enicl-
emily for the general good
For time everything was at a stand until Mary
land took the first step towards the formation OF
better system of rules A proposition was made by
the General Assembly to the Legislature of Viz
,inia for the appointment of Commissioners from
each state to consider the condition of public az
fairs. The result of this proposal was meeting OF
delegates frofn Virginia, Pennsylvania, Delaware,
New Jersey and New York, in Annapolis, in Sep
tesnber 1885, but less than half the States being
represented the delegates-among whom were
Alexander Hamilton and James Madison-merely
issued an address, recommending all the States 10
send delegates to Convention to meet IN Phila-
delphia on the second Monday in May 1851 This
recommendation was approved by the Continental
Congress. and delegates from every State except
Rbode island assembled at the State House in
philadelphia in May, l7s7. George Washington was
elected President, and the members generally were
men of distinguished ability and patriotism This
hsdv remained in session with closed doors over
three months, or until September, 1887, when that
glorious Constitution which was the origin of our
prosperity and is still our pride as nation, was
given 10 the American people
1t had been provided that the new Constitution
should 20 into effect when nine States had atihea
il. That period having arrived, Congress fixed the
first wednesday in January, 1882 for the choice oil
Presidential Electors, and the first "Wednesday In
March for the date when the new Government
should go into power.
on March 4, 1889, the Continental Congress ceased
To exist but the space of several weeks elapsed be-
fore either House of the new Congress was organ
lied. on April the organization of the TWO
bonses was complete. The electoral vote was
counted Washington receiving 60 votes OF the Eiec
tors Of ten States voting Three States, New YORK,
North Carolina and Rhode Island, did not vote the
first haying failed to pass an election law, ana
the latter two not having as yet adopted the Con-
stituton.
wAsHINGToN's INAUGURATION
On Aprl q John Adams who had been elected
Vice President took his seat in the chair OF the
senate. The s0th of April was fixed for the inangu
ration of Washington President of the young re-
public, then taking her place among the nations of
the world. The ceremonies attending the inaugu-
OF the first President of the United States were
quite different to those attendant on the ceremony
fl,otf frao
the Federal capital Long before the hour fixed for
the ceremony the city filed with an immense
coneourse of people; every tavern and boarding
house was crowded. and even the private residences
were filled with guests and dodgers Many people
were compelled to sleep in tents upon the com
mons Ate O'Clock in the morning the day was
ushered in by salute, The weather was mild and
beautiful Nature had appeared to have donned
her sweetest dress for the occasion.
At noon the procession that was to conduct the
President elect TO the Federal Hall assembled OPP
posite the house in Cherry street where Washington
had taken up his residence week before There
was troop of horse, several companies OF grena-
diers, a company of Highlanders in kits all the
chief municipal officers the congressional commit
tees and the Cabinet multitudes of the citizens
bringing up the rear Washington thus es-
corted to the Federal Hall on Wall street, at the
head of Broad where the ceremonies were striking
Iv dignifed Washington was met at the door of
the senate chamber by the Vice President who
said:
.,sir the Senate and the House of Representatives
of the United States ready to attend you to take
the oath required by the Constitution, which will
be administered to YOU by the Chancellor of the
State of New York"
washington's reply made with his accustomed
dignity, was: q am ready to proceed.
The Vice President led the way to the outside
gallery. the President elect following, with as many
Of the high officials as could find room OF the
group, perhaps the most striking figure was Cham
celor Livingston, arrayed in full suit of black.
Secretary Otis carried the Bible on crimson
cushion. Near by stood Gems Knox and st. Clair,
Roger sherman, Alexander Hamilton and other
noted persons of Revolutionary fame.
A deep silence prevailed as the oath was repeated
by the Chancellor with great deliberation and
solemn emphasis. Washington bowed his head as
the Bible was presented kissed it, and reverently
exclaimed, II swear, so help me God
The Chancellor declared, ut is done" and turn
ing to the surging multitude exclaimed, "Long live
George Washington. President of the United States
A mighty shout went up in response to his words
flag was raised upon the cupola of the hall and
salute of artillery fired.
HIS COSTUME
Washngtoas dress on the day of this his first in
auguration consisted of dark brown broadcloth,
long white stockings, silver shoebuckles upon his
shoes steel-hiited dress sword his hair powdered
according to the style then in vogue and gathered
in bag.
In March, 1898, Washington was again inaugural
ed for his second term as President On this oc-
casion he was dressed as Gilbert Stuart has painted
him-rich black velvet, diamond knee-buckles,
square silver buckles on his Japanned shoes, black
silk stockings his shirt rued at breast and wrists
a light dress sword, hair powdered and tied with
BLACK ribbon The oath upon this occasion was
also administered by Chancellor Livingston. The
brief inaugural address on this occasion was pro-
nounced in the Senate chamber
On February 8, 1877, John Adams, acting as Vice
President under Washington, counted the votes
that made him President. He received II votes as
against 60 for Thomas Jefferson, 80 for Thomas
Pmckney The smaller numbers were Aaron
Burr, 80; Samuel Adams, l5 Oliver Ellsworth, II;
George Clinton, 7; John Jones Iredel 3. The inau-
gupaton of Adams took place at noon, March L. in
the Hall of Representatives. In front of the Speak
er's chair were seated Chief Justice Ellsworth and
Justices Cushing, Wilson and Iredell. There rose
u deafening cheer as Washington and Adams en-
tered the room arm in arm. The former made
brief valedictory address, the scene attending its
delivery being described as sngularly impressive
At its conclusion Adams rose, took the oath of of
fiee and delivered his inaugural
No special features attended the Inauguration of
Thomas jefferson, on March A. 1901. 1t was the in
tenton that he should ride in the usual state (car
riage and four to the Capitol-Washington City
now being the seat of acknowledgement by
the marshal and some civic societies but the car
rage having failed to arrive the President elect
rode on horseback Vice President Aaron Burr
who had been sworn in earlier in the day, vacated
the chair as Jefferson entered the Senate Chamber
and took the one to the left ChiefJustce John Mar
shall occupying the chair 70 the right After the
oath had been administered, Jefferson delivered
his inaugural address and the assembage dispersed
without further ceremony.
There was but little difference in the programme
of Jeferson's second inaugural in March, 1905.
Thoroughly democratic in its simplicity was the
Inauguration of James Madison March 4, 1902 He
wore plain suit of black clothes of American
manufacture and went through the ceremony with
solemn dignity, observing the same foImaities and
and lack of display on his second Inauguration that
characterized his first. His escort to and from the
Capitol was the Washington militia
JAMES MONROE.
The assemblage that on March A, 1917, witnessed |
the Inauguration of James Monroe was much larger
than its predecessor though the actual ceremonies
were the same as on former occasions. Immense
crowds came from Virginia and the border States of