The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1873-03-25
For the Register.
From the Quaker City.
A TRIP TO WASHINGTON.
PHILADELPHIA. March. 18th 1879.

PHILADELPHIA, March, 18th 1873.
Mr. EDrroR Inauguration day, and
such day. The chill Of Greenlands
icebergs, were SO swiftly waited on the
wings Of old Boreas, that it was univer-
sally conceded, that his "highness" was
on a rampage and had verify again turn
ed the "cold shoulder" as if to interrupt,
or resist the oblique rays of old sol, who
seemed to be struggling for the mastery,
but signally failed; as the bright rays Of
that luminary, did not seem in the least
degree Of warmth to the frozen earth, or
even to animate creation. Learning by
the public prints, that vast numbers were
going from the city, to attend the cere-
monies incident to the Inauguration of the
President elect, caught the spirit and
went. Took the through New York and
Washington express, at Broad and Prime
streets, at ll.30 night, distance one hun d.
dred forty miles, time five and half
hours, fare $3.50. 1t was bitter cold
night, the ponderous train was filled to
repletion the passengers whiled away
the time by their animated conversation,
intersperscd with jokes and repartees.
Owing to an unaccountable delay at Bal
timore. the train did not arrive at Wash
iDgton, until nearly seven o'clock a. m.,
After being in near proximity to a man.
moth red hot stove in the station, for an
hour, the multitude gradually disappear
ed. After breakfasting, took up my line
Of march for the Capitol, and found large
numbers already congregated. Soon the
huge building was thrown open, and near
ly all avaied themselves of the shelter,
and protection afforded from the piercing
north wind, After exploring the great
building awhile, learned the House of
Representatives were in session; entered
the spacious hall, and looked over tha.unf.
9bis' Jhr no admission, as that august
body were in executive session. With an
extemporized acquaintance from New
York, we proceeded down Pennsylvania
avenue. When about two thirds distance
towards the "White House," heard the
enlivening strains Of music through the
crisp, blowing, and tangled atmosphere,
and saw clouds of dust careering through
the air. Then appeared the skirmish, or
pioneer line Of the great advancing mill
tary cortege. First company of caval-
ry, then the elegantly attired, and precise
marching West Point Cadets, headed by
the Naval Academy Band from Aunapo-
lis. Space will not allow Of describing
the various battallons and regiments in
detail. There were about 10000 of tho
military in line, and upwards of forty
bands, and generally from twenty to forty
pieces each. Among them were the
famed McClurgs Liberty Cornet Band Of
this city, and Dodworths full band from
New York The Presidential barouchc
was in the third division, having as ar
escort or guard of honor, the iamou:
Philadelphia city troupe,a military oagan
ization older than the government, havin4
been organized in l774. l am informed
it numbers in its ranks, many Of the
wealthiest men in town The President
elect accompanied by committee of thl
Senate, consisting Of Senator's Logan
Cragn and Bayard, occupied an oper
barouche, drawn By two spans Of closely
clipped, light stepping, mouse colorec
horses. Any pleasant day, scores Of turn
outs may be seen in the streets Of Phila
delphia, that would exceed that, in style
and equppage but it was good enougl
for good Democratic Republican Presi
dent to ride in, and well comported witt
the plain, and unostentatiols habits 0
the chief magistrate. Among the notabl
military organizations in line, may b
named the Boston Lancers, Sumner Corp
of Syracuse, Burgess Corps of Albany
West Point Cadets, State Fencibles, an'
Washington Grays of Philadelphia, Oh
Guard of New York, Monumental Gray
Of Baltimore, etc. Arriving at the Capi
tol, the government officers, foreign min
isters, and distinguished civic officers, as
sembled in the Senate chamber. la abou
half an hour, they filed out of the eas
main entrance OF the Capitol, and dc
scended dozen marble steps, and step
ped upon large platform, directly i
front OF the 7ortico, capable Of holdin
two thousand persons. The venerabl
Chief Justice Chase, administered tn
oath of offices. The President then ad
vanced to the railing Of the stage, an
with uncovered head, read his inaugura
address. The whirling and jerking win
caused his manuscript to hutter and crir
kle, but he grasped it tighter and sti
closer, until he mastered it as he did tn
rebels aloretime At The conclusion c
his address, the Presidential party return
ed to the White House. In the pre-
gramme, the military were to be reviewe
by the President, from a large covere
platform, on Pennsylvania avenue, i
front of the grounds of the White Hous,
Gen. Sherman, Gen. Sheridan, and othC
distinguished military officers being o
the platform. The President and su
arrived and took seats on the platform
Although the cold was intense, an in
mcnse crowd collected; the dfferer
bands performed spirited airs, as the
marched at the head of their respectiy
companies. The long columns Of artiller
foot and mounted, infantry and cavalrl
the midshipmen drawing howitzers, tt
Lancers with their guidons and brillial
uniforms, the volunteer cavalry, and tt
big bear skin grenadier hats, OF the Blu
, CESS and Sumner corps, presented mil
tary panorama. that will not soon be fol
, gotten. In the evening calcium an
, drummond lights, along the broad al
/ beautiful Pennsylvania avenue, filled
D with food of light. Ascending rocke
of various hues, cut thin graceful curv
through the frosty air, in different par
/ of the city and most gorgeous fire work
r were blazing in the Capitol ground, al
also in front of the Presidential mansio
There was also an Inauguration ball, in
spacious bu ling in Judiciary square, .
;, temporized for the purpose ; it was sa
. . to have been a recherche, and brilliant I