The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1869-03-19
Military Exclrsiyeness.

Military Exciusivcness.
There comes from Washington general
grenl as TO the military exclusiyepess OF
seems that GRANT and CoLFAX were es-
corted TO the capitol BY the military, and
but the favored lew civilians could get near
enough to see or even guess at what Was
gong on. Thus We see that democratic in-
stitutions are fast disappearing frcm view
and instead we have the military pomp and
pride that characterize the monarchies of
the world. 1t was once our boast that We
lived in Republic where the people were
supreme over the military. and where this
branch of our government was hardly seen
at any public ceremony: but now all Is
changed and the citizen must stand aside
for the epau,etts and bayonets to enjoy the
feast.
A correspondent of the radical Wisconsin,
writing from Washington, in disgust, evi>
IDENTIFY because be was not one of the favor.
ed few, says:
The admission into the Senate Chamber
to witness the administration of the oath to
the Vice President was ticketed away to
selected persons days ago This ticket ar
rangenent is the bane of all great public
doings here, of all college commencement.
&c. Those who had tickets to H.: Senate
Chamber we're also given tie Eligible posi-
tiOns to see the installation, if | NAV so
term it, of the President, on the platform
built out from the steps east OF the rotun-
da.
The military and partially civic process
sion which was formed in the forenoon was
magnificent affair. Ii extended from the
treasury building down Pennsylvania ave
nue. to the Capitol, one mile, and how
much further do not know. The entire
space east OF the Capitol 10 Capitol Square,
some twenty rods wide and the entire
length of the Capitol, was kept open by a
guard OF soldiers until The m iitary In the
procession came up and then it was uccu
pied entirely by the military. So that, the
people, the source OF authority In this
country, we're not nearer than twenty rods
to their President, and to them the cere>
monies on the stand were q mere panto-
mime in the distance. They could barely
See the motions of Gen. Grant and Chief
u uotiSC ''uaSC- Jul Cbuiu not near one
word, and so IL reading the address IT wa.
read to the soldiery, not to the people
This was the fault of those who made the
arrangements. not of Gen. Grant, not of
the people, for they had nothing to do
with it. 1t has no significance more than
this: that II presented. as near as ne can
Imagine, an exact simitude to the scene
that secnnd Napoleon would present in
tramping down the liberties OF the people
aud camrcrlng up by uSurpation and the
encroachments Of military power to the
crown. He would be surrounded by the
civil officers OF state who FILTERED the
treachery and the treason which had ele>
waited him, anu then it would come the sol
dlery, and the people would stand off in
the distance. l have such All instructive
hatred OF arbitrary power, that can t even
endure its sembance or mere vestige
God grant that such a scene as | saw to-
day may never be presented as the real
manifestation OF the usurpailon of the lib-
ertles Of The people III this country. Let
the people be recognized and honored be
tore any class of men. Let Us not elevate
arbitrary authority, even in pantomlme
Before the inaugural address had been
read by the President, tn. people way out
IN the public square IN front of him had
separated and gone, and 1t was a Ia! ural re
suit OF the programme made out by some
committee, Who did not IN this lhlug
evihce good sen,e, self respect or dae re-
srect Tor The people