Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1877-03-06

The Torch Light Procession In Wash.
fnSLOn Last Night.

The loren LIShG IrOCeSslOh lii w dSn-
1nsLOn Last Night.
After the close of the Gazette y report of the
proceedings 10 Washington yesterday, the city
gradually Gained down until twilight when
political procession formed at the city ball. 1t
was led by few white men but composed al.
most exclusively of negroes who were each sup
piled with torch, their darkness below SEW
ing as a foil to set off the lights above.
The programme proposed by the committee
of arrangements of the inauguration was car
ried out and the avenue presented brilliant
appearance. Much disappointment Was Gre
ated by the non.appearaDce OF citizens IN the
line other than those holding Offices, as was ex
pected. The illumination of private residences
was very slight, and in fact along the route Of
the procession there were not two dozen places,
I other than restaurants, boarding houses, &C.,
| ligted tor the occasion.
The avenue was brilliantly lsh'cd from one
eDd 10 the other, while archways Of Chi
ncse lanterns, red lights blue lights and calcium
lanterns at intervals made the scene Ole OF very
great briiIiaucy Rockets aud roman candles
were fired at intervals along the route, and
cheers greeted tue display almost IncesSsutly.
The participants 10 the parade we're mostly
citizcps Of the District the majority being COL
orrd people. The avenue was drDscly crowded,
and there was large police force lu attendance
for the preservation OF order
When the procession appeared. there was a
grand confusion o red lights. torchllghts, Ian
tern lgh,s, rockets, and Examinations Of al
kinds. Everything from the SMALLEST dag OF
streamcr, Oh the roof OF 4 building, could be
distinguished as easily as at MONDAY, aud the
contrast with the bIackness OF the night IN the
sky, was 4 magnificent feature Of the spectacle
As the procession moved through this sea OF
light, to the music of lively airs, the torch
bearers huzzaed themselves hoarsc.
About niue o'clock the procession rounded
into the grounds in front OF the Executive
Mansion. n large crowd was already there
and the best places tor seeing and hearing were
takeu W heu the head OF the line reached &
point 10 front OF the main entrance the cheer
ing began and became ucessant. The grounds
soon filled up with torch bearers. aud still large
part OF the procession was left Cut on Pennsyl
vanla avenue. So eager were the spectators tC
get glimpse OF the President that in the CROWD
on the portico several persons were nearly
crushed TO death. The cry The President
Was rcsouudcd by the vast throng. Soon he
doors Of the mansion were thrown open, anC
President Hayes slipped out. A passage wa:
made for him through the crowd Oh the poril
CO, and the President stepped out to the edge
of the portc0.
By far the largest portion OF the asscmblage
the Presdent could not sec, as the wall and RAJ!
ing across the roadway were 10 the Way. Step
ping down from the portico he hastcped acros:
the roadway and being assisted up to the tor
Of the wall, stood supporting himself against
the railing uudcr the lamps 10 full view of the
whole multitude. Several Of those on the
ground beneath him reached up their hand:
aud the President, bendlng, gave them hearty
shake.
} Later from one of the upper windows of tn.
mansion he oongral ulated tue crowd on TIT
pcac@able solution OF the difficulties, ant
thanked them for the call.
Then the crowd spicd Vice President Whecle
and gained new enthusiasm. The Vice Pres
) dent simply made bis acknowledge ents Iron
the window in short speech.
The Inaugural Address in LOudOn
LONDON, March The inaugural address
OF President Hayes which is published here il
full, this morning, has created very favorable
impression.
The Times says the greater part Of it was o
character that might have been we'll received
by men Of all parties.
] The News says :-"Of course general prlucl
pies do not help much to cool Angry passion
which have been scething fer years, but Their
is time for the statement Of principles as vel
as Of details and it is but fair remark that q
far as they 90 the principles President Haye
enunciates are excellent
The Telegraph says: Mr.. Hayes comment
, upon the election ordeal which put such a Sc
, we're strain 90 the Constitution are such as be
come President, who from the moment h
takes the oath of office, should belong to al
parties. On the whole we do not imagine tina
, even his candid Opponents will complain Of thu
tone and temper Of the address which dcal
with questions of the highest moment priuari
, ly to America and indirectly to all the world
Mr.. Hayes speaks with the dignity and frank
ness becoming the Chief Magistrate Of grea
people and points the way to ends which If they
can be accomplished vii! rebound to his honor
md that of his country