The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-05-04
THE RED LETTER DAYS
 IN AMERICAN HISTORY

ton, and welcomed and congratulated him. As he landed all the bells in the city rang a welcoming peal, all the can- non saluted him and the multitude in attendance cheered. Arm in arm with Governor Clinton, and followed by the throng they went to the house that nad been selected for the President. On his arrival at his residence he was waited upon by the foreign ministers and nu- merous persons of distinction, ana re ceived their congratulations.
 A week elapsed before the inausura- tion took place. It was the most imposing and important ceremonial that had yet been observed on the western continent, and the day appointed for 1t, Thursday, April 30 was bright. national salute ushered in the morning. Business or every kind was entirely suspended Al 9 o'clock all the bells in the steeples rang and invited the people to gather in solemn religious services to invoke the divine blessings on the new nation and its chosen President. At noon the pro cession to escort General Washingto from his residence to Federal hall watz formed in Cherry street. Colonel Nor gan Lewis acted as marshal The 1oir committee of congress having charge the no tier were Senators Ralph izard South Carolina, Tristan Dalton of Mas sachusetts, Richard Henry Lee of Vi4 ginia and Members Egbert Benson New York Charles Carroll of MarylanA and Ames Fisher of Massachusetts.
 The procession was made up of various regiments the joint committees Of con gress, the heads of departments, the for eign ministers and a long train of distin- euished citizens It marched through Pearl street and Broad street to Federas hall, where congress was assembled. Vice President Adams met Washington at the door, led him to the chair of state and iis trodueed him formally to the august body in whose presence he stood
 After moment or two the vice presi- dent announced that the senate and house were ready to attend while the oath re- ouired by the constitution of the United states was administered by the chancel- Tor of the state of New York.
 Washington gravely replied: T am ready to proceed" and, led by the vice president and accompanied by the sena- tors. the chancellor in his robes and other men of distinction, he passed upon the balcony that overlooked the throng filling Wall and Broad streets.
 Washington was dressed in "a suit of deep brown, of American manufacture, with metal buttons having an eagle in relief stamped upon them, white stocKings low shoes with silver-buckles, his hair
 
 and he wore sword.
 There was large Bible laid on table on the balcony resting on crimson cush- ion This was taken up and held up be- tween Washington and the chancellor by the secretary of the senate Samuel Alyne Otis Washington laid his right hand on the open book, and the chancellor slowly and in clear voice repeated the oath. At it's conclusion Washington said, T swear. and added with a deep fervor noticeable to all. "so help me God" He then stopped over and kissed the sacred volume.
 sIt is done" said Chancellor Living ston. and turning to the throng in the streets. with a wave of his hand, he ut tered the cry, Long live George Wash- ington. President of the United States.
 The response from the people seemed all the more tumultuous from contrast with the silence that had attended upon the administration of the oath The na- tional ensign was immediately run up from the cupola of the Federal hall, and shouts and acclamations mingled with the peallng of church bells and the firing of artillery on the land and water.
 All the company on the balcony then retired to the senate chamber, where Washington read his inaugural address. The President and the two houses of Con- gress, with all their officers, after the reading of the inaugural address, went to church. They walked to St. Paurs chapel, where Bishop Provost, who had been elected chaplain of the senate, read pray CTS suitable for the occasion"
 In the evening there was the great dis play of fireworks and illuminations that had been announced before.