Page images
PDF
EPUB

president.

ney to

George Washington was chosen the first President of our first the Republic, and John Adams the Vice-President. New York was to be the seat of government; and as Wash- His jourington travelled thither from his home in Virginia, he New York. had enthusiastic greetings everywhere. At Trenton, for instance, where he had formerly fought several battles, he found a triumphal arch thrown across a bridge

[graphic][ocr errors]

RECEPTION OF WASHINGTON AT TRENTON.

which he was to pass. It was the very bridge over which he had once retreated before the army of Cornwallis. The arch was supported on thirteen pillars, was wreathed with flowers, and bore the inscription, "The Defender of the Mothers will be the Preserver of the Daughters." Beneath this arch stood a party of young girls, with baskets of flowers in their hands; and they sang this song as Washington drew near:

His reception at

"Welcome, mighty chief, once more,

Welcome to this grateful shore:
Now no mercenary foe

Aims again the fatal blow,

Aims at thee the fatal blow.

Virgins fair, and matrons grave,
Those thy conquering arm did save,
Build for thee triumphal bowers:

Strew, ye fair, his way with flowers!

Strew your hero's way with flowers!"

Suiting the action to the word, they strewed before him the flowers from their baskets.

As he approached New York, a delegation was sent New York. Out to meet him. A barge was provided with a crew of

uration.

thirteen, wearing white uniforms, this number being chosen to represent the thirteen colonies; and many other boats joined in procession, with flags flying. The governor of the State and many others were in waiting at the wharf, and escorted Washington, amid great enthusiasm, to his quarters. Carriages were provided, but he preferred to walk; and the procession passed through the streets, while handkerchiefs were waved, The Inaug- and flowers were strewed in the way. Some days after, the ceremony of inauguration took place on the balcony of what was then the senate-chamber. It was a building called "Federal Hall," which stood at the meeting of four streets; and these streets were so crowded, that, as an eye-witness said, "It seemed as if one might literally walk on the heads of the people." When Washington came forth upon the balcony, the chancellor of New York read the inaugural oath to him, and he repeated it. After the oath was administered, there was a cry of "Long live George Washington, President

of the United States!" to which the assembled crowd replied with shouts of enthusiasm. Then a flag was

Republic

raised on the cupola of the hall, and there was a general discharge of artillery, and pealing of bells. Thus The new was the new Republic fully organized at last, with a fully chief magistrate who had the respect and love of the organized whole people. This was April 30, 1789.

CHAPTER XXIII.

Condition of the

country.

Relations with

France.

BU

WASHINGTON AND ADAMS.

UT Washington and those who aided him in the American Government had need of all their wisdom, and of all the public confidence, amid the duties that were to be done. The affairs of the United States were found to be in most alarming condition. The nation was very much in debt; people were very unwilling to pay taxes; the Indians were hostile; the pirates of the Barbary States often attacked American ships; and the relations of the new government with England, France, and Spain, were all very unsatisfactory. But within a few years all was changed. The money-matters were put on a sound basis; the rioters and the Indians were subdued; and treaties were made with Algiers, Spain, and England. This last treaty was made in 1794, by John Jay, and was very much opposed by many people, because it was thought to be too favorable to England; but it was at length ratified, and there was a period of peace between the two nations.

During all this prosperity the affairs of France still gave the United States a great deal of trouble. There had been in France a great revolution, which the success of the American struggle had helped to bring about. The old French monarchy had been overthrown; and

So The two

an attempt had been made to set up a republic in its
place. Unhappily this attempt had led to terrible
violence and bloodshed. All this made much excite-
ment in the United States, because France had been
the great ally of America during the Revolutionary
War; and, moreover, the French seemed to be trying to
do just what the Americans had done, though the
attempt ended very differently in the two cases.
there was in the United States a very strong party
which sympathized heartily with the French Revolu-
tion; and, on the other hand, there was another strong
party, composed of those who were afraid of French
example and French influence, and who wished the
United States Government to resemble the English
Government as much as possible. These admirers of
England were commonly called "Federalists" in those
days; while those who sympathized with France were
called "Republicans," and afterwards "Democrats."
Washington, Hamilton, and John Adams were con-
sidered Federalists; while Jefferson and Samuel Adams
were Democrats.

parties.

differences

the two

parties.

This difference between the two parties showed itself Further even in regard to the forms and ceremonies of the between government, and the style of living among public officers. The Federalists were afraid that the national government would not command respect enough; and they wished to see a good deal of formality, and even of elegance. On the other hand, the Democrats feared that the national government would become too powerful; that it would destroy the rights of the States; and that it would become too costly and aristocratic, as in European nations. President Washington's way of

« PreviousContinue »