The Coolidge examiner., 1935-02-15

plot Thus the hero of the Revolution cele
brated his blrthdAy-plautlng trees
Bot even more prosaIc WAS his celebration OF
bis FIRST birthday President Of the United
States SAYS his diary for Monday. February
I'D lTeOl Set seriously about removing ms
furniture 20 my new home Two of the gentle
men OF the family had their beds taken there
and would sleep here tonight" THIS new home"
was the nrst Executive Mansion. the McCombs
house on Broadway. just below Trinity church.
In New York city. and the mind Of the first fresi
ldent OF the United States on that historic birth
day was occupied. not with the Affairs os state
but with the homely details Of placing Snd ar
ranging furniture. However. there was ev:Ienily
a reception OF some sort In his honor q; that
time for he records somewhat naiyely. on Febru-
airy q Few or no visitors at the Leyee to-day.
from the idea OF my being on the move"
Although Washington was Ioath to encourage
any celebration OF bis birthday since II might
smack OF homage to royalty, hls people were
eager TO honor him on that occasion. Especially
was this true after the seat OF government was
moved from New York city 10 Philadelphia
In 1875 ceremonious function was held in the
Capital In honor OF the Presidents birthday and
the following year an even more elaborate one
was given. Fitzpatrick says OF Il: The church
bells rang. the hight horse. artillery and light
infantry seized the opportunity To turn out In
full strength. 10 show OF their new uniforms,
and artillery salutes were hred- Congress. the
state officials the clergy and others visited the
President 10 pay their respects and In the eve
ming the Assembly gave ball which the Presi-
dent and Mrs Washington attended. which was,
Dunlap's Advertiser reported. the most brilliant
display Of beauty. perhaps. ever exhibited In this
cis.'"
But the socialtes OF the nations Capital were
not the only ones who celebrated Washingtons s
birthday at that time. Out on what was then the
Western frontier there was another celebration,
OF somewhat different sort but nonetheless
sincere In the library OF the United States Mill
tary academy at West Point are preserved the
orderly books OF Gen Anthony Wayne, kept dur.
ing his campaign against the Indians In 1925,
and OF his successor, Gen. James Wilkinson In
them appears this entry during the year 17o6
Head Quarters Greenvine (Ohlo) February p
Tomorrow being the Anniversary OF the
Birth of George Washington the Illustrious
President of the United States; The Auspclous
Day will be Distinguished by display OF the
flag from the Citadel AT sun rise and federal
salute from the Park at l. oclock-Al
Fatigues are TO cease-The troops VIII draw
an Extra Gin OF Whiskey. and The Officers off
DUTY are Requested to Dine ar Head Quar-
ters"
No doubt the soldiers. enjoying both the fact
that "All Fatigues are TO cease and that they
would draw an Extra gill Of WhIskey." were
quite willing to wish their commander In chief
many happy returns of the day!
Soon after the Revolution closed and even be
fore Washington became President, his Virginia
friends Instituted one celebration OF his birthday
which lasted for many years This was the
"Blrthnight Ball." first held In Alexandria and