civvies lesson

birthday generalissimo

According to the February 23, 1869 issue of The New-York Times Washington’s Birthday 150 years ago was kind of a humdrum day in the great metropolis, a day that “had the air of something that has missed fire. It was neither like a holiday nor a business day, but a pale colorless negation of both. There were plenty of folks in holiday costume about the streets, but there was nothing to mark the anniversary of Washington’s birthday save a few flags drooping dismally over the City Hall, and a vast concourse of idlers thronging the steps and piazzas of the civic building.” Public offices and many stores were closed, giving much of downtown “a sort of semi-Sabbatical aspect, which, lowered upon by gloomy skies, was extremely depressing.”

The patient crowd at city hall waited in vain for parades or an appearance by the military or fireworks in the evening. There was a bit excitement when a man dressed somewhat in the garb of a Continental Army officer appeared. The people had a lot of fun with “General Washington,” but he turned out to be a photograph vendor. Veterans of the War of 1812 got together to talk over old times and learn about a pension bill stuck in the U.S. Senate. There were some regimental balls around town and a banquet for newsboys.

Things were slightly more exciting for the general public in the nation’s capital:

Mum’s the word?

WASHINGTON, Monday, Feb. 22.

The torchlight display of the Boys in Blue to-night was quite brilliant, notwithstanding the rain. About 3,500 were in line. At 10 o’clock the procession reached the residence of Gen. GRANT, in front of which it halted, the band playing “Hail to the Chief.” A committee of gentlemen representing the organization were introduced to Gen. GRANT, who subsequently reviewed the procession. No speeches were made, Gen. GRANT remarking to the committee that it would be impossible to be heard by the great number, and desiring them to return his thanks to the “Boys in Blue” for their kind consideration. He was pleased to see them celebrating the anniversary of the birth of the “Father of the Country.” Afterward the line of march was again formed, and the procession moved to the residence of Speaker COLFAX, intending to pay their respects to that gentleman, and subsequently called on Senator-elect CARL SCHURZ. …

“dignity and benevolence”

Another New York periodical put an image of George Washington on its cover and described an event from his life that it connected with the upcoming inauguration of President-elect Ulysses S. Grant. From the February 27, 1869 issue of Harper’s Weekly:

WASHINGTON’S RESIGNATION.

In connection with the approaching event of General GRANT’S inauguration as President of the United States – an event destined to be memorable in our history – there is one incident in the career of General WASHINGTON that is especially called to our minds: it is the resignation of his commission as Commander-in-Chief, at Annapolis, December 23, 1883.

Redcoats out, Continentals in

farewell to armies

The day was fine, and around the State-house a great concourse was assembled. The little gallery of the Senate Chamber was filled with ladies, among whom was Mrs. WASHINGTON. The members of Congress were seated and covered; the spectators were all uncovered. WASHINGTON entered and was led to a chair, when General MIFFLIN, President of Congress, arose and announced the readiness of that body to receive his communications. The Chief, with great dignity and much feeling, delivered a brief speech. “Happy,” said he, “in the confirmation of our independence and sovereignty, and pleased with the opportunity afforded the United States of becoming a respectable nation, I resign with satisfaction the appointment I accepted with diffidence – a diffidence in my abilities to accomplish so arduous a task, which, however, was superseded by a confidence in the rectitude of our cause, the support of the supreme power of the Union, and the patronage of Heaven.” After other remarks he handed his commission to the President, who received it and made an eloquent reply.

After his resignation General WASHINGTON set out for Mount Vernon, All the way from Annapolis, as it indeed it had been from New York, his progress was a triumphal march. …

[The newspaper explained that the image of General Washington was from a painting by Charles Peale Polk. It then presented a detailed history of how the painting came to be in the possession of Lucy Bakewell Audubon, the widow of naturalist John J. Audubon.]

… Every thing relating to WASHINGTON is held in such reverence by mankind that it is an event to present an original picture, which, after a lapse of nearly ninety years, dating from its production, is brought from the seclusion of private life and given to the world.

I’m not an art historian, but I’m not sure the portrait Harper’s reproduced is supposed to be General Washington at Valley Forge. The Metropolitan Museum of Art has a similar portrait said to be by Charles Peale Polk. If you visit Mount Vernon you can see a painting by Mr. Polk, “Washington at Princeton” that looks similar to but not exactly like the image on the Harper’s cover. There might be more research possible at Google.

According to the Times, General Grant declined to speak on the 22nd because he couldn’t be heard by the large crowd. I wonder if he realized in about ten days he was scheduled to speak to possibly even more people for his inauguration speech. The cartoon of the rather hirsute baby Grant comes from an issue of Harper’s Weekly way back on February 15, 1868 at the Internet Archive. Politicians probably thought Grant would be a candidate. Could they influence his policies? After the Republican party nominated him, the general was still relatively laconic as shown by the Republican Chart for 1868. His acceptance letter was about a third the length of his running mate Schuyler Colfax’s.

at the Met

commemorating Washington, 1784

terser at the top of ticket

The Times description of Washington’s Birthday in New York City reminded me of Monday holidays nowadays.

GW wouldn’t be king … or military dictator

Abraham, Ulysses, and George

You can find all the material from Harper’s Weekly at the Internet Archive – 1868 and 1869. I got John Trumbull’s painting from Wikipedia. From the Library of Congress: Captain General; November 25, 1783 in New York City; GW medallion; Republican chart for 1868; Puck from September 21, 1904; the three Unionists. You can read an account of George Washington refusing the kingship at HowStuffWorks.

John Trumbull’s original now at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda