Evening star., 1925-03-03

so far as the program of events was
concerned. and despite the evident
nervousness of all involved, not ex-
cepting Gen. Washington himself, set
the standard for all subsequent In
augurations.
On that occasion there was a mill
tsry and civic parade, escorting the
President elects carriage TO the
Capitol" (then the Federal building
in New York city), the oath was ad-
rninistered on a balcony correspond
ing TO the east portlco Of the present
Capitol there was cannonading and
fireworks and an inaugural ball, the
latter one week later.
The events leading up to the first
inaugural, on April 80, 1888, are
worthy Of special comment
Trip Took Two Weeks.
Washington left Mount vernon for
Now York on the morning Of April is,
two weeks before the date set for his
induction into Office. His entire trip
was made by carriage over poor
roads. except for the last leg, from
Elizabethport TO New York, which
was made by boat.
Having made a special trip to
Fredericksburg to bid his mother
goodbye. Washington started out
from Mount Vernon in company with
Mr.. Thompson and Col. Humphreys
and stopped overnight at Alexandria,
where he was rendered a Toustng re-
ceptiou, concluding with a lively din
ner at Wise's Tavern, at which many
roaStS were drunk and speeches de-
j!vered. Biographers say the gen
eral was overcome with emotion at
this demonstration by his friends.
Leaving the next day. Friday. for
Georgetown, he was escorted by q
delegation of Alexandrians on horse
back, and half way to Georgetown
was met by large group OF men and
boys from that place. He continued
without much delay to Baltimore. ac-
Georgetown, and arrived at Grants
Tavern the same night--a right good
bit of travelling in the time of dirt
highways and carriages.
Up Mt $50 Next Day.
Cen Washington was up with the
sun, at $40 am, and started driving
toward Wilmington amid the booming
of guns and the shouts of the people.
a large delegation Of Baltimoreans
who had intended to ride to Whining
ton as an escort were induced to re-
turn to their own city by Washing
ton. Near Wilmington he was met
by another large group Of citizens
who made several speeches OF well
come, and he was then accompanied
to the Delaware rePennsylvania line,
en- route to Philadelphia
The latter city had made great
preparations to receive Gen. Wash
ington, expending $1,000 for mill
tary reception. Early Monday morn
ing the President-elect arrived at
Chester, had breakfast, forsook his
carriage temporarily for white
horse, and headed for Philadelphia.
Enormous crowds hailed him as he
arrived there. The city was gor
geously decorated with flags, flowers
and victory arches, and beneath one
of the arches Washington halted
long enough TO have a laurel wreath
placed on his brow. A great banquet
was served in the evening at the
celebrated City Tavern, at which the
popular custom of having a band
play during the meal was first tried
out, with marked success.
Spends Night at Princeton.
Tuesday morning. April 21. he left
for Trenton, treadfng pathway Of
flowers at the latter place. He spent
the night at Princeton with Rev. DR..
John Witherspoon, and left Wednes
day for Elizabethport, where he stop
ped at the Public House of Gen. Smith
At EliZab ethport he stepped on q
barge manned by 13 masters of
vessels" and on board which was the
official joint committee of Congress
which was to escort him to New York
He was met at the wharf in New
York by a military procession, Gov.
Clinton, the mayor, the French ant
Spanish Ambassadors and other dig
nitaries. He stopped at the Franklin
House.
New York was q lively town on
April 30. All the taverns and board
ing houses were overfiowing and the
streets were filled. The day opened
with the firing Of q salute by the
artillery at Fort George. AT a.m-
all the church bells rang out. At
noon the military marched to the
presidential headquarters on Cherry
street, followed by the congressional
committee and the heads OF the prtn-
cipal Government departments. The
inaugural parade began shortly after
ward, with Col. Morgan Lewis in COM
mand. Gen Washington proceeded in
the state coach, drawn by four horses,
to the Federal Building, accompanied
in the rear by Gen. Jay, Gen. Knox
and Chancellor Livingston. who was
TO administer the oath. The militia
made fine showing. historians state,
two companies of grenadiers attract
ing particular attention, as one was
composed of the tallest young men in
town and the other exclusively Of
Germans.
Building Crowded.
The Federal Building was crowded
to the point of suffocation long be-
fore noon.
The Senate was extremely nervous
about how to act during the ceremony
whether the members should stand
or sit. A spirited debate was
launched and parliamentary prece-
dents were looked for in vain and
finally John Adams had to leave to
meet Gen. Washington without first
getting his instructions on this point,
ss presiding officer.
Then another debate arose as to
how to receive the clerk Of the House,
and right IN the midst Of the argu-
mentation by the distinguished Sem
atorS the debate was settled by the
sudden entry of the Speaker of the
House. followed by all the House
members.
When the President elect arrived
at the Capitol he was met by the
congressional committee, the chair
man of which excitedly announced
Washington's coming to the assem-
bled Congress. At this juncture
Chancellor Livingston nearly had
heart failure when he discovered that
there was no Bible in the building for
the swearingin rite. Being grand
master OF Masons. however, he re-
called having seen one in the st.
Johns lodgeroom, nearby, and
courier hurried there and brought it
back.
Thousands See Ceremony.
Washinton then entered the open
gallery, in the front of the Senate
chamber, accompanied by Adams, Gov.
Clinton and Chancellor Livingston.