The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1897-03-11
TAKING THE OATH.
How the Ceremony Has Been Per-
formed I'm the Past.

TAKING THE OATH. d,
How the Ceremony Has Been Per-
formed I'm the Past.
In connection with the inauguration
of President Mckinley short resume
OF how .his predecessors took the oath
of office cannot fail to be- of historical
interest:
George Washington, first president Of the
United States, took the oath on April 80,
1859, in the federal building of New York
city. having journeyed from his home IN
Virginia to New York, for that purpose.
The trip was continual ovation, the
hero OF the revolution being escorted from
place to place by enthusiastic and admiring
citizens. g
He was received In New York by joint
congressional committee. which announced
his presence to congress. When Washington
entered the federal building to participate
in the inaugural ceremonies Chancellor Liv-
ingston, Of New York. discovered that a
Bible had not been provided for the occa-
sion. He was relieved from his embar-
rassment by remembering that there was
Bible In the quarters of St. Johns Lodge,
No. 1. of the Order Of Free Masons. of
which he was grand master, which were
in the immediate vicinity of the federal
building. A messenger was dispatched for
the sacred book and a few minutes later
it was in Livingston's hands. ready for
use.
The oath was not administered in the
senate chamber, but on a portico directly
in front Of it and facing on Broad street.
Washington was conducted to this point
and was accompanied by John Adams. his
vice president; Gov. Clinton, of New York,
and the chancellor. Washington listened
with the closest attention while the chan
cellor read the oath, his right hand rest
Ing on the open pages Of the book. which
Mr.. Livingston held. Upon the conclusion
of the reading, Washington kissed the
book. It has been stated that as he bent
to do so he murmured in an intense and
fervid tone:
II swear, so help me God"
The old federal hall Of Philadelphia was
the scene of Washington's second inaugu-
ration. The ceremony was witnessed by a
large gathering of public men. The presi-
dents inaugural address was listened to
with the closest attention. and the man
ner in which the speaker closed was SUBJ
ject Of some favorable comment at the
time. He said:
"Previous to the execution Of any official
act of the president the constitution re-
quires an oath Of office. This oath I am
now about to take, and in your presence.
that If it shall be found during my admin
istration of the government I have in any
instance violated the injunction thereof
may (besides mourning constitutional pun
Ishment) be subjected to the upbraidings
Of all who are now witnesses of the pres
ent solemn ceremony"
When Washington had concluded Vice
President Adams arose and said:
"Sir, one Of the justices of the United
States supreme court is now present and
ready to administer to you the oath re-
quired by the constitution to be taken by
the president of the United States"
Gen. Washington then walked over to-
ward Justice of the Supreme Court WILL
liam Gushing, who read the oath to the
president and heard his words Of assent.
Chief Justice Oliver Ellsworth, OF Con-
necticut was the first chief justice Of the
supreme court of the United States to ad-
minister the oath Of Office to a president.
John Adams succeeded Washington In the
white house, and on March 4, 1887. in the
Federal hall, Philadelphia, he was sworn In
by Chief Justice Ellsworth.
Thomas Jefferson's inauguration occurred
in the city of Washington, to which the cap
ita1 was transferred from Philadelphia.
Chief Justice John b. Marshall. who had
the honor Of swearing In the largest num-
Der of presidents. here entered upon this
duty. In the senate hall of the capitol,
now occupied by the supreme court, Jeffer-
son read his inaugural address, and upon
oath to the new president. This Office was
performed by Marshall upon the occasion
Of the second inauguration Of Jefferson.
which also took place in the senate cham
Der.
At President Madison's first Inaugural
ton the scene of the ceremonies was trans
ferred to the hall of the house of repre-
sentatives and the figure Of Marshall oc-
cupied the same dramatic position it had
| done in the two preceding inaugurations.
The second administration of Madison be-
gan with the administration Of the oath
by Marshall in the representatives hall.
President Monroe took the oath of office,
! administered by Marshall, upon the east
portico of the capitol, and afterward deliv-
from the custom which had obtained up
to that time. When the congressional COM
| mittee called upon him four years later to
await his commands as to his second in
| auguration, he informed it that he would
take the oath of Office in the hall of the
house of representatives at II o'clock on
Monday next" Here the oath was admin
| istered by the chief justice.
In the same place and witnessed by John
Adams, the second president, John Quincy
Adams, took the oath of office on March A.
1926 Chief Justice Marshall presided at the
ceremony. Adams first read his inaugural
address, and when he had concluded re-
of the United States. from which he read
in a low. clear voice the oath of office.
Marshall performed the same Office fol
Jackson at both of the inaugurations In
which "Old Hickory" participated. 1t was
| at Jackson's second Inauguration that
| Chief Justice Marshall, who had admin.
istered the oath Of Office to presidents fol
more than a quarter of a century. per-
formed his last service of this character
Chief Justice Roger B. fancy. of Mary
land, was appointed as the successor OF
Chief Justice Marshall on the supreme
bench, and the duties of the latter in the
| matter of swearing in presidents also de-
yolved upon the new appointee. Van Buren,
was the president upon whom Chief JUS
| tice fancy performed his initial service in
the way Of administering the oath of office
| to presidents. William Henry Harrison was
| also sworn In by Chief Justice fancy, the
| ceremony being performed after the for
| NAL presentation in the senate upon the
out-of-door PLATFORM.
One month later the United States had a
new president. Vice President Tyler was
| Informed of the death of the president, and
that the duties of chief magistrate now
devolved upon him. He thereupon took and
| subscribed the oath of office required by
the constitution before William Cranch
chief Justice of the supreme court Of the Dis.
| trict Of Columbia. Chief Justice Cranct
/ thereupon drew up this notarial certificate