The Madisonian. (Richmond, Ky.) 1913-1914, 1913-02-19

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VsH1zz=.....s1 nor was there
a District of
Columbia. The capital was a NOV
able affair, good deal like the head
quarters OF a travelling photographer.
Evidently the statesmen in power
considered 1t wise to pass the seat of
government from one city to another,
so that there would be no jealousy.
the result being that New York, Phil
adelphia, York, Pa, Baltimore and
Annapolis were at various times the
capital of the United States.
= But, as has been stated, the first
Inauguration took place at New York,
and Washington had to journey all
the way from Mt. Vernon to take part
in the ceremony In those days such
journey was not matter of small
moment, nor was it to be accomplish
ed in night while the traveller lay
in Pullman berth. But if Washing
tons trip was long one it was also
attended by many incidents that must
have been eminently pleasing to the
first president. The following account
of 1t, taken from an old record. will
convey an idea OF the manner in
which 1t was accomplished:
'Washington's journey was one
continuous triumphal procession.
Cities, towns and villages turned out
en- masse. The road for many miles
was lined with people from the ada
cent country, manifesting their joy
by shouts, by laughter and by tears.
Mothers who had carried their babies
many miles held them up so that they
might In after years say they had
seen George Washington. The sick
and the aged were carried to the
road along which the general passed
and given favorable places from
which they could see him as he rode
along.
Gums were fired and triumphal
arches were erected in the towns.
while flags and bunting were support
ed by ropes stretched from tree TO
tree across the roadsswhieh he trav-
eled. At Gray's Ferry, across the
Schuylkill, Washington rode through,
a long avenue of laureis, that formed
q continuous arch above him. AS he
was about to emerge from the laurel
covered avenue crown of laureis
was ingeniousiy lowered upon his
head, greatly to his surprise and en-
barrassment, but amid the deafening
shouts of the multitude"
Early on the morning OF April %
the booming of cannon and the ring
ing of bells announced that Washing
ton had arrived at Elizabethport, ~
j. Here he was met by a committee
Of congress sent to escort him to
New York. The trip from the New
Jersey side was made in handsome
~ decorated barge which somewhat
resembled the state barges in which
the kings and queens of England
were accustomed to show themselves
on the Thames. AS this barge moved
slowly up the bay other barges. and
vessels of various types fell into its
wake, and splendid procession was
| formed.
On reaching Manhattan Island the
president-elect was met at the ferry
stairs by Gov. George Clinton of New
York. Such e crowd as greeted Wash
ington when he stepped ashore had
never before assembled on American
soil. CaAnon doomed, bands played
and the people cheered. So densely
were the enthusiastic citizens packed
| together that great difficulty was ex-
perienced in forming for the process
sion to Franklin Square, where Wash
| ington was to be domiciled during his
stay in the city. Every house along
| the route was decorated; every win
! dow was filed with people who
shouted and waved flags and handker-
chiefs. Flowers fell in the streets
and upon the head of Washington in
showers, and at the house which he
was to occupy in Franklin Square a
notable gathering of foreign minis
| tiers. distinguished citizens and poll
ticians who were willing to assist him
| in administering the government, ac-
corded him another enthusiastic re-
ception.
On the 29th the committee of the
| two houses of congress reported an
elaborate plan, providing that General
Webb. Colonel Smith, Lieutenant Col
onel Fish, lieutenant Colonel Franks,
Major L'Enfant, Major Bleecker and
Mr.. John r. Livingston serve as aids
and assistants: that chairs be placed
| IN the senate chamber for the presi-
dent and vice-president. the senators
sittine on that side where the vice
presidents chair was placed and the
representatives on the other side,
with the speaker at their head: also