The Van Buren press., 1873-03-18
Don Piatt Touches Up tho Inauguration
Ceremonies.
A Num0oas Criticism.

capitol. Inc Wlnu WAS bIOHIHp great
guns. and the harmony Of tho affair was
considerably marred by uDseemly runs
after military hats that would blow of,
or worse. tilt over the warlike counte
nances Of these heroic men. This was
varied by unruly starts of officers horses
that had tendency to stand on end
sometimes the forward and at other times
the hind end, and it was fun to the
thoughtless to see the warriors tumble,
especially if the victim came DOWN in sit
ting position and Immediately staggered
up, looking around in an attempted dig
nlied way, as if it did not hurt much.
We saw one very fat brigadier-general
roll off, and for second he presented a
confused mass Of patterns and military
clothes that required some care and effort
to shake up and set on end again. With
the exception Of tho cadets, the military
display was mainly made up of that war
like class known as
SOLDIERS IN PEACE AND CITIZENS IN WAR
One recognized the brave home guard.
Some confusion was caused by the caNal-
ry, and to bring order out Of that eonfu-
sion called for a display of the first mill
tary talent. The cavalry from distance,
such rs the Boston lanccrs and Philadcl
phia heavy Dragons, came, of
course, without their horses, suppOsing
them ever to have had any, and rs those
animals are somewhat scarce since the
epizooty, a demand was made upon the
several car companies for mount. As
the ears could not run during the pro
cession the demand was promptly met,
and the round shouldercd, toc-pointed
defenders of our country were set astride
with an ease and rapidity that does cred
it to the management But when the pro-
cession was fairly under way great diff
iiculty occurred. These horses, trained
10 the cars. missed the bits and the
brakes, and it was found almost impossi-
BILE to halt them, or, getting them halted,
to make start again. The confusion at
Thirteenth street came to be serious, and
it looked for while as if our beloved
president would not be sworn in for a
week The horses backed and bolted in
a most eXasperating manner, and when
the brave defenders put in their spurs the
animals went to kicking and plungng so
that it was difficult, extremely difficult,
for the brave defenders to keep their
seats. Added to this was
A GREAT LOSS OF WARLIKE DIGNITY.
For the poor animals, not being accus-
toned to being tickled by spurs in the
ribs. demonstrated with unseemlngly and
discordant noises, that made crowd in
clined to admire break into loud laugh.
ter and jccrs Indeed, the Africans pres
cnt, regardless Of propricty or former
state of servitudc, actually rolled on the
ground, uttcring wild cries Of delight
Col. McGruder, however. gentleman Of
rare courage and great presence Of mind
walked to the nearest hardware store
and procured a large quantity Of car
bell, that he distributed among the SER
goants, with instructions to ring on the
command of halt or on the command OF
march This was done, and afterward
the president complimonted the mounted
defenders upon the finish and beauty OF
their drill. or the civic procession
cannot speak with SO much commenda
ton The Fifth division, made Up,
was informed by a reliable gentleman
well acquainted with the programme, OF
the Independent order of country post
masters, marched well, keeping step on 9
right dress regulation by the third as
sistant postmaster general But the,
looked hungry and weak, and created
much commiseraton Following them
came the Credit Mobilier stockholders
But we missed their grand marshal
Oakes Ames, who, am informed is SC
weak from his late weeping that he coult
not get out The S. G.. Bowen Pioneer
club of the district, carrying q banner
with painting of the well known Bowen
bill, attracted attention. The band play.
ed Not for Joe, with decided effect
THE SURVIVORS OF BLACK FRIDAY,
Carrying portrait Of the late James
| Fisk, Jr,, draped in mourning, were quite
| startling, as also was the Samana Bay
company and true believers in St. Do.
mingc The Eighteenth division, that
contained the Christian statesman, eXcit
ed universal admiration. The honorable
and sanity Pom acted as marshal, while
the band played 50 rs to draw tears from
a sheriff,
! Oh, don you remember sweet Alice, Old Pom?
But we missed the Philadelphia fire
companies that have assisted at naueur.
ations since the early presidents Those
/ no shirted heroes, who made an honest
citizen shudder when they approached ;
who were went to pull their machines
along the avenue after the incoming pres
ident, were sadly missed Why they
should pull machines after incoming
presidents no man could make out, but
they always did In their place we
had the Washington City fire engines,
drawn by horses; very gay affairs, but
alas, not Philadelphia lsmts or
THr CEREMONIES AT THE CAPITOL
can give you no reliable account. |
employed very matter of fact, reliable
/ young man out Of Ben Buffers office 70
make notes for you, but he committed q
grave blunder that ruined all He took
light buggy and horse from the stable
/ of keyser d Co., and drove near the
stand This was contrary 20 regulations,
but he showed his card of newspaper re-
porter and was admitted Since Butler
and Bingham made their attack on us we
are receiving more attention than we de-
| sire, On this occasion it was fatal, for
I soon the mis- souidp0 yOun0 man foun1