The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-02-24
GEORGE WASH1NGTON'S
INAUGURATION.

The American people III adopting the
4 Constitution looked to one man Ms alone
capable Of putting the government in
operation.
The people felt The necessity Of wise
and prudent nion. mud the members OF
the first Congress- included most OF the
eminent mon of the time.
Sixty-rine votes were given, and every
one bore first the name OF George Wasll-
lngton, lie was thus unanimously elected
President OF the 2Unitcd States or the
second vote cast by the electors, thirty
four were given for John Adams, VINO
thus became Nice-President
At the corner OF Wall and Nassau
streets New York. stands q white marble
building erected for n custom house. but
now used by tile Treasury Department.
Here in 1889 stood Federal Hall, Wllieh
4 had been selected as the capitol me
merchants OF New York city raised u
largo sum of money 10 put the buliolAg
into such a state rs TO fit IL for the re-
ception of Congress-
Mr.. Adams. escorted by . troop of Horse
came on and. having 'hnen sworn INTO
office. took his seat as President OF the
Senate. All now awaited the coming OF
Washington. His journey FROM Mount
Vernon TO New York was like q triu1nphai
procession. Every village, town, ana cltH
through which he passed, showed by
applause, by military hohors, by address
es by triumphal arches, their desire to DO
him honor. As he passed the bridge over
the Schuyll1ll, boy placed above drop
ped n civic crown OF laurel on his head
But the celebration, al Trenton was the
most beautiful OF an, and has never hnen
forgotten. The Indies of that city. which
he had so gallantly rescued from the
Fesslans, had erected over the stream
near the city, a beautiful triumhphl arch.
nt,, t.,,,1
the words. December 26th, 1116. On the
curve of the arch stood out in bold gilt
letters: .Tlle Defender of the Mothers
Will. Be Tho Protector of The Daush-
ters.'
North of this were ranged thirteen
beautiful girls. arrayed in white, with
coronets of flowers, to represent the
thirteen States, Behind stood all the
ladies of the town. AS soon as Washing
Ton arrived beneath the arch, the girls
began to sing a beautiful ode composed
for the occasion, and with the last lines:
"Strew. 20 fair, his way with flowers
Strew your hcro's way with flowers"
they scattered flowers from baskets in
their hands, upon the path where the
Father of his Country was to pass.
Washington was deeply moved by this
beautiful and touching expression of
gratitude.
The Governor of New Jersey escorted
llim to Elizabethtown Point, where n
Committee of Congress was in waiting
10 receive lin.
On the balcony in front of Federal Hail.
Chancellor Livingston administered the
oath of office, which Washington rever-
emily repeated, adding, as he kissed the
Bible, $50 help me God" Then the
Chancellor turning to the people eNclaim-
ed in loud voice. Long live George
Washington. President of the United
Stans'' The shouts that rose from the
dense crowd below was like the roar Of
the ocean, and the thunder Of the artll-
cry hardly rose above it.
The whole country felt a sense of relief.
II the country was to prosper, it would
in the hands Of such a President and
Congress.
Washington then entered the Senate
S Chamber and delivered his inaugural adj
Gress TO the two houses. lie next with
the Nice-President, and the Senator'S and
Representatives, proceeded to st. paul's
Church, where prayers We're offered by
Bishop Provost. Thus was God recognize
ed in The whole cermonN of organizing
the Government under the Constitutions
f. c. JONES,
2I9 Byrnc ST.. Petersburg, Va.