Liberty Advocate

From the New York Commercial.

The Fiftieth Year.

The 4th day of March was the fiftieth anniversary of the United States, under the present constitution. Finding that the old articles of confederation were not strong enough to bind the States together, and, that when relieved from the external pressure of common danger, the binding force of those articles were little stronger than a rope of sand, the convention of 1787 was convoked by the patriotism of the country, and our present constitution was the result of their wisdom. During the year 1788. the States were engaged in discussing the new constitution, and proposing the amendments made conditions precedent to its adoption.- The consequence of delay was, that the constitution itself did not go into effect until the 4th of March, 1789. The semi-centennial anniversary of this event, came upon us on the 4th of March, and the event itself was celebrated at Washington on that day, by many distinguished gentlemen, Senators, Representatives and others, by a dinner; and appropriate toasts and speeches. Foremost and most eloquent among the speakers was the great defender of the Constitution, Daniel Webster.

But although the constitution became of full force and virtue on the 4th of March, 1789, the wheels of Government were not brought into full play until nearly two months afterward.-- The inference is, that in those days of pure patriotism, men were less greedy of office than at present. For although both houses of Congress attempted to assemble on the day prescribed by the new Constitution which was the 4th of March. yet a quorum of neither house appeared, and both houses were obliged to adjourn over from day to day, week after week. before either could be organized. Thrice did the attending members of the Senate address circulars to the absentees, urging them to come and take their seats. It was not, therefore. until the 1st of April, that a quorum appeared in the House of Representatives, and not until the 6th of that month, that by the arrival of Richard Henry Lee, of Virginia, that the Senate was enabled to organize and proceed to business. John Langdon was elected President of the Senate, pro tem., and Frederick Augustus Muhlenburg. Speaker of the House.

The first act of Congress was to count the votes for President and Vice President. Only ten States had then placed themselves within the pale of the Union by ratifying the Constitution. The whole number of votes given was sixty-nine, every one of which was spontaneously given to GEORGE WASHINGTON, for President. The vote for Vice President stood-for Jno. Adams 34, Jno. Jay 9, Robt H. Harrison 6. Jno. Rutledge 6,Jno. Hancock 4, Geo. Clinton 4, Saml. Huntington and Jno. Milton 2, each, and one each for Edward Telfair, James Armstrong, and Benj. Lincoln.

The result having been ascertained, Charles Thompson, the Secretary of the old Congress, was despatched to Mount Vernon, as a commissioner, to notify the chieftain of his election, and accompany him to New York, to enter upon the duties of his exalted station. His progress was one of triumph, his arrival in New York, on the 23d of April, was hailed with a degree of patriotic enthusiasm which has never been equalled since--and but one approached. That approach was made on the landing of La Fayette in the summer of 1824. The marshall who conducted the pageant of the day yet survives-General Morgan Lewis.

The inauguration of the President did not take place until the 30th of April. The Vice President, John Adams, had been inducted into office a few days before without public ceremony. But the inauguration of the beloved Father of his Country, was the occasion of an imposing pageant and solemn ceremony. The oath of office was administered upon the terrace in front of the ancient City Hall, at the head of Broad street, by Chancellor Livingston, dressed in a full suit of black. The Secretary of the Senate held the Bible upon a rich cushion of crimson velvet. The man on whom all eyes were turned, stretched forth his hand with simplicity and dignity. 'The oath was administered. 'The Bible was raised, and his head bowed upon it to kiss the sacred volume. The Chancellor then proclaimed it was done, in a full distinct voice, and in the following words:--"Long Live George Washington, President of the United States!" The silence of thousands was at an end-the air was rent with acclamations, dictated by reason, and bursting from the hearts and tongues of men who felt that the happiness of themselves, their posterity, was secure.

From this Hall, the President, Vice President, the members of both houses of Congress, and a large concourse of people proceeded to Trinity Church, where the august ceremonies of the day closed by a solemn religious service, conducted by Bishop Provost. Such is a bird's eye glance at the events of fifty years ago; and in view of the fact that the inauguration of the first President took place in this city, and that the wheels of the Government was first set in motion here, the New York Historical Society has over properly resolved to celebrate the day on which the crowning work was done by appropriate exercises and festivities. A committee has been appointed to procure the delivery of a discourse on the 30th of. April, inst. and to make such arrangements as may be judged expedient.