Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-03-11
INAUGURATION OF JAMES BUCHANAN,
FIFTEENTH PRESIDENT OF THE US.
HIS INAUGURAL ADDRESS

sion of James Buchanan, to the Presidency of
the United States.
The city has been filling up with strangers
from all parts of the Union for a week or two,
and yesterday and this morning, many thou
sands arrived by the trains and steamboats,
Last night, there were thousands who encafnp-
ed in parlors, dining-reOms and other apart.
ments, the sleeping-rooms of the public and
private houses being totally unequal to the ac-
commodation of the vast multitude. The e.
vent of the night was the Democratic Inaugu-
ration Ball, given by the Twelfth Ward DEM
Focratic Association of Philadelphia. 1t took
place at Carusi's saloon. The tickets were
five dollars, and the proceeds were for the ben
eft of the poor of Washington city. A large
miscellaneous company was present, and the
President and Vice President elect were pres
ent for a short time, being received with ac-
clamations on their arrival. There were, in
the course of the evening, salutes fired, rock
cts discharged, and various other demonstra-
tions in view of the coming event
The city woke early this morning, being a
reused by new salutes and the ringing of bells.
The streets were soon alive with moving null
titudes. Pennsylvania Avenue presented
most animated appearance. Flags waved from
all the hotels and public buildings and from
many private houses. The movements of mil
itary companies, preparing to take their places
in the line of procession, gave a peculiarly
lively character TO the scene. Altogether the
| volunteers in the city taking part in the cere
monies numbered not less than thousand rank
and file. There wore also detachments of u.
s. Light Artillery from Fort McHenry, and
| corps of some three hundred q. S. Marines
They were all under the command of General
John A. Quitman.
The streets were further enivenod by the
| rapid movements of the Marshals and their
deputies. These numbered altogether nearly
two hundred men from all parts of the Union.
The marshal-in-chief and aids were designated
by yellow scarfs, with white rosettes, and blue
saddle cloths, with gilt edging. The marshals
were designated by blue scarfs and white ro-
settles, and white saddle covers trimmed with
blue. And they carried baton two feet long,
of blue color, with gilt ends about two inches
deep. The assistant marshals wore pink scarfs
with white rosettes, white saddle covers trim
med with pink. They also carried white bat
ons two feet long, with pink ENDS two inches
deep.
The Fire Companies and the various polti-
cal and civic societies were also early in mo-
tion, preparing to take their places in the line
of procession. Towards nine O'Clock they
and the military all began to form in process
sion on New York Avenue, the right consist
ing of the military, resting on 18th street.
| This is close to the Presidents House and the
| pubic Departments. There was necessarily a
good deal of confusion and delay in forming
into line; but the procession got into motion
about II O'Clock and advanced down Pennsvl-
! vania Avenue. Its appearance, as popular
| demonstration, was very fine, and the masses
/ of people in the Avenue cheercd frequently
as it passed.
On reaching the National Hotel there was a
halt, and after short delay an elegant ba-
rouche, drawn by four horses, containing the
President and the President elect, Joined the
procession, Immediately in the rear of the mil
itary. The Vice President elect was also in
an open carriage, with several other gentle
men, and the two carriages were surrounded
by the Keystone Club, preceded by the militia
ry and representation by lady dressed as the
| Goddess of Liberty on high platform drawn
| by six horses, followed by a miniature ship-of-
war of considerable size, made by the mechan-
les of the Washington Navy Yard. The pro-
cession then moved on in the order agreed up
on. As the head of the column reached the
north gate of the Capitol, at about l O'Clock,
it halted, and the military opened ranks, facing
| inwards and presenting arms, forming what the
| French call 'shaie,'' or double line of SOL
diers, through which the carriage with the
| President and President eject drove to the
by the Committee of the Senate appointed for
the purpose. They were escorted to the north
| door of the Capitol, and then to the Vice Pre-
sident's room.
The Senate met at II o'clock. On the an
| nouncement of the arrival of the President
and President elect, all rose to their feet. The
President and President elect took thesplace
| assigned to them, and in few minutes, all be-
ing prepared, the venerable Roger B. Taney,
| Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the u
nited States, advanced with the Holy Bible in
his hand. The President elect rose, and then
| took the oath of office, as follows =
ssl do solemnly swear that l will faithfully
| execute the Office of President of the United
States and will, TO the best of my ability, pre-
serve, protect and defend the Constitution of
| the United States"
Those in the Senate Chamber then formed a
line and proceeded to the eastern poltico of
the capitol. A very spacious platform was c.
| rected on the portico, on which places were as