National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-02-23
The Inauguration and the Procession

The Inauguration and the Procession.
We have given literally of our space for
various opinions on the subject of the
procession on Inauguration day, and now
we propose to have our own say on the
subject.
We 10 not regard the Inauguration of
the President as a party matter That
the party to which we belong prevailed
In thc late election is in our judgment a
great blessing, both to yictors and to van
quished. The peaceable acquiescence in
the result renders all political discrimina-
tons on Inauguration day unseemly, indie
corous. and improper. Acommittee of citi-
zcns at the capital has been charged with
the arrangement Of the ceremony ON that
occasion. That committee appointed Gen.
eTal Sherman as the grand marshal of the
day. Complaint is made by the committee
that he has not given some military and
~ ----~->:,+; ono from n!>ran1 dnfini+n
places III the line of march, but has or
dered that, after protecting the divisions
TO which places have been assigned, they
are to fall in in such order as they may
find convenient. This is so unsatisfactory
TO many that the committee on military
has made a separate order as to
the procession. We cannot doubt that
General Sherman would, if appealed to-
further amend his order in any reasona-
bic degree necessary to assign definite
places in the procession for all bodies
officially invited here to participate in the
ceremonies. To exclude from the pageant
companies which have come from all
over the Union by special invitation
would disappoint thousands who come
here to see them, as well as thousands
who have thus come hoping, as organiza-
tons, to be seen. Three companies con-
tended for the privilege of coming from
California, distance of $500 miles, the
one exhibiting the best drill being Sc
lected. General Sherman will so reform
his order, we hope, as to give every in
vited company and association
place in the grand procession
When this is done we think the
other complaint will be generally over
ruled. This is as to the selection of one
or more aids who opposed the election of
General Garfield. General Sherman has
had some experience in moving large
bodies of men, and if any one who in
1865 surrendered his sword to the nation
shall act by his selection as an aid in
moving the procession on the 4th proX-
imo We see no reason for excitement, nor
even for complaint. We have been I'M
able to share in the feeling that the in
augural ceremony should be in
any sense partisan. OF course the
friends of General Garfield naturally
lead in the preparations, but we should
think it very ungracious in his partisan
opponents if they were to refrain from
participation in the proceedings. If any
Democrat designated as an aid by Gen
eTal Sherman had refused to serve it
would have been regarded as churlish
and ill-mannered act. How, then, can
opposition to the services of such an aid
be regarded as courteous and right?
Let US all rid our minds of any though
OF mere party politics in the Inaugural
ton. The day and the occasion forbid
it. Our grand Republic peacefully changes
rulers. The succession, on which SO MANY
nations have been wrecked, is deter |
mined, and not a jar is felt Let the love
Of country on that day move all who are |
capable of being moved by it, and let the
whole people, with loud acclaim, welcome |
the President in whose hands, for veal
or for woe, the destinieS of the whole |
Nation are to be for four years entrusted. !