The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1900-09-13

United States dates back to 1ISS. After
the ratification of the Constitution by the
several States the Congress of the old
Confederation fixed upon the first Wadnes-
day in January, 1883. fOr the choice of
electors the first Wednesday in February
for the voting 10y the Electors. and the
first Wednesday in March for the inaugu-
ration of the President. The latter day
fell on the 4th in that year, and the 18th
amendment TO the Constitution settled
upon this as the legal date.
George Washington should have been
inausurated March /, 1889. but SO back
ward were some OF the States in getting
their representatives on the ground that
II was ApiH q before quoi I'm OF botn
Houses arrived.
When the votes for President and Vice
President were counted it was found that
Washington had received the largest num-
her of votes and John Adams the next
largest. The former therefore stood in
the position for President, the latter in
that of NiceFlesident. 1t in this
way originally that the TWO chief officers
of the United States We're chosen.
Washington received the news that he
had been chosen President on April IA.
Charles Thompson. esq. Secretary of
Congress, was APP Guted 10 carry to Gen.
Washington the official information of his
election 10 the Office If President of the
United States OF America. The official
announcement was signed by John Lang
don, President pro trlEruIc ri She Senate
of the United States. The following is
WasBinston's letter of acceptance:
'To the Hon. John Langdan, President
pro temrOre of the Senate Of the
United States.
'';Sir: have the honor TO receive your
official communication 10y the hand of Mr..
Secretary Thompson about l O'Clock this
day. Having concluded to obey the i'm
portart and fatteIing cail of my country.
and having been impressed with an idea
of the exrediepcy of nay being with Con
gress at as early a period as possible. |
propose to commence my journey on
Thursday morning. which viii be the day
after tomorrow.
Il have the honor to be, with senti-
ments Of esteem, sir. your most 0bedient
servant.
GEO. WASHINGTON
Including conventions and nominations
and letters of acceptance, thai keep the
public on the qui vive for months. the old
method seems very much simplifed.
While il WAS rot in the order of things
for the President to lay down his policy
In a Icing letter of acceptance, what he did
say took less than hundred words. yet
1t is rot to he supposed that he had not
carefully weighed the high responsibility
devolTing upon him of steering the new
ship Of state. and that his plans We're well
thought out
Washington left the quiet and peace of
his home two days after. In his diary he
has recorded '-thrfs, 10 O'clock bad.
adieu to Mount Vernon. TO private life
and TO domestic felicity. and with d mind
oppressed with more anxious and painful
sensations that | have words TO EXPRESS
set out for New York with the best lis
position to render service TO my country
in iRa Stc l,,r- -5-b lnuc h,,r,
Of answering its expectations"
His journey TO New York WAS one con
tinued ovation. The roads were lined with
people, who had come miles to see him
as he passed. His advance was one con
tinued triumph. Dcputations from cities
as he approached were sent out to meet
him. There was hardly any cessation
from the ringing of bells and discharge
of cannon.
He babe his mother goodbye nj Fredar
fcksbUrg, and MS the word gees il is said
that he borrowed S3GOG to defray the ex
penses of his tIip Eor1hwagd.
Washington left Mount Vernon in {
carriage, accompanied by Mr.. Thompson
and Col. Humrhres. 1Aey were soor
met by a deprltation Of friends from Alsz
andria. When he party arrived in that
city they proceeded 10 Wise's Tavern
where great preparations had been mad,
and a wonderful dinner prepared in hi
honor.
The Mayor, in addressing the President
elect. said. in closing: GO and make
grateful! people happy.
Washington WIS greatly overcome b,
these Gttestati"-s nf friendship and con
fidence and with difficulty could he con,
maHd his emotions to make reply.
When he left FOR Georgetown the mex
morning he had in the long procession tina
followed men and bcrs. women and chill
dren, which some of the chIoniclers Of tn
day said was greater than any triumph
Rome ever behold"
From Georgetown. where the Alexan
drians handed him over, many Of the res
idents Of Georgetown escorted him to Bal
timOre.
In Baltimore he WAS met by a cayalcad
of citizens and admirers ard was con
Quoted to Grants Tavern. where Il sup
per had beer provided 10y prominent citi
zeEs. The General retired at 10 O'Clock
and before the Sun rose he was mp, nm
breakfasted d, $50, aud soon after, ami
the cheers CT fhe people and the boon
of artillery. Washington was on his wa
10 Wilmington.
II seems it was the iRtention OF the cs
cort to 20 with HIM all the way 10 WI
mington. but when the escort had bee
on the road until seven miles were be
tween them BDd Baltimore the Genera
insisted that they should return, 20 whic
they reluctantly complied.
Nhen tGey approached Wilmington ar
other large delegation was awaiting hi
arrival, and after n noss hcspitable Ell
teitainmert he was conducted .y many q
Deaware's nobiemen TO the Pennsylvani
line.
Philadelphia had been making prepare
tons on a magnificent scale to receive til
man honored above all men. lie arrive
In Chester ST an early hour in the morn
Ing, where he had breakfast. He ordere
HIS carriage To the rear, and when tn
journey was again taken up Gen. Wnsi
iEgtOn WIS mounted Oh a fine whit
charger.
Gen. Arthur st. Clair was at the hea
OF the lire Of noted men who who cam
out of Philadelphia TO do honor TO the
hero who had led them in the great mil
tary achievements thar bad wrought (,
them a free country aud who was nbo;
entering as leader the civic economics {
country destined to stand second TO nor
among the Nations of the earth
No crowd had ever assembled equal
the one that greeted Washington. II
umphal arches vaIilfed the streets. hous
were decorated with flags and bright &C
org, emblems. notices. welcomes ever
where. Church bells were rung the pc
pie cheered-everybndy but Washingtt
was wild with enthusiasm. EyerythiI
that could be vas crowded into one d.
and night. Another big banquet WI
served at the old City Tavern, at Secoi
ard Chestnut streets. II seems 4 bai