Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1869-03-11
THE INAUGURATION.
The weather-An Auspicious Omen.
The Procession to the Capitol.
flB VHIfE HOUSE Bllg KEFgSIS N SHsx lIISELf.
A GRAND OVATION.
The Delivery OF the Inaugural.
A GRAND OVATION.
The Delivery OF the Inaugural.
President Grants Inaugural.

WASHINGTON, D. c., March 4.
Amid ringing of bells, roaring of 81
tillery, and shouts from forty thousan
voices, General Grant to-day becam
President.
The weather looked dismal and Other
| wise than fiattering. At an early hou
| this morning a slight rain storm set il
and every one expected TO see it com
down in torrents before noon.
BY eight o'clock the regular militar
organizations and volunteer companie
from q distance began moving to tn
place where the procession was to form
At IL O'Clock almost simultaneous,
with General Grants emerging fren
army headquarters to take his place a
the head of the procession, seated in hi
carriage with General Rawlins, the rail
ceased, the clouds broke away and tn
sun shone brilliantly upon the dazzling
scene, as if Providence designed tina
nothing should mar the progress of tn
great military chieftain.
When the procession reached tn,
White House, a halt for several minute
was made, in order that Andrew John
son might take the place assigned him
but to the surprise If all, Democrats a
well as Republicans, message cam'
from him that he did not intend to par
ticipste, nor would he go to the Capito
to witness the ceremonies there.
AS the procession moved along the
route the enthusiasm of assembled thou
sands was unbounded as General Grant
was seen. In fact it was complete
ovation. From every house window
uandkerchiefs were waved by ladies'
while the male population cheered and
shouted until h0arseness came.
Gen. Grant sat in his carriage and re-
sponded to the cheers of welcome by
.,owing right and left and tipping his
hat.
: The procession is regarded by far the
iinest ever seen in the national capitol
and occupied nearly two hours in pass
ing a given point The volunteer SOL
diers marched with great precision and
regularity. and their fine appearance re-
ceived universal commendation. Nearly
every house on Pennsylvania avenue
was decorated with evergreens and the
national colors. Few persons would
have supposed that there was any rebel
'iemert in the city.
At the Capitol Gen. Grant proceeded
to the Senate Chamber,
by Vice President Colfax,
and witnessed the latter take the oath
of Office. A procession was then formed
md marched to the east front Of the
Capitol, where, after order had been re-
stored as far as possible, Chief Justice
Chase administered the oath of office
and President Grant stepped forward
md in a clear, loud voice, read his in
,ugural. 1t was frequently applauded,
ana once he had to suspend, owing to
he roar of artillery and the music from
I dozeE full bands. Upon concluding
he was warmly congratulated by those
near by, and then modestly withdrew
from the public gaze and quietly left the
capitol to drive to the White House and
take formal possession.
Upon the whole, the Inauguration
passed off satisfactory to all, and no dis
lurbances occurred during the entire
lay. The inaugural address is regarded
n Republican circles as being temperate
n tone, but firm in advocating the prin-
,iples of the great party which elected its
author. 1t meets with no words of dis
prevail from any Republican, and is ac
,epted as a sure indication that Grant
yhl be unyielding in those leading ideas
which he intends to make the promin-
mt features of his administration.
PROCEEDINGS IN THE SENATE.
The presiding officer having announ-
of the Vice President elect,
Mr.. Colfax advanced up the steps of the
and facing the presiding officer
ook the usual oath of Office which the
after administered in the morning to
he Senate. Mr.. Colfax delivered the
ollowing address which was listened to
With the deepest attention.
CoLFAx's SPEECH.
Senator's: In entering upon the duties
n this Chamber, to the performance of
which have been called by the people
f the United States, 1 realize fully the
elicacy as well as the responsibility of
he position, presiding over a body
Those members are in so large q degree
ny seniors in age. Not chosen by the
ody itself shall certainly need the as
istance of your support and your gen.
rous forbearsnce and confidence, but
Lodging to you all a faithful and infiex-
Die impartiality in the administration
f your rules, and earnestly desiring to
with you in making the de-
berations Of the Senate worthy ,not;only
1 It's historic renown, but also of those
tates whose commissions you hold. 1 |
m now ready to take the oath of office |
equired by law.
At the conclusion the senators came |
,rward as their names were called and |
,Ok the Senatorial oath of Office, which |
'as administered by the newly induct- !
Vice President. This over and the |
rganiZation of the new Senate having |
cen completed, it was announced that |
ne Senate, Supreme Court and invited |
)ectators would proceed to the east |
ortico of the Capitol to participate i'm
lie ceremonies of the Inauguration of
le President elect. A procession was
ants of the floor of the Senate proceed
/ through the corridors and rOtunda to
he place indicated in front of the porti-
}, but about ten feet lower, being on a
vel with the first landing place. On u
ight of marble steps there had been
platform capable of accom-
together with the steps, about
We or six hundred persons, it had
front which was covered
ith American flags and tastefully deco
tied with wreaths Of evergreen. The
atiOnal flag was also entwined with
vo of the columns supporting the ped
nent of the portico.
On reaching the platform the Presi-
,nt elect took a seat provided for him
rectly in front of the centre. Vice
resident Colfax and the Sergeant-at-
ms in charge of the ceremonies sitting
! his right and the Chief Justice of the
lpreme Court on his left. The Senate
of Arrangements were near
hand and next in the rear, the Associ-
g Justices of the Supreme Court oceu-
ed seats on the left, and the members
Id Secretary Of the Senate on the right.
he diplomatic corps were to have occu-
ed seats next in rear Of the Supreme
burt but were not sufficiently alert to
event themselves being crowded into
e back ground oy the members Of the
ouse Of Representatives and others,
no secured the foremost places remain
g. and left the diplomats to take their
lances with the officers Of the army
Id navy and others, on steps and perti-
q. where perhaps thew Jared better. be-