Morning daily herald., April 28, 1889, Page 4, Image 4

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T1IJ5 HERALD: SUDAY. APRIL 28, 189
TOE CENTENNIAL.
The National Glory Will Center
in New York April 30.
THREf: 1AYS OF REJOICING.
From YT willing ton to Harrison Why the
Constitution Wan Adopted Karv Ele
ment of the New Kepnblic Wanhlnjj
lon'i Trinmphal 3Iare-h Ilec-tloii and
Inauguration A Century" (Srnwth Out
line of Event on April 29 ami SO and
Hay I. 1889.
George Washington was tho hero of the
most successful and least destructive revolu
tion recorded in history. His inauguration
was the beginning of a new era, as well as
the inception of a new government Indeed,
the chief novelty of the new government
consisted not so much itt its form, for that
contained little that was new, but tho vital
application of principles admitted down
to that time, but generally ignored. The
declaration of radical principles by which
the Dutch of the Sixteenth century justified
their sanguinary struggle with Spain, and
the system of political ethics professed by the
English in their revolution of the Seventeenth
century, received but little addition in the
Declaration of Independence; but what the
Dutch and the English could not do by reason
of their old environment, the Americans,
marvelously favored by a sparse population
in an immense country, and the self reliance
of pioneer, resolutely set themselves to make
practical
The beginning of the American republio
now stands forth on era far more important
than that of Magna Chartaor the Petition of
Rights. Its centennial will, therefore, be
celebrated in New York city with all the en
thosiasm of the first inauguration added to
the confidence born of a hundred years' suc-rr?-.
rv-odnt Harrison will arrive by the
rir,iT',. . 1 1 will pass over the same scenes
ui -Nev . . - as did President Washington,
fie will embark in like manner at Elizabeth
port, N. J., and pass thence on a government
dispatch boat to the foot of Wall street,
among the vessels of all nations, as Washing
ton did; will be formally welcomed by tho
mayor and city officials, as Washington was;
will be received with the same salute, and
generally will observe the same routine.
THE CONSTITUTIONAL FATHERS.
The annexed history of Washington's inau
guration will, therefore, be a sort of advance
programme of the ceremonies on the coming
90th of April. The preliminary sketch will,
Tt is hoped, enable young readers to compre
hend the peculiar difficulties confronting the
-first president, and in the discussions which
preceded and the words in which tho agree
ment to the charter of the national govern
ment was couched may be found the germs
of our national policy and the divergenciesof
oar political parties.
It is conceded by all observers of that time
that the constitution never won 1,1 have ob
tained the sanction of the needed states had
there not been a certainty in the public mind
that Washington would be the first president
( and therefore give to its terms an executivo
oonstruction which would be binding for all
time. Washington was therefore in a pecul
" iar sense the principal creator of tho new
government. But the causes for local jeal
ousy which went so near to defeating his object
may here be briefly and profitably reviewed.
It should le borne in mind that the colonies
were founded by men representing at least i
four great branches of the Caucasian
stock and six distinct and somewhat un
friendly religious bodies The Puritan. Dutch
and Swedish Calvinists aud Lutherans; the i
English Quakers, Catholics and Episcopalians,
ud lastly the French Huguenots. The Irish
DC the early immigration were nearly all non j
Celtic and Protestant, while the Palatiue Ger !
mans who located in Pennsylvania and the
valley of Virginia did not in any sense con '
titute an alien political party
Necessity comxlled some sort of union
from the first, but it was self evident that no
me of the local religious elements could pre
vail over all the others, and thus by a most
fortunate accident there was from the first a
soinplete divorce of church and state under
the old government, while the anomaly was
presented or a union of the two in some of
toe states till Ions after the adoption of the
present purely secular national constitution
Jeali u.-i inherent in rbe religions of the
original .-to;-::. were very slowly eliminated.
and the- growing out -.f local interests in
trade and navigation were most persistent of
slL Hence the instinct- of the people lookeil
to a man of ini;K:rtial tenier to bold the just
balance of the constitution between state
rights and centralization between the
muth, the west and the east between the in
terests of manufacturing, commerce and
navigation. There was but one man in whom
the confidence of the vast classes and sections
acoterod. a native of the south, who had won
his first p eat laurels in the north, and that
man was George Washington.
THE FIRST ELECTION.
On the 21st of June, 1788. New Hampshire,
the ninth state, ratified the constitution. On
fee 2d of July her formal notification of that
tact was read in the Confederation congress,
and after long and heated debate, that con
gress on the 13th of September resolved that
the first Wednesday in January should be the
day for appointing electors, the first Wed
nesday in February the day for them to vote,
and the first Wednesday in March the time
" and New York, the then seat of congress, the
place to commence proceedings under the
new constitution.
On the 4th of March but few delegates were
present. On the 25th twenty-six representa
tives answered to their names, but thirty
were necessary to a quorum, which was not
J-ROKT OF FEDERAL BALL, WALL STREET. ,
177a j
obtained until April 1. Fisher Ames says !
that the dolcftes were "composed of !
sober, solid old charter folk." On the 5th of j
April Richard Henry Lee arrived from Vir- I
ginia end completed the quorum of the j
te. On the Ctn or April tne two nouses
j
'
met in Federal hall, opened and counted the
votes, George Washington receiving every
one for president and John Adams enough
to elect him vice president. Charles Thomp
son, secretary of the Confederation congress,
was immediately dispati!&ei to Mount Ver
non with the official notification to the president-elect,
and Sylvanu fourno sailed in a
packet boat through Long Island sound on
the 7th of April for Boston with tho formal
notice to John Adams.
Federal hall had leen thoroughly refur
nished and remodeled for the occasion. In
front were four doric columns and a pedi
ment, the cornices being arranged in thirteen
squares, each of which contained a star, a?:d
over it was the American eagle and other in
signia. Over it also were the arms of the
United States with thirteen sculptured ar
rows, entwined in olive branches, all combin
ing to give the imposing structure a truly
national appearance. The chamber for the
representatives was sixty-one feet long and
fifty-eight broad, with an arched ceiling
forty-six feet high in the center. The sen
ate chamber was smaller and much more
highly decorated. In the center of its arched
ceiling of light blue was a sun and thirteen
stars. Its fire places were lined by polished
variegated American marble, and the presi
dent's chair was elevated three feet above i
tho floor under a crimson canopy. Near it
a large door oponed southward upon the bal
cony where Washington took the oath of
office. In these halls in the closing da j s of
April, 1789, were assembled the really repre
sentative men of the United States
ARRIVAL OF WASHINGTON.
Egbert Benson, from New York, Peter
Muhlenberg, from Pennsylvania, and Sam
"el GrH1n, from V irgium, were appointed a
committee on the reception of tho president,
and they prepared the house of Mr. Osgood,
lately occupied by the president or congress.
The house stood in what is now Franklin
square, at the corner of Cherry street.
J,-'s:-a".
WASHINGTON I'ASSI.VO THROUGH TRENTON.
Washington had set out from Mount Ver
non as soon as Secretary Thompson arrived,
and his journey was one continuous tri
umphal procession. Cities, towns and vil
lages turned out en masse. The road for
many miles was lined with people from the
adjacent country, manifesting their joy in
many impulsive ways, by shouts, by laugh
ter and by tears. Mothers who bad
trudged many miles held up their babes
that they might say in after life that
they had seen Washington. The sick and the
aged were carried to the line and given prom
inent places at the windows. The veterans
of the revolution and the new militia paraded
everywhere. Guns were fired, triumphal
arches were erected in the towns and
stretched from tree to tree in the country.
At Gray's Ferry, across the Schuylkill, the
i president-elect was escorted through a long
j avenue of laurels under a sort of arbor cov
i ered with laurel branches. As he passed the
last arch a civic crown of laurels was ingen
! iously lowered upon his head from above,
i greatly to his surprise, and amid tho deafen-
ing shouts of the multitude. At Trenton a
! magnificent triumphal arch had been erected,
j Above it was the date of his victory at that
place in gold lettering with flowers twined
: about it, and as he passed under this thirteen
j girls in whito marched beforo him, sang a
! welcoming ode and scattered flowers in bis
; pathway
j At the samo time John Adams was ap
I proacbing with somewhat less state from
; New England, and ou the 20th of April he
I arrived in New York, escorted from the Ccn
i necticut line to Kingsbridge by the light
i horse of Westchester county, and fron.
I Kingsbridge into tho city by all the city cav
i airy, commanded by Gen. Malcolm and Capt
I Stokes, and followed by mo.st of the members
of cougreiis and a large concourse c; citizens.
lis lo.iged at the house of Hon. John Jay,
and the next day was escorted to the secato
chamber by Caleb Strong and iialpu Izard,
rr as Me;
where he was introduced as vice president ol
tho United States and took the oath of office.
Early on the morning of April 23 the
booming of cannon and the ringing of belli
announced that Washington had arrived at
Elizabethport, N. J., and business was en
tirely suspended. At Elizabethport the president-elect
was received by a committee of
WASIUNUTOX I'ASSIXO THE SPANISH VESSFL
OA1.VF.STON.
congress, of which Elias Boudinot was chair
man, and by the heads of the departments in
the confederation, namely: John Jay, secre
tary of foreign afl'airs. John Knox, secretary
of war; Roliert It. Livingston, chancellor ol
the state of New York. Sumuel Osgood, Ar
thur lee and Walter Livingston, commis
sioners of the treasury, lilienezer Hazzard,
postmaster general, and by the mayor and
recorder of the- city
A large and handsome barge, prepared and
draped for the purposi', was in waiting,
manned by thirteen masters of vessels in
white uniform, and commanded by Commo
dore James Nicholson Washington was
seated in this, and as it moved slowly front
tho Jersey shore other barges, fancifully dec
orated, fell into line behind it The proccs
sion moved through the narrow strait betweer
New Jersey and Stalen Island, and man;
boats and vessels fell into its wake. As it
passed Bedloe's Island a sloop come alongside
bearinga volunteer choir of twenty-flveladiei
and gentlemen, who sang an ode composed
for the occasion to the music of "God Sav
the Queen." Every vessel in the harbor wa
in holiday attire, the Spanish ship-of-wai
Galveston being especially noticeable, and as
the barge came abreast of her she at once dis
played every flag and signal in use among
nations. It is to ho remembered that the
new nation was on especially friendly term:
with France. Spain and Holland.
RECEPTION OF THE PRESIDENT
ELECT. Governor George Clinton received th
President-elect at the ferry stairs, and whet
Washington stepped to the shore the vast
multitude broke into loud and prolonged
cheers. The crowds were so densely packer!
in the procession that it required a long timi
and much exertion to force the way to th
president's house in Franklin square. Everj
house on the route was decorated ; every win
dow was filled with people, shouting and wav
ing flags and handkerchiefs. Flowers fell ii
the streets in constant showers and were dis
played in every kind of device. The nami
of Washington was presented in flowers
flags and evergreens. At his house in Frank
lin square Washington spent the remaindei
of the day, from 4 p. m. to late bedtime, ii
receiving visitors and congratulations of for
eign ministers, political characters, public
bodies and private citizens of distinction, h
the evening the entire city was brilliantly ii
luminated.
All this time the ci.ty was being filled witl
people from every part of the adjoining conn
try and from New England. New York had
never before had such a multitude. Old let
ters lately resurrected give amusing account
of the difficulty of securing lodgings, of th
breaking down of carriages and delays and
hindcrances on account of the bad roads ol
that day. All the houses in tbe city were
soon filled and tents were pitched in vacan:
lots.
On the 29th the committee of the twt
houses reported an elaborate plan, providing
that Gen. Webb, CoL Smith. Lieut CoL
Fish. Lieut. CoL Franks, Maj. L'Enfant.
Maj. Bleecker and Mr. John li. Livingston
serve as aids and assistants; that chairs tx
placed in the senate chamber for the presi
dent and vice president, tho senators sitting
on that side where the vice president's chair
was placed and tho representatives on thf
other side, with the speaker at their head; alst
that seats should be provided in the senate
chamber for the late president of the Con
federation congress and governor of
Western territory, the five persons at
tlHl
th
heads of the departments, the ministers of
France and Spain, the . chaplain of congress
and persons in tho suite of the president, the
lieutenant governor, chancellor, chief justice
and judges of the supreme court of New
York and mayor of the city; also, that there
should be services in all tie churches in the
ciy at 9 o'clock in the morning, which all
the people were requested to attend; that
immediately after the conclusion of the serv
ices the procession should move; that the
oath should be taken about noon, and that
the president, chaplain and both houses of
congress should proceed to St Paul's church
immediately after tho ceremony to hear
divine service.
THE GLORIOUS .DAY.
The programme was fully carried out. A
national salute ushered in the morning of the
30th of April. At U o'clock every bell in the
city pealed for u few minutes, then in slow
tones summoned tho people to religious ser
vice, immediately after which the procassion
was formed in the following order:
Col. Morgan Lewis, att uded by two officers
Capt Stokes, with tho Troop of Horse.
Artillery.
Maj. Van f!orsc
Grenadiers, under Capt riarsin.
German Grenadiers, very trayly attired, undei
Capt Scriba.
Maj. Bicker.
The Infantry of the Brigade
Mai. Cliryslie.
Sheriff.
Committee of the Senate.
lresldent-elect in a Chariot Drawn by Foui
Poi-ses.
His Suite.
Civil Officers.
Committee of the Representatives,
non. Mr. Jay, Secretary of Foreign Affairs
Gen. Knox, Secretary of War
Chancellor Livingston.
Several Gentlemen of Distinction.
At Federal hall tho troops massed in clo
order on Wall ami Broad streets. Washing
ton passed through and was conducted to the
senate chamber ncwding to the programme,
when Vice President Adams said:
"Sir, the senate and house of rcpresenta
tives of the Uuited States are ready to attend
you to mke tho oath required by the consti
tution, which will be administered by th
chancellor of the state of Now York."
"1 am ready to proceed," was the reply.
They then passed to the balcony in the or
der prcscribetL Broad and Wall streets ir
each direction presented a compact mass ol
upturned faces, and it is remarked that every
persou was still as a statue and profound si
lence reigned. The windows and housetops
were crowded with people. Spectators ex
actly on the opposite side have many timet
described the appearance of the group on the
balcony.
In the center and standing apart a little,
separated by a space from all except CoL
Webb and Chancellor Livingston, stood
Washington, clad in a complete suit of ele
gant broadcloth, of American manufacture,
with white silk stockings, also a native pro
duction, plain silver buckles in bis shoes,
bead uncovered, his hair heavily powdered
and tied in a cue, according to the fashion
of the day. He stood upon a square stone
slightly elevated above the floor of the bal
cony. To the right of him stood Chancellor
Livingston, nearly as tall as himself. On
the other side stood Vice President Adams.
Samuel A. Otis, secretary of the senate, stood
near. A little to the rear and forming a sort
of semicircle was a group of persons then and
ever since dear to the American people,
whose fame was second only to that of Wash
ington. First was the secretary, John J ay, e
tall, slight man, with a face indicating calm
WASHINGTON TAKIXU THE OATH.
serenity mid a fine typo of character Next,
tho brave Gen. Knox, Baron Steuben, Alex
ander Hamilton, Governor St Clair of tho
Northwest Territory, and Rocr Sherman.
Behind them were the congressional celebri
ties; then, extending to the wings of the bal
cony on each side, as many members, both ol
tho senato and house, as there was room for.
Chancellor Livingston slowly pronounceu
the oath. Washington reverently repeated it
after him. The Bible was raised. As the
president bowed to kiss it, he said in a clear
voice? "I swear," then.'closing his eyes, added,
"So help me, God."
"It is dose," said the chancellor. Then,
turning to the multitude, he said in a loud
voice:
"Long live George Washington, president
of the United States In
Instantly the flag was run up to the top of
the staff of the cupola of Federal hall, and all
the bells of the city broke forth at once,
Shouts and acclamations from the waiting
thousands were repeated again and again,
and cannon boomed from every point of the
compass from land and water. Although a
century has passed, what American can read
of this inspiring theme without feeling bis
pulses thrill anewt
HIS PERSON AND CHARACTER.
Washington was at that time 57 years old,
and as was stated by thousands who knew
him intimately, had outgrown that awk
wardness of movement which marked bim
all through his early life, and arrived at an
attitude of most wonderful and kindly dig
nity His figure was neither awkward nor
stiff. Ho was six feet three inches high,
splendidly porportioned, finely developed and
straight He had a long and muscular arm
and a very large hand. His motions were
somewhat slow, and his voice almost uni
formly grave. His breeding, of course, was
that of a gentleman. He was fond of so
ciety, enjoying the good things of life, and in
the circle of his intimates he indulged in a
quiet humor and was sensitive to the beauty
of a good story.
After Washington's return to the senate
chamber and delivery of the address, he, with
both houses of congress and many others,
proceeded on foot to St Paul's chapel on
Broadway, where divine service was per
formed by Bishop Provost, when the presi
dent was escorted to his own bouse. In the
evening the city was illuminated in a style
unparalleled in America, and which drew
forth praise even from visiting Frenchmen
and other foreigners. The theatre in John
street was a blaze of light, the front covered
with transparencies, one of which represented
Fame like an angel descending from heaven
to crown Washington with immortality. In
Bowling Green were numerous transparen
cies representing Washington and the differ
ent branches of the new government presided
over by Justice and Wisdom, Columbia, Lib
erty and many other characters.
It is reported that every house in the city
was illuminated, the most brilliantly so being
those of the French and Spanish ministers,
who tried to outdo each other. All the doors
and windows of the French minister's house
were bordered with brilliant lamps shining
upon numerous paintings representing the
past and present of American history.
Gathered about the door of the Spanish min
ister's bouse was a curiously elaborate group
of the Graces, and in each window moved
pictures arranged to pass before the eyes of
tho spectators so as to present the illusion of
a panorama. One of the ships off the Battery
arranged its rigging with lanterns so as tc
represent a pyramid of stars, and the display
of fireworks under the direction of CoL
TABLE A.VD CHAIH USED BY FIRST CONGRESS.
Bauman was the finest America had evei
seen. President Washington drove down
Broadway, around Bowling Green, along tht
Battery and through the principal 6treets, ob
tainiug a full view of the cheering spectacle
THE SEMI-CENTENNIAL.
Fifty years passed away and the semi-centennial
of the first inauguration was celebrated
by tho New York Historical society Aprt
SO, 1S3'J The accomplished John Quincv
Adams delivered an eloquent address. Forty
one years more passed, and in 1SS0 th
chamber of commerce of New York begar
the movement to erect a colossal bronze
statue of Washington on the same spot
where ho took the inaugural oath. The nec
essary money was raised in a few days and
the work was executed by the eminent sculp
tor, John Quiney Adorns Ward.
Ou tho tl-'ith ot November, 1SK5, tho cm
hundredth anniversary of Washington's en
trance into New York city, the unveiling
ceremonies took place, unfortunately in tlu
mist of a drenching rain. George W. ljina
president of the chamber of commerce, pre
sided. Richard S. Storrs offered prayer
Royal Phillips, in behalf of the chamber ot 1
commerce, reported respecting the work
Governor Grover Cleveland, of New York
unveiled the statue, and President Arthui
accepted it on behalf of the government ol
the United States. An eloquent address wat
delivered by George William Curtis and thi
benediction pronouueed by Rt Rev. Heurj
C Potter, bishop of New York. Two yean
later tho New York Historical society begat
the movement for acenteunial celebratiou
which has now reached such Immense propor
tions. All the old societies of New York hav
joined in. Committees have been organizec
on every branch of the work, of whico it i
only necessary to mention the most responsi
ble and those of most historic note.
PLAN OF THE CENTENNIAL.
The geueral outline of proceedings will bt
as follows, to which will be added a supple
mentary outline for each separate depart
moot, and directions furnished upon tht
ground for each of the different detachcientt
represented by various nations and variouj
departments of the government:
L The president of the United States, pro
ceeding through Philadelphia and New jer
sey, halting in the same manner and stopping
at the same places as did Washington, will
arrive at the harbor of New York on Mon
day, April 29, will be met by a deputation ol
the officials of New York state and city and
taken thencoon a government dispatch boat
to the foot of Wall street in the city of New
York, passing en route the United States and
foreign ships of war, the yachts of all the
clubs which may be present arranged in
propor order and a large number of other
vessels suitably decorated for the occasion.
In this progress be will be received by the
crews of all the vessels with the honor due
his office and by the ships of war with the
salute prescribed by law for the president
At Wall street the president will be formally
welcomed by bis honor Mayor Grant, of New
York, and escorted to his quarters.
On the evening of April 29 will occur the
great ball at the Metropolitan Opera house,
which is designed to be the greatest assembly
of the kind the world ever saw At the head
of the principal committee in arranging for
this ball is Mr. Ward McAllister, the recog
nized authority on natters of social rank,
adornment and taste in the city of New York,
who has devised many unique and original
features, making tho ball as distinctively
American as possible. The dance will be
ipened with a quadrille, wherein the dancers
will be the president, vice president and then
wives, with Governor Hill and Mayor Grant
and such ladies as they shall choose, an
alone with these other tew wiu w
of people who are the lineal descendant of
the heroes or tne revolution. . :
The committee on art have arranged o,
signs for the hall, in which the America .; . ;
Eagle, the Father of His Country, the BUT r
Spangled Banner, Peace, Victory, Fortona, ,,i
the Genius of the Republic, Liberty, and
Goddess of Justice will be presented in th , y
cvloaraP Aft RrOtUBft meflM . v . t
have also been struck, having on one side
medallion of Washington and on the other
appropriate inscriptions. These are to be
kept as historic souvenirs. The badges of tbe
committee and the drapings of the ball will
be arranged in various colors, namely t For
the general government, in red, white and
blue; for the army, light blue; for the navy,
dark blue, and for the other committees and
departments in appropriate colors. '
3L The great day of April SO will begin
with a demonstration unique in itself, and
which could probably occur in no other coun
try in the world, at any rate it distinguishes
the American republic above all others.
Representative of all the great religious
tw?ia in AmM-ira hnva combined in are-
quest to tbe people of their respective beliefs
SECTION OF THE HISTORIC RAILING.
throughout the country to unite at 9 o'clock
in religious services, demonstrating that the
union of civil and religious liberty is now so
complex that men of every faith meet under
a common flag at the call of rector, rabbi,
pastor or minister to return thanks to the
common God of the Jew and the Christian
for the literties we enjoy. At o'clock all
the bells of the city will peal, and all the
churches will be open for religious services.
It is to be hoped this will be the case in every
part of the United States. As Dr. Provost,
bishop of New York and chaplain of the sen
ate, conducted the services 100 years ago, so
Bishop Potter, of New York, assisted by the
Rev. Dr. Morgan Dix, rector of Trinity and
St Paul's church, will conduct the services
on the morning of April SO.
3. The army committee will then take
charge of the president and party, who will
be escorted to the steps of the sub-treasury,
at the corner of Wall and Nassau streets, but
looking towards Broad, where the formal
literary exercises will be held, beginning at
half past 10. The Rev. Richard S. Storrs
will offer the prayer. If his health permits, a
poem will be read by the venerable Quaker
poet, John Greenleaf Whittier. The -Hon.
Chauucey M. Depew will then deliver the
oration of the day. President Harrison will
speak briefly, and Archbishop Corrigan will
pronounce the benediction.
4. On the conclusion of the literary exer
cises all the batteries of all the forts and tbe
shipping in the harbor will fire a salute ot
twenty-one guns, and tbe military parade
will then begin. This has given .the commit
tee more concern than any part of the cere
monies, which will be easily understood when
it is known that n single state expects to have
many thousand troops present. It was at
first intended that the president should re
view the procession from the steps of the sub
treasury building by the Washington statue,
but as this would require the somewhat un
military movement of breaking files to the
left in narrow Wall street, it was decided
that be should review from the stand erected
on Broad street opposite. By this latter it
was found that were even one half of the
parade to pass the reviewing stand the entire
portion of lower New York would be blocked
with civic and military organizations and
spectators. The review wilL therefore, take
place in the broader streets and larger
squares, where it can tie witnessed by 2,000,
000 people, if so many are present Gen.
Sheridan was originally designated as grand
marshal. Since his decease that honor has
been most appropriately conferred on his
official successor, Maj. Gen. Schofleld.
5l The day will close with a grand banquet
at tbe Metropolitan Opera House, where
covers will bo laid for KOO guests.
C )n the 1st of May tbe proceedings will
bo ii)'u informal, except for tbe grand in
dustrial ;aradc. of w hich only the general
features have been arranged in advance, tbe
details of each art and industry being left to
tbe iersons interested. From every state
and territory, every noted mine, every prod
uct of the country, agricultural and manu
factured, will be represented in the parade.
Barges with historical groups and appropri
ate paintings will present every detail of na
tional evolution from the landing of Sir Wal
ter Raleigh and tbe Pilgrims to tbe inaugu
ration of President Benjamin Harrison.
WASHINGTON'S CHAIR.
. Historical reproductions will show New
York as it was when Hendrick Hudson
landed in September, 1609, and again as it
was in the days of tbe Dutch and early Eng
lish occupation, the colonial days, and, in
short, all its stages from tbe seaport town to
the metropolis of the western world. Simi
larly visitors from every section of the conn
try will see their progress portrayed, from
the wigwam in the forest, tbe rude hut of
the settler and the early town to the present
time It is believed that ia the way of typi
fying a hundred years' progress of a great
nation in general and detail the industrial
parado will be among the most attractive
features of the centennial.
Although the committees have arranged but
for three days, yet a number of supplementary
exhibitions of various kinds will precede and
follow the centennial During the entire month
of April there will be an exhibition of historical
portraits in the Metropolitan Opera House,
and of portraits, letters and documents never
before exhibited to the public. Among the
noted relics will be the chairs which stood in
Federal hall, especially that occupied by
Washington during the firstdaysof tbe presi
dency The noted portrait of George Wash
ington painted by Gilbert Stuart, at Mount
Vernon, in 1797, and given by Washington to
Alexander Hamilton, a portrait which has
never been photographed or engraved, will
be on exhibition. It is now th m
Hamilton's grandson, Alexander Hamilton,
of New York.
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