Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1877-03-08
Washingtonin Gala Attire
OVATION TO PRESIDENT
HAYES.
Views of the New President.

complain that the new President was not In
augurated with all the pride, pomp and cir
cumstance properly pertaining to the cere-
mony. The hastily prepared Inauguration
was rs brilliant success as 1t would nave
been if weeks instead of few days had been
spent in making preparations for it. The day
opened up DARK, cloudy, windy and cold
-Four years ago the weather was intolerable.
The cold was severe, and the wind was gale
blowing from all the four quarters at once.
From early morn the streets were crowded.
The wide and spacious avenue looked gay and
brilliant. Flags and banners We're seen every
where. Tall buildings obscured by rainbow
eolored drapery, were beautifully iestooned
and gracefully arranged. From high towers
the Stars and Stripes were waving, and along
the smooth pavements in solid column moved
corps of veterans, with nedding pIumes and
glittering arnpr.
Every window along Pennsylvania avenue
was crowded with eager faces, and the steps
and windows of the Treasury Department
building, which WAS in the route OF parade,
were filled with spectators.
There were at least 500 people on the
streets by 10 O'Clock, waiting and watching
for the procession, which Was to Start from
the White Hocse an hour later. They were
packed like herrings on the side walk, IN the
show windows, shop doors, and even on the
roofs of the buildings.
At 10 o'clock President Hayes, accompanied
by his son and Senator Sherman, left the resi-
denee of the Senator for the Executive Man
sion, where he was met and cordially greeted
by ex-President Grant, who was in waiting to
escort the new PRESIDENT to the Capitol.
There were also present the Vice President
elect and the Commissioners of the District oi
III, aAi tn hs.
parlor and passed some time in conversation.
In the meantime the grand inaugural pageant,
that had gathered at the Washington Circle,
in the west end of the city, about mile dis.
tant from the White House, started with their
flying banners and bands of music.
From the west front of the capitol the spec
tacle was exceedingly beautiful. The buildings
were handsomely decorated along the avenue
from First street to the treasury, and hag>
and banners and streamers were suspended
from ropes across the thoroUghtare. Z adei
this archway, aad amid these gaudy decora-
tions finally came marching the procession.
The eye was greeted with q glittering SHOW
of gold, AID scarlet, and tnsel, cleaning
bayonets and waving umes, VITA hutterihg
flags and darting pennons. As the gay pro,
cession moved along the avenue the Vast crowd
complimented the participants with cheers
breaking out into deafening roars AS the ne"
President came In vlew, seated by Gen Grant
hat in haud, bowing from side to side IN re-
sponse.
At the Capitol, hong before the hour for
opening, there was an immense rush to gain
admission to the Senate chamber. Ihe Iooi
of the Senate was filled to its capacity. Ihe
old and new Senators were there, majority
of tie Republican members of Congress Jud-
ges OF the supreme court, Chief Justice, Gen
eral officers OF the army, the foreign repre-
sentatives and u host OF distinguished citiZens
from all sections OF the country.
AT 12 O'Clock the doors were thrown open,
and the President and ex-President walked il
and down the aisle arm in arm. Many now
saw Hayes for the first time, and the opinion
passed from lip to lip that be was handsome,
taultlessly dressed, Car led himself well, &c.
There seemed to be an intense desire to see
him, as he has not been in public, previous 10
to-day, for many years.
The President and ex-President were given
seats Immediately in front of the Speakers
stand, and remained sitting while the new
Senators were sworn in.
After the oath of office was administered to
Vice President Wheeler, President Hayes was
conducted to the east entrance, where The in
auguration ceremonies were 10 take place, fol
lowed by the Senators and others upon the
floor
From ''every jelting lrieze and coigne of
vantage" loomed thousands and tens OF thous
ands of spectators. Far as the eye could
reach it met surging, seething mass which
struggled, pressed and cheered. The glad
sunshine burst out in almost summer splendor.
Right in front of the platform whereon wa
seated President Hayes, the military and other
organizations were drawn up in line. Infant
ry, cavalry and artillery were all blended to
gether, their brilliant uniforms and waving
flags lending an additional effect Of brightness
to the scene. All the preparations having
been made, the President began his inaugural
address.
AT 12:45 P. Il. his appearance at the front
of the platform was greeted with shouts of
applause from thousands of people who stood
closely packed together both in front of and
behind the long lines of military that extended
frem one end of the Capitol ground to the
other ..-. .
The address, although read from manu-
script, was delivered with great animation,
but, although his voice was clear and strong,
it could not be heard at any considerable dis
tance, owing to the hum of conversation and
comment aud the pressure of the crowds
which kept upa constant struggle 10 get near
er to the platform. At the conclusion of the
address the oath of Office was administered to
the President by Chief Justice Waite, both
standing with uncovered heads at the front of
the platform. At the instant he bent to kiss
the book, after taking the oath, the signal flag
dropped, and the first gun OF lS5 pealed forth,
that the close toa struggle unpar-
alleled in our history had come.
At the conclusion the procession reformed
and marched back through the avenue to the
White House, where the Presidential party
lunch provided by Mrs. Grant, after
which the ex-President and Mrs. Grant were
driven to the residence of Secretary Fish,
leaving the new President in possession of
their new home.
Hayes inaugural Adj
WAsHINGTON, March 5.
FELLOW. CITizENs:-We have as
here to repeat the public cere-
begun by Washington, observ-
ed by all ny predecessors, and now a
custom which marks the
of a nav term Of the