Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1849-03-14
THE INAUGURATION.

Union, LOT the purpose Oh Witnessing the interesting
ceremony, is supposed TO have been much larger
than was ever before collected in Washington. The
weather was, upon the whole, though the sky was
clouded, pleasant could have been looked for
in this particular season Of the year. At the break
of day the strains Of martial music resounded along
the principal avenues Of the city, aud hundreds Of
star spangled banners Of every fabric and dimen-
city then rang out stirring peal, and long before
the usual breakfast hour the People were vending
their way in immense masses TO the Capitol
THE SAbUTATION.
AT nine O'Clock one hundred gentlemen, who Of
fcated as Marslals, mounted their horses in front
Of the City Hall and proceeded n body TO Will
lard's Hotel, for the purpose paying their respects
TO Gen. TAYLOR. Having been escorted to the
long Upper Hall Of the Hotel aud arranged them
selves in line, the President Elect made his ap-
pearance, leaning upon the arm Of the Mayor of the
city, and proceeded 10 shake the hands Of the gen
temen present, as return for their polite sajuta-
ton. The General was dressed in plain suit of
black and he appeared to be in the enjoy of his
usual good health. After the above ceremony was
cial duties, and Gen. TAYLOR returned to his own
apartment fol- the purpose of preparing himself for
THE PROCESSION.
At halfpast eleven O'Clock the Procession lookup
its line of march. All the arrangements were car
ried out according to the programme already publish
ed The several military companies, Of which We
counted dozen, presented an imposing aud beaut-
full appearance; and as the procession moved along
Pennsylvania avenue towards the Capitol many
bands Of music poured forth variety onartial airs
The carriage in which the President Elect was es-
corted was drawn by four handsome grey horses and
protected from the pressure Of the multitude by the
cavalcade Of the hundred marshals already mention
ed. The gentlemen who accompanied Gen. TAY-
LoR in his carriage were The Speaker of the late
tf Ranr ptott, no xcl ~
lngton. According to previous arrangement, how
ever, when the Generals carriage arrived in front
OF the irving Hotel, where EX-Presidert Polk is
soourning, the procession halted, and Mr.. Polk
was handed into the carriage, and seat awarded
TO him on the right of the President elect who
shook his predecessor cordially by the hand The
Appropriateness and delicacy of this movement was
duly appreciated by the multitude of people who
witnessed 1t and thereupon rang out spontaneously
nine long and loud huzzas.
The Procession resumed its 6narch. Both sides
OF pennsylvania avenue were thronged with human
beings, all the way from Willard's Hotel to the
Capitol grounds. Many of the roofs of the houses
Wee also covered, and every window wascomple,e-
ly blocked up with honas Old men and women
young men and maidens, and children too, Inv the
thousand, were seen In every direction, and the
cheers by which the excited multitude expressed
lheir sensatiens on the occasion were both hearty
and frequent. The time occupied by the process
sion IN reaching the east front Of the Capitol was
bout one hour; and, after the conclusion of the In
augural ceremonies, the booming of artillery resound
ed from one extremity Of the city to the ether
THE SCENE WITHIN THE CAPITOt.
The scene presented by the interior of the Sen
ate Chamber was highly impressive 1t would be
a'cui! IN TINS or any other country TO find SPOT
which included within the same SPACE more Of dis
tncllon, whether we attach to that term the mere
elevation OF place and Of position in human society
OF that truer elevation which is The preropatiye of
men born great by the gifts of God. Look which
way one would, there was food for the eye and for
the mind.
:, The chamber was filling fast with Senators. ex
senators and Members of tine other House, when
inc honr Oh eleven having arrived, loud rap was
heard' and the ceremonies Of the day commenced
ny very earnest and appropriate prayer delivered
by the Rev. Mr. Slicer, chaplain to the Senate.
On motion of Mr.. Davis, of Massachusetts. the
fion David IL, Atchson, Senator from Missouri,
was chosen President pro. tenn Of the Senate
wee President Dallas had for some time been
seen In the Chamber, easily designated by his snowy
halr and upright geniiemanly figure He occupied
seat IN front OF the Secretarys table, and facing
the seats OF the Senator's
Mr.. Dallas was observed TO retire; and, after a
oilei interval was seen re-entering the chamber in
company with the Vice President Elect. the Hon
Willard Fillmore. The future PRESIDING Officer of
the Senate took the vacant seat of his predecessor
where the oath of office was administered to him bv
Mr.. Atchison.
lhe Chamber sinking at once into profound still
mes, Mr. FILLMORE delivered with camness and dig
nifty the following brief address:
SENATORS: Never having been honored with a
seat on this floor, and having acted as the pre-
siding officer of any legislative body you will not
nouot my sincerity when assure YOU that assume
'he responsible duties of this chair with conscious
want OF experience, and just apprehension that I
shall often need your friendly SUGGESTIONS and more
often your ndulgent forbearance
should indeed feel oppressed and disheartened
aid l not recoilect that the Senate is composed of
eminent statesmen, equally distinguished for tteir
nigh intellectual endowmenis and their ameDity of
iiianhers-whose persuasive eloquence is so happily
tempered witt habual courtesy as to relieve your
presiding officer from all that would be painful in
the dscharge OF his duty and render his position as
agreeable as ii must be instructive.
:. Thus encouraged and sustained. enter unon the
duties assigned me firmly resolved to DISCHARGE them
WIKI mparuaiiy and to the best Of my ability but
shoud do injustice TO the grateful emotions of INV
own heait, m did not, this OCCASION express nv
warnest thanks for the distinguished honor confer
red upon me, in being called by the voice of the
Nation to preside over your deliberations.
II VIII not, ! trust, be deemed inappropriate to
Congratulate you upon the scene now passinp be-
fore us. ailude toit in partizan aspect but as
an overcoming event contemplated by the Con
stituoD. Compare the peaceful changes of Chief
Magistrates of this Republic with the recent san
culinary revolutions in Europe. There, the voice
of the people has only been heard amid the din of
arms and the horrors Of domestic conflicts but here
In our own favored land, under the guidance Of our
Constitution, the resistless will of the Nation has.
from time to time, been peacefully expressed by the
free suflrages of the People, and all have bowed in
obedient submission to their decree The Admin |
istration which but yesterday welded the des,inies
Of this great nation, oday quietly yields up its