Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1869-03-09
GEN. GRANTS INAUGURATION.
Scenes and Lcide"h-Hs Inaugural Ad-
- dress. dc.

TIE Inauguration of General u. S. GRANT
as President of the United States, came off
in the city of Washington on Thursday last.
It was doubtless an immense gathering
white spirits and black, being present in about
equal proportions--and that by Thousands
The day was gloomy, though the proceedings
are represented to have been conducted with
great pomp and circumstance. We append
few of the incidents Of the day; as we'll as
the Inaugural Of the new President:
ICorrespo ndcnce OF the Baltimore Gazette.l
WAsA1NGroN, March I, 1869.
OF course everybody was sadly grieved
this morning Ut tine falling rain aud muddy
streets The Unprecedented crowd OF visitors
had their high spirits checked aud their fond
hops dashed when it was discovered that an
unexpected change in the weather would in
Il great degree mar the programme and render
the outdoor exercises exceedingly unpleasant.
That the crowd in attendance On the inaugu-
ration to day was unprecedented, is admitted
by all
The inaugural procession came of at the
appointed hour, but it was Il most slim aud
be~.mly affair. being far inferior, in every
re<l,ect, to former professions on similar oc-
casiuns The only marked characteristic it
lad was the cOl0.cd element. which constltu.
ted uuitc one half of the whole struggling
line
The sidewalks along Pennsylvania avenue
through which the procession was t" move
presented solid walls OF humanity, well ce-
mentrd with mud.
At an early hour the crowd moved towards
the Executive Mansion, curious to wtness
what might tranSpirc there. but it was soon
ascertained that President johnson would not
inin in the cerennrries, aud the White House
was left in quiet and gloom. 1t was then,
with the crowd, '."n +" headGuarters;' aud
quickly every nook and corner the june
ton Of Seventeenth and q streets was packed.
those who could do 50 seeking shelter from
the film. rain
Soon after the General had attended to
his last official business rs General com.
mandng the armies" the Vice President
elect arrived and arrangements were made for
the procession to- move. Tie band struck up
Hail to the Chief" and the procession NOV
ed IF. AS the President elect passed along
the avenue lie frequently responded to the
waving of handkerchieis by lifting his hat
"a regular st"vepipe) aud slightly bowling.
Meanwhile the impatient crowd thr"nging
the East grounds of the Cnpit" were cngcrly
awaiting the opening of the main donr to the
Senate. AT l | so this door was thrown wide
upon its hinges, and then began a fearful
struggle for precedence OF entrance. The
police was of no avail
The proceedings within the Capitol we're Of
a routine character, and without incident of
any kind to distinguish them from previous
proceedings Of similar nature. The Pres
dent and Vice President elect were both re-
narkabIy calm aud self possessed during the
ceremony Of being sworn into their new official
positions.
After the delivery Of his inaugural address
which was read from written sps-the new
President was congratulated by Chief Justice
Chase. when he proceeded to the Executive
Mansion. where he received the congratu-
lations of the masses. who pressed forward to
shake him by the hand. Il.