The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1869-03-11

ana as tncfe appeared 10 De no Iurti
er business to transact or no disposi
ticn TO do anything else, apparently
by common consent, the eSenators be
gan to chat WITH one another an,
change seats, and in a tcv minute
the desks on tho right hand side 0
the chamber were left vacant for th,
occupation of diplomatic corps anc
other invited guests who kept com
ing. The Diplomats, however, en-
tered in body. and attracted imme
diate attention by the splendor oI
their uniform and dignified bearing
All legations were represented, and
the ministers oi the principal, foreigl
nations were all present except Baron
Croft, of Prussia, who was detained
by sickness.
Among those present who were
particularly noticed was Edward
Thornton, Minister from England /;
NJ Bcrthney, French Minister; Che
Waller Cerrentti, Minister from Italy,
and Bincque Bey, the Turkish En-
bassador, who sat in the front line.
Behind the Ministers and charg-de
affairs were ranged large number of
Secretaries and attaches gorgeously
a.tired.
Soon afterwards the President aud
Vice President elect entered arm in
arm with Senators Cragin ard Nc
Creary, the Committee appointed to
escort tkorn to the Chamber, and al
most at tho same moment, and before
they had reached the opot space in
front of the Chair, the door at the main
entrance was thrown open and the
Justices Of the supreme court, headed
by Chief Justice Chase, clad in the
robes of office, entered the Senate
Chamber and walked in procession
down the centre aisfes and took seats
prepared for them in front Of the ros-
trum. President Grant had meantime
been conducted to the chair immedi-
ately in front ofthe Clerks desk, and
sat there facing the audience, the tar
get for several thousand eyes whose
gaze he eccnied neither to avoid nor
realize, but exhibited his usual self.
possession and unassuming de,Heanor
The seat to the left of that prepared
Tor Gen Grant was in readiness for
President johnson, but was unoccu-
pied.
Mr.. johnson was in the Capito oil this
a. M, and signed the bills that we're
sent him at the w hite House.
The presiding officer having an
nounced that all was in reaainess for
the inauguration Vice President Col
fax advanced up the steps of the ros-
trum and facing the presiding officer
took the official oath of officer, which
the latter administered. Turning to
the Senate Mr.. Colfa3 delivered the
following address which was listened
to with the deepest attention and
was distinctly andible to all:
SENAToRs:-In entering upon du-
ties in this Chamber, to the perform
ance of which l have been called by
the people of the United States, ] re-
alize fully the delicacy as well as the
responsibility of the position of presi-
ding over a body whose members are
in so large a degree my seniors in
age, and not being chosen by this
body itself, | shall certainly need the
assistance of your support and your
forbearance and confidence, but
pledging to you all faithful and in
flexible impartiality in the admins
tration of your rules; and earnestly
desire to co operate with you in ma
king the deliberations Of the Senate
worthy not only of its historic re-
nown. but also of the States whose
commissions You hold.
At the conclusion of this address
the Senator'S elect came forward as
their names were called and took the
Senatorial oath Of Office, which was
administered by the newly iuducted
Vice President. Two ofthe Senators
elect wepe not pecsent-Hamilton, OF
Md, and Brownlow, of Tenn.
The organization of the new Sena.
tors having been completed, it was
announced that the Senate, Supreme
Court, and invited spectators, would
proceed to the east portico Of the
Capitol and participate in the ceremo
nies of the inauguration. The process
sion accordingly formed, and the oc-
cupants Of the floor and Senate pro
ceeded to the place indicated, where
they took their places on the platform
which had been constructed, and up.
on the steps OF the platform which
had circular front, was decorated
with evergrcens, and tho columns
supporting the pcdiment ofthe porti
co were draped with the nationa
flag.
Near Gen Grant and little be-
hind him, sat Mrs Grant and hcl
children. her sister, Mrs Sharp, ano
Mrs Dent and her children.
When the shouts and bursts o
music from the bands subsidized, the
President elected and Chief Justic.
Chase rose simultaneously, aud tn,
latter recited in clear solemn tones
the Presidential oath of Office, whicl
Gen Grant reverentially took
The President then rose and pro
| ceeded to read from manuscript hi
Inaugural address. His voice wa
not audible to persons on or th'
front OF the platform, but at every
pause the satisfaction of those nea
was responded to by cheers ant
shouts from the crowd outside.
During the delivery of the addres
little Nellie Grant was lifted over tn
shoulders of the crowd and reache,
the side of her father where sh
stood some time unseen, when, how
ever, the incident called forth man,
expressions'of pleasure and admira
ton.
At the conclusion of the ad,res
the President was warmly congratu
lated by his friends, and soon aitc
lett in his carriage for the Whit
House.
The procession moved in the sam