The Savannah morning news., 1901-05-25
FIRST PRESIDENTIAL TOUR.
Washington JOurneyed to New Eng
land In Coach and Four.

Washington JOurncyed to New Eng
land In Coach and Four.
From the Pittsburg Dispatch.
A leading journal of wide influence and
circulation asserts that James Monroe
was the first President to make a tour
through the country. This is a historical
inaccuracy. President Washington set
the precedent, and he had been less than
a year in office when he left the seat of
government. then at New York, and
started on his journey. Immediately after
the close of the first session of the First
Congress in the autumn of 1889 the
Father of his Country felt that he needed
brief period of rest, and decided TO
make a trip to New England. His per-
sonal convenience and comfort were not,
however, the sole objects he had In view.
Shortly after his Inauguration he con-
ceived the idea of visiting during his
term all portions of the Union, not for
his own glorification, but In order that
the people should be thoroughly Impress
ed with the fact that they had at last
central Government in which were
vested great deposits of power, specially
withheld from the States respectively
and affecting the welfare of all. The
new Government 1t must be remembered,
was then on trial.
The First Trip Experimental.
1t was an experiment, the result of
which could not be foreseen. Perhaps no
public man In the young Nation was
wholly satisfied with the Constitution
which had called the Union into exist
ence. In many of the States II had re-
quired hard work on the part of its
friends to procure the ratification Of the
great instrument, and most Of them ac-
companied the act with a strong demand
for certain specified amendments. To
strengthen the bonds of union was the
great patriotic purpose OF Washington.
Henry Cabot Lodge, In his life of wash
ington presents this first memora BILE
Presidential tour in the following strong
light: 1.-THE personal appearance of the
President representing the whole people.
would serve TO bring home to the public
mind the existence and reality of a CEN
trail government, which to many, II not
to most persons in the outlying States.
seemed shadowy and distant. But Gem
eral Washington was neither shadowy
nor distant to anyone. Every man,
woman and child had heard OF and loved
the leader OF the Revolution. To his
countrymen everywhere his name meant
political freedom and victory in battle;
and when he came among them as the
head OF a new Government, that Gov
eminent took on It some measure the
character Of It's chief. His Journey was
well-calculated appeal, not for himself.
but for his cause, to the warm human In
terest which man readily .excites. but
which only gathers slowly around con-
stitutions and form Of government"
Royal welcome Everywhere.
Washington was everywhere welcomed
with the greatest enthusiasm The people
turned out in what we're then considered
great multitudes to greet him. Once
again the old Continental veterans fell
into the ranks for last review by their
/ great commander, who had led them TO
victory and created a Nation. All man
ner OF associations and societies show
cred upon him addresses breathing the
! sincerest sentiments Of gratitude admi-
ration and love for himself, and. what
was far more gratifying to Washington.
professions OF devotion to the new Gov
| eminent and confidence in his administra-
ton OF its affairs at was" again to
ouote Mr.. Lodge, 1.-THE FIRST promise of
the loyal support which New England
gave TO the President, as she had al
! ready given to the General" lnitelli-
Rence Travelled slowly in those distant
days Of the stage coach and swift post
riders Of 30 or 40 mixes a day, but at last
the news OF New England's hearty well
come percolated through all the sister
States and added buttress the more 10
the great edihce OF the Union. When the
President arrived In Boston the rich,
/ pompous John Hancock, he OF the famous
/ signature raised as Governor OF the
| Commonwealth question OF etiquette
which. as we read IL to-day II exquis-
| itely ludicrous, but was then full OF
| grave political significance.
Pompous Hancock Had n Yield.
! Massachusetts he held was sovereign
State, and he, as the Official embodi-
ment OF that sovereignty, awaited Ia