Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-03-04
VICE PRESIDENT WILSON'S ADDRESS.
THE INAUGURATION BALL
SCENES AND INCIDENTS ABOUT roxx.


Trains crowded to their utmost capacity had i.
for days past, family Swallowed forth what we
might expect in point of numerical attendance
TO the ceremonies and festivities attending the
Inauguration of the second term of President
Grant; but we arc constrained to confess that
We were not prepared for the display Witnessed
to-day. Such whole sOuled, simultaneous
outburst OF patriotism-for we can find no more
Citing word;-such popular and heartfelt de-
monstratiOns of JOY and sympathy, are too pre-
cious TO be lost sight of even amidst the excite
ment and display incident to the occasion. We
hail them as sincere and good augurs of the fu-
ture, and ascribe to them not little of the
pleasure We experience in recording the events
OF to-day, as tar as yet transpired.
STREET SCENES.
notwithstanding the visitation of a polar
wave, which brought an unreasonable low tenn
perature and a bitter wind. the 9TH OF
March broke forth upon a city in hol-
iday attire. From early morn the streets were
crowded with pedestrians, transient guests cha
peTODed by their resident friends; and be yies OF
young ladies added brightness to our principal
thoroughfares. The crimson and blue uniforms
OF visiting military organi zations, which
swarmed the halls and corridors of all our pub
lie buildings Yesterday, enlvened the PRONE
nadcs, and the august halls OF the Cant
tol, even by their presence, appeared to-day in
different role: as part and parcel of the grand
procession OF honor which escorted the Presi-
dent to the Capitol. Which such a guard, pride
would. indeed, be pardonable offence. Here
they were, from all parts of our Union, North
and South alike, united in doing honor to the
occasion, and forming by Joint efforts such a
spectacle as will stand forever bright in the
memory of those who witnessed it.
Aside from the political significance of the
just at this period, many strangers should
visit our city. IL cannot fail that they will give
Washington its due, and return home with the
conviction that the national capital Is
NOT THE sTRAGGLINs VILLAGE
OF mudhole they have been made to believe; but
rapidly progressing and prosperous city and rich
in those choicest jewels of municipal existence:
fine thoroughfares. a progressive spirit, and
better than all, unbOunded hospitality. 1t was
curious to observe, Yesterday, the wandering
look with which many Of the strangers who
visited our city for the first time beheld the
grand public edhees, OF whose real proportions
and significance they had previously had but
faint conception. Scarcely less amusing was it
to listen to the various comments and opinions
expressed by some of our country cousins to-
day, which eliminated when the momentous
time arrived, when the araat gardc of the pro-
cessiOn came within sight Of our said rural rela-
tioDs. What "Oh's" and "Ah's" there then
were, it is impossible to describe These excla-
NATIONS OF admiration viii probably only be
excelled tonight
WHEN THE FIgEwoRKs COME OFF;
for it is supposed that those who witness the
ball will, as rule, be of too houf ton an order
of society to indulge in emotional manifestations
OF this character.
The Decorations.
In order to get a correct idea and estimate of
the preparations which had been made, so far
as the decoration of the avenue is concerned,
reporter OF THE STAR set out this morning, be-
fore the procession was due, on
A GENERAL SURVEYING EXPEDITION
commencing at 18th street, and taking i'm the
entire line OF march down to the Capitol. Close
as it then was upon the momentous hour some
OF the decorations had not vet been flushed
though all were sanguine of having them in
readiness in time for the procession.
Spanning the avenue nearly opposite the Ex-
ecutive mansion, was the first triumphal arch,
formed by days and streamers, of all nationali-
Probabilities had had hand in this to iudse
from the number of very pretty, by the way.)
signal flags and streamerS which entered into
its composition. stand, handsomely decorated
with bunting and flowers, has also been erected
Just opposite the White House, from which the
President, with family and friends, reviewed the
troops to-day, and will witness the maneuyer,
Of ME West Point Cadets and other military
ward 18th street the solemn looking rear OF the
Treasury department presented, compare
lively, a cheerful appearance, decorated.
as IL was, with bunting and garlands.
The establishment OF the Boston Journal, on
the corner of 18th street and the Avenue, under
the management OF Major Ben Periey P0ore,
had been turned into an immense temporary
observatory, upon which were accommodated
the friends and acquaintances of fine hospira.,
Sie anu oongin2 Major. A hard task it must
nave peen to get up on top OF his establishment
10 yuage from the gh-and-ready ladder
which seemed 10 be the only of access to his
accommodating root. just opposite his esta blish-
ment was the fifth triumphal arch; and passinr
down the Avenue, looking to the right and left.
10 Of han
wiliiard,s hotel demanded attention. Flags
and wreaths Of flowers denoted that "Ne,S
paper Row. and "The Ebbitt," did not intend
to be left s'oatin the cold" indeed, the decor
were among the most tasteful OF all those that
came under our observation. 5 tssl
Old Boreas played right merrily with the
decorations all along the line of march; and the
fierce and ley gusts Of wind which swept up the
avenue must hare been
KxCEEDINeLY TRYING 81
to the ropes and braces decked with aags and
spanning the avenue at various points. On ac-
count of the extreme fereefiess of the hurri-
cane, quite a number OF plans regarding the
decoration OF the avenue were not carried out,
and many were not finished ~ originally con-
The southwest corner OF the avenue and
Fourteenth street, and, indeed, nearly all the
private houses on the north side of the
avenue, from Fourteenth street down to Thir-
teenth, were most tastefully decorated. The
IMPERIAL HOTEL
was garnished with iags and eyergreens; and
the Republican, building, across the way,
doomed proudly up amidst mass of dags and
stseamers. almost completely covering it broad
front. Galt's presented Q magnificent appear
ance, and those popular establishments, Oyster
Ray and the Chesapeake, fully equal to the
occasion, appeared In an the glory Of banners
and flags Of al sorts and si.es, set OF with gar
lands and wresths innumerable.
nxv
even the unfinished Vernon Row made an
ATTEMPT at display; and this portion Of the