The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1935-02-22

a reception Of some sort in his honor at that
time for he records somewhat naively, on Febru-
airy %: Few or no visitors at the Leyee to-day,
from the idea Of my being the move"
Although Washington was loath to encourage
any celebration of his birthday, since It might
smack Of homage TO royalty, his people were
eager 10 honor him on that occasion Especially
was this true after the seat Of government was
moved from New York city to Philadelphia, as
witness an item that appeared in Philadelphia
newspaper on the morning Of February q, 1913.
1t read:
Yesterday being the anniversary Of the
Birthday of our beloved fellow citizen, George
Washington, President Of the United States Of
America, Capt Fishers Volunteer company Of
Artillery and three companies Of Light Infan-
try paraded at the State House, from whence
they marched to the Artillery Ground and pro-
ceeded TO the corner Of Ninth and Market
Streets where they fred fifteen rounds and
gave three cheers; afterwards they marched
down Market Street and gave salute as they
passed the Presidents House. All the shipping
in the Harbour had their colours hoisted out,
and the bells of Christ church rang peals every
half hour during the day. Many hundreds Of
respectable citizens waited on the President
TO pay him visit of personal respect, and
offer their sincere congratulations. In the eve
ming there was an elegant ball at Oeller's Ho-
tel; and In many other places the day was
closed with conviviality and rejoicing"
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 it: The church
bells rang, the hight horse, artillery and light
infantry seized the opportunity to turn out in
full strength, to show off their new uniforms,
and artillery salutes were fired Congress, the
state officials, the clergy and others visited the
President TO 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
city,"
The leyee held in the earlier hours of the day
is best described by Isaac Weld, brilliant young
Irish traveller, who attended the one in 1896:
Every person of consequence in the city,
Quakers excepted, made ii point to visit the
General As early eleven o'clock In the morn
ing he was prepared TO receive them and the
audience lasted till three in the afternoon The
foreign ministers attended in their richest dresses
and most splendid equipages- Two large parlours
were open for the reception of the gentlemen.
the windows Of one of which towards the street
were crowded with spectators on the outside.
The sideboard was furnished with cake and
wines whereof the visitors partook. / never OBJ
served so much cheerfulness before on the coun-
tenance Of General Washington; but ii was inn
possible for him to remain insensible to the at
tention and compliments paid to him on this
occasion The ladies Of the city. equally atten-
tive, paid their respects to Mrs. Washington,
who received them in the drawing room upstairs
After having visited the General. most of the
gentlemen waited on her."
But the socialites of the nations Capital were
not the only ones who celebrated Washington's
birthday ar that time Out on what was then the
Western frontier there was another celebration.
OF a 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 Cen 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 1875:
Head Quarters GreenviIle (Ohic) February 81
Tomorrow being the Anniversary Of the
Birth Of George Washington, the nlustrious
President of the United States; The Auspicious
Day win be Distinguished by display Of the