The Columbia evening Missourian., 1921-01-29
WASHINCTON'S
INAUGURATION
WAS COSTLY
Journey of First President-Elect
to New York, Through
the Capital, Took
IA Days.
ENTERED CITY ON HORSE
Ceremony a Contrast TO SIM
plicity of Plans for Hard
ing's Entrance Into
Office.


tions Of Presidents have assumed chang
ed aspects in keeping with the growth and
development Of the United States. They
are always events Of deep interest to the
people, who will journey from one side
Of the country to the other in order to
see an inaugural ceremony.
On March 4 President-elect Harding
will make the journey to the capitol by
automobile. Looking back over a span
Of l32 years, how different this process
sion will be from that Of the first presi-
dent.
George Washington's inaugural parade
was started fourteen days before the in
auguralian actually took place. This
was necessiilIed By the fact that Wash
ingfon lived in Mount Vernon and the
inaugural ceremony took place in New
York. As there we're no railways at this
time. the trip had to be made by carri-
age or on horseback. Washington made
the. journey by both styles of convey
ances. Before starting. however, it is
said that be had to borrow $1,000 10 de-
fray the expenses Of the trip.
Washington left Mount Vernon for
New York on April 10, 1899. A short
time after leaving he was met by a body
Of friends from Alexandria. Va. With
this party he proceeded to that city and
at Wise's Tavern a great dinner was serv-
ed in his honor
In his farewell address 10 the Presi-
dent elect, the mayor of the town said:
60 and make grateful people happy"
Washington was so overcome by his emo
lions that be could scarcely respond to
the fareWclls.
The following day he was accompanied
to Georgetown. Va. by a great crowd
not only Of men and boys, but Of wo-
men and children as well
GIVEN MILITARY RECEPTION
Along the route the company was met
BY a party from Georgetown, who not
content with this, escorted the General
as far as Baltimore. Md. From there be
vert to Philadelphia, where $1,000 had
been raised to pay for a great military
reception given in his honor. AT Chester,
short distance from Philadelphia,
Washingtons carriage was ordered e the
rear, and the rest of the journey was
made on a magnificent white horse.
The crowd that met Washington out
side the gates of Philadelphia was said
by local writers to be greater than had
been seen in the history of the city.
Arches spanned the streets and decora.
lions of figs and evergreens hid the
fronts Of the houses. Boats on the river
were decorated with gay cOlors and pstri-
otic mottos were seen every where.
From Philadelphia TO Elizabeth, N. J.,
Washington was received with great rev.
erence at each town. Flowers were strcwn
in the hero's pathway and great banqueIs
we're held in his honor.
At Elizabeth, Washington boarded a
barge ard the fin-l stage Of the journey
was begun.
Before the barge reached New York
il was met bv hundreds Of men in boats
As the flotilla neared the island now
occupied by the Goddess Of Liberty, a
large slo9p sailed close to the barge and
moved parallel to it, while twenty men
qnd women on board sang an ode of
praise 10 Washington to the tune of God
Save the King
The President-elect was received bv
Governor Clifton and by many of his
old officers, all in full uniform. Wash
ingion, the central figure, in blue coat,
buff waisicoai and breeches, led the
shorl but imposing march to the Frank
lin House, where he established his head
quarters.
INAUCuRATED APRIL 80
April 80, 1879 witnessed the inaugura-
lion Of the first President Of the Repub.
lie. From early dawn crowds poured into
the city. although it is said that the town
had already been filled to its limit. The
ceremonies Of the day were opened by
discharge of artillery at Fort George.
At y O'Clock the President-elect rode |
in a stage coach to Federal Hall. He
was received by a joint congressional
committee, which announced his coming
10 Congress. Just at this time ChanceI-
lor Livingston discovered that there was
no Bible in the Federal Building. Al
Bible was found in the rooms Of the St. |
Johns lodge Of Masons which was near
by and a Bible was procured without
difficulty
When Chancellor Livingston approach
ed Washington. who was seited near the |
front Of the balcony, the general arose
and paid the cIosest attention while the
oath was read. The open Bible was then |
lifted up and Washington kissed il.
Chancellor Livingston then cried. Long I
live George Washington. President If
the United States Il is said that
Washington bent down to kiss the BIZ lie
he said with intense and fervid " ter.
ance. 4 swear. 50 help me God"
Washington then bowed to the people
while guns we're fired. He was ,dressed
in i suit Of dark brown cloth, wit metal
buttons. on which eagles were en- ibossed.
His hair was powdered after ihei fashion
Of the day. On his shoes were silver
buckles and at his side hung a sword.
The President returned at once to the
Senate chamber. When he entered, all
arose and stood while he delivered his
address. From the Senate
chamber, the Presi1cn, and a great