Mount Vernon Exercises In Honor

of Washington's Notification

of Election as President

INVOCATION by the Chaplain of the United States House of Representatives, Rev. James Shera Montgomery, D. D.:

Almighty God, our heavenly Father upon earth, in this sacred presence we wait at the altar of prayer. Bless every one present with the mercy of a grateful heart. We are grateful today for our beloved Country and all that it means to us. We praise Thee for the sacrifice and service of our Forefathers who have made this day possible and historic. We pray Thee to bless the great fundamentals of our republic upon which it must ever rest for its glory and perpetuity. Stabilize more and more the great institutions of our democracy. Grant Thy richest blessings upon all our homes; may happiness, peace and prosperity radiate about every fireside.

Almighty God, graciously remember our notable President; do Thou stimulate every effort that is being exercised in the cause of world peace. May the time speedily come when the teachings of the Master shall become coextensive with man throughout the wide earth. Grant, dear Lord, Thy abundant blessings upon all who are present; multiply unto them Thy mercies and keep them while many days pass by and at the last claim us all as Thy children. And unto Thee be eternal praises world without end. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Musical selections by Mr. Conrad Thibault1

Home, Sweet Home

Carry Me Back to Old Virginny

ADDRESS OF MRS. HORACE MANN TOWNER

REGENT, MOUNT VERNON LADIES' ASSOCIATION OF THE UNION

MR. PRESIDENT AND GUESTS:

In behalf of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association of the Union, I take pleasure in welcoming you to the place where began that series of highly important events which culminated in the inauguration of General George Washington, as the first President of these United States.

1 The musical selections by Mr. Conrad Thibault were made possible through the courtesy of the National Broadcasting Company.

It was appropriate that an event which touched so closely the lives of George and Martha Washington should have taken place at Mount Vernon, the home which they so deeply loved. Today, one hundred and fifty years later, we look out upon the same river and upon the identical surroundings which Washington's skill and devoted care made possible. Every student of the life and character of George Washington realizes the far reaching influence which everything connected with his home at Mount Vernon had upon his career. It is not possible to estimate fairly, nor to understand clearly, his personality, without knowing something of the home in which he lived and died, and which was ever in his thoughts. The soldier and statesman found always at Mount Vernon his most enduring happiness.

We are happy that it is possible to have this commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the significant event of April 14, 1789, take place at Mount Vernon, in this home which we have had the privilege of restoring and preserving since 1859, not only for our own generation but for generations yet to come. Again, I welcome you.

READING BY REPRESENTATIVE SOL BLOOM OF ADDRESSES OF NOTIFICATION

MESSAGE DELIVERED BY CHARLES THOMSON

Sir, the President of the Senate, chosen for the special purpose, having opened and counted the votes of the electors in the presence

of the Senate and House of Representatives, I was honored with the commands of the Senate to wait upon your Excellency with the information of your being elected to the office of President of the United States of America. This commission was intrusted to me on account of my having been long in the confidence of the late Congress, and charged with the duties of one of the principal civil departments of the Government. I have now, sir, to inform you that the proofs you have given of your patriotism and your readiness to sacrifice domestic ease and private enjoyments to preserve the happiness of your country did not permit the two Houses to harbor a doubt of your undertaking this great and important office, to which you are called, not only by the unanimous vote of the electors, but by the voice of America.

I have it, therefore, in command to accompany you to New York where the Senate and House of Representatives are convened for the dispatch of public business.

WASHINGTON'S REPLY

Sir: I have been accustomed to pay so much respect to the opinion of my fellow-citizens, that the knowledge of their having given their unanimous suffrages in my favor, scarcely leaves me the alternative for an option. I can not, I believe, give a greater evidence of my sensibility of the honor which they have done me than by accepting the appointment.

I am so much affected by this fresh proof of my Country's Esteem and Confidence that silence can best explain my gratitude. While I realize the arduous nature of the Task which is imposed upon me, and feel my own inability to perform it, I wish however that there may not be reason for regretting the Choice, for indeed all I can promise is only to accomplish that which can be done by an honest zeal.

Upon considering how long a time some of the Gentlemen of both Houses of Congress have been at New York, how anxiously desirous they must be to proceed to business, and how deeply the public mind appears to be impressed with the necessity of doing it speedily, I can not find myself at liberty to delay my journey. I shall therefore be in readiness to set out the day after tomorrow and shall be happy in the pleasure of your company; if you will permit me to say that it is a peculiar gratification to have received the communication from

you.

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CEREMONIES AT MOUNT VERNON, VA.