Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-03-05

was everything arranged, that there was
no confusion, no jostling, no i'll humor
among the large mass present. In the gal
leries the ladies had entire possession.
At the appointed moment the Justices of
the Supreme Court and the Diplomatic Corps
entered the chamber, with other persons of
distinction. We noticed among them Gen.
Winfield Scott, United States Army.
Preliminary to the entrance of the Presi-
dent elect. the newly-chosen Senators, rep
resenting fifteen different States, were sworn
in. The oath of Office was administered by
Hon. Lewis Cass, the senior Senator present.
An appropriate prayer had been offered,
Mr.. Atchison had been re- chosen President
of the Senate, and replied with a brief ad-
dress to the Senators comforting the high
distinction upon him; and now the moment
OF the expected approach of the lew Chief
Magistrate had arrived 1t was moment
of thrilling interest. The Representatives
and Senators of the people Of this great Re-
public, the officers of the Supreme Court;
and the diplomatic corps from foreign ma
tons were all present.
Music from without proclaimed the APP
proach Of the President elect; and in few
moments he entered the Senate chamber,
preceded by the simple announcement of the
ergeant-at-Arms. Leaning on the arm of
ex-President Fillmore, and accompanied by
no parade, having with him his selected
constitutional advisers and his private Sec
rotary, General Pierce walked to the chair
assigned him at the foot of the desk of the
President of the Senate. This brief intro
duction being over, he proceeded with his
associates to the front portico of the Capitol.
And here was presented scene which those
who witnessed it will never forget. Before.
in that procession, in that Senate chamber.
we had seen the living illustration of the
principles of the people in the person of
their elected chief ruler. But here, in the
area of the Capitol of the Republic, we be-
held the people themselves. Without show.
without parade, save to effect the mere
organization necessary to order, without
guards, or heralds, or penNons, twenty
thousand American freemen had assembled
In front of their own houses of Congress to
witness the Inauguration of the fourteenth
President of the United States.
The area, from one gate to the other, was
nearly all densely packed with this mass of
citizens. The Platform required by the
authorities, the steps above, the roof of the
portico over head, the windows around,
were all occupied with the members of this
confederacy of States, now spreading from
the lakes to the gulf, and from sea to sea.
The winds of March blew upon us. The
snow fell in rapid fakes around us. There
was no outward pomp or display to attract
Or charm; but there, in that open space,
before that cloudy sky, stock forth the man
whom the people had called to the presiden-
cy, and solemnly, and reverntly, and meek
ly, he took the oath of his high office, and
bowed with all the rest, before the supreme
majesty of the law.
FRANKLIN PIERCE was proclaimed the
constitutional President of the United
States
From the aspect of General Pierce, as
seen at his private quarters, it was feared
by some of his associates that his strength
might not be equal to the task. But the
first cleas strong, manly notes of his voice
at once dspelled every such fear to the winds.