Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-03-10
The Inauguration.

WAamNGroN March 4.
Although the day opened with rain, il did not
deter the tens Of thousands who had 1ocked to .
Washington TO witness the Inauguration from .
proceeding at an early hour to the streets where .
the procession was to pass Twenty five thousand
people were estimated to be on Pennsylvania |
Avenue alone, and three times as many more ON
the other streets
Almost exactly at ~ O'Clock Gen Grant and
Mr. Colmx entered the Senate Chamber side By
side, escorted by Senator'S McCrecry and Cmgin.
Gen Grant and his escort took seats in front OF
the Journal Clerk Of the Senate Mr.. Cofax
advanced to the presiding officer Mr.. Wade then
said d" The Vice President of the United States
will advance to be inaugunted.' Mr.. Colax
stepped to the desk and spoke as follows
SENATORS In entering upon the duties Of the
Chamber, TO the performance Of which have been
called by the people of the United States, real
ize fully the decacy, as well MS the responsibility
Of the position OF presiding over body, whose
members are in 50 large degree my seniors in
age, and not chosen by that body itself, shall
certainly need the assistance Of your support, and
your generous lorbeamnce and confidence but ten
derng to you faithful and mlexibe impartiality
in the administration of your rules, and being
determined to cooperate with you in making the
deliberations OF the Senate worthy not only Of its
historic rcnown, but also of its Importance as a
part Of the government, am now ready to take
the oath.
The oath was then administered to Mr.. Coiax
by Mr.. Wade, who Immediately declared the
Fortieth Congress adjourned, sine dc.
Mr. Colax then called the Senate to order and
announced that the Senators elect would be sworn
in Their names were called and they advanced
four ut a time and took the oath.
W hen this was done the Sergeant-at-Arms an
nounced the order Of proceeding to the platform
East Of the rotunda. The immense crowd at the
same time made a rush and the Halls were for a
few minutes in inextrcable confusion. A few
minutes after Gen. Grant had disappeared from
the Chamber, the immense cheers from without
announced his appearance, and almost Immediate
ly the thunder Of cannon striking the solid mar
bic of the capital announced that he had comenc-
ed delivering his inaugural.
After arriving on the platform and getting ar
ranged Gen. Grant stepped forward and com
menced the Inaugural At this moment bells
throughout the city commenced ringing, while
his voice was prevented from being heard by the
assembly by the constant roar of artillery.
The reading of the Inaugural occupied about
10 minutes, and its sentiments were frequently
applauded by members and those fortunate enough
to sit on the platform. Upon Gen Grants
concluding, he was warmly congratulated first by
Chief Justice Chase, then by Senator's and others
present.
There is II great deal Of talk at the refusal Of
: President johnson to participate in the ceremo-
MES or to go to the Capitol and witness them
and his friends say they can give no explanation
General Grant at once withdrew into the Capito
and then went out at the private enteronce witt
Senator Ciugin and took a carnage and drove home
The Senate re-aSsembled and then adjourned til
tomorrow without doing any business.