Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-03-05

desk, and sat there facing the audience, es
hibiting his usual self.possessd and unassum
ing demeanor.
Members of the house Of Representatives
headed by Speaker Blaine, occupied seats il
the rear Of the diplomatic body Mr.. Sum
ner was mufled like an invalid, but appeared
unexpectedly well.
After the organization of the new senate
all the senators and others present proceeded
to participate in the inaugural ceremonies
On reaching the portico, which was hand
somely decorated with flags, the president
elect took the seat provided for him directly
IN front Of the centre. Vice president Col.
lax and the sergeant at arms in charge of the
ceremonies sitting on the right, and Chief
Justice Chase Of the supreme court on his
lett. The senate committee Of arrangements
were near at hand and next in the rear. The
associate justices Of the supreme court occu-
pied-seats on the left, and members and the
secretary of the senate on the right. The di.
plomatic corps were to have occupied seats in
the rear of the supreme court, but many of
them were not sufficiently alert to prevent be-
ing crowded into the background by members
OF the house of representatives and others.
The GOODNESS of the weather had the effect
OF making the number of spectators in the
capital grounds opposite and the streets ad-
joining less numerous to-day than on most
similar occasions heretofore, but many thou.
sands were assembled to witness the ceremo.
MES.
But good order was preserved. Near Gen.
Grant ON the platform sat Mrs. Grant, &C.
companied by several of their children, the
Presidents brother, Orville Grant, and Mrs.
Sharp, and several other relatives of the
family. The appearance of the President
was greeted with enthusiastic cheers, and
with bursts of music from the bands of all
the various civil and military organizations
which were drawn up in line of battle and
filled the wide space in front and extending
the entire length of the capitol. The noise
Of greeting was hushed as the President elect
and Chief Justice of the United States rose
simultaneously, and the latter commenced to
recite the formula of the Presidents oath. Of
office, which Gen. Grant took with head un.
covered, and resumed his seat for few mo.
ments, while the boom of cannon, the rim aging
OF bells and the shouts Of the vast multitude.
burst forth with deafening sounds. Cheer
after cheer went up with volnme o! tone
which almost rendered inaudible the reports
Of the cannon. Partial quiet having been re-
stored, the President then arose. and although
the Annapolis naval cadets at the extreme
right Of the line commenced at this momen.
to fire. another salute, and certain irrepres.
sible firemen at q distance continued to Tina
their bells, he proceeded to read his Inaugural
address. (Sea address en- second page.
His voice was not audible except to persons
on or near the platform, and consequent,
there were no manifestations of applause dur
ing its delivery, which occupied less than ter
minutes. At the conclusion Of the address
the President was warmly congratulated by
his friends, and soon after left in his carriage
for the White House, escorted by the process
sion, which had reformed and taken up the
line OF march. Most of the outside GROVE
followed in the same direction, and the rest
dispersed to their homes. The Senate re.
turned to its chamber, and the inauguration
ceremonies at the capito! were conclnded.