Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-03-01
THE INAUGURAL.
Continued From Page One.)

Washington was indicted into Office
at New York. At the time of notlfica-
ton of his election, he was residing at
his beautiful country home, Mount
Vernon He proceeded to the then
seat of government on horseback, III
coaches and in eight cared barges. His
journey was a triumphal march. NO
such scenes of enthusiasm ever mad
been witnessed in this country as at
tended his progress. The country
people gave him hearty greeting by the
road side; in Philadelphia the citizens
had decorated the streets and build
ings deliberately and he rode on a
splendid milk-white charger beneath
triumphal arches: and in towns and
hamlets farther east his pathway was
streWn with flowers by women ana
children.
Details of the ceremony attendant
upon the administration OF the oath of
office were worked out after his arrival
in New York 1t took place in the old
Federal Building, which then was the
seat of the Congress, and the oath was
administered by Chancellor Livingston.
bv committees of the House and
Senate at his temporary abiding place
and an escort of regular United States
troops accompanied him to the
capitol" He was driven in hand
some coach, and as he had no prede-
cessor, he was alone in the carriage.
When the announcement was made
formally that Washington had taken
the obligation which made him the
first President of the United States,
the multitude waiting outside of the
building gave itself up to an en-
thusiastic demonstration. Speeches
were delivered and patriotic songs
were sung, and that night there was
display of fireworks.
The second inauguration of WASH
ington took place in Philadelphia
While the ceremony was more elapor-
ate, in it's Accomplishments, than the
first had been it remained, as always,
in its essential form, simple ana I'M
pressiVe Washington was conveyed
to the Capitol in a handsome coach
drawn by six white horses His attire
was notably elegant, being OF black
velvet, with diamond-Studded buckles,
silk hose and cooked hat
-Four years later, John Adams was
inaugurated as President, also IN
Philadelphia. Apprehension had been
expressed that the young government
would be unable to withstand the
strain of a change of Presidents; but
the result was a superb vindication OF
the wisdom of the Fathers Washing
ton passed the reins of government TO
IL with the n1frlOtlC
grace and willingness and wisdom that
had characterized his every publice ac-
ton. The real test of the Govern
ments institutions came four years
later when Thomas Jefferson became
President. He was not elected by the
people, but by the House of Represen-
tatves. The election had resulted in
a tie and the House of Representatives
exercised it's Constitutional prerogative
of choosing the President. The con-
test in the House was very bitter; but
again the Nation withstood the strain
magnificently.
Tho sage of Monticello as Jeffer-
son was affectionately termed.
was the first President to be
inaugurated in Washington, the
seat of government again hav-
ing been changed. Accompanied by
only a few friends, he rode on horse
back from his home to Washington He
was Joined by a small detachment of
ca valry which escorted him into the
city. He went unaccompanied in his
carriage, to the Capitol, not because
he had no predecessor, but because
President Adams, embitered by the re-
suit of the action of the House, left
the city early in the day, declining to
await the new President. The inaug-
ural ceremony took place in the Senate
Chamber. the oath of office being adj
ministered by Chief Justice Marshall.
At its conclusion, the new President
proceeded to the white House. Accord
ing to contemporaneous accounts "a
vast concourse' of about thousand
people stood in the gardens. fields and
strips of woodland along Pennsylvania
Avenue and gave Jefferson enthusiastic
greeting AS Washington was nearly
inaccessible in those days. celebrations
OF the Inauguration were held in many
cities ard towns throughout the coun-
try.
1t is reported that a thrOng of ten
thousand people assembled on the east
front of the Capitol to witness the in
auguration of President Madison. An
immense crowd that was to Washing
ton in those days. Regular troops and
militia formed the nucleus of a parade,
which was the first real inaugural pro-