The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1881-03-18
HANCOCK.

now ashamed of the act. Driven to il
under stress of political persecution, or
promises of favoror coerced by still more
disgracoful means, the sober second
thought would now induce them to vote
for Hancock. Those who have read
carefully the account of the inaugural
proceedings must be convinced, that of
those who went lately, disinterested to
Washington,those we mean who did not
go to procure an Office for themselves or
another, went there solely to pay their
respects to General Hancock. Washing
ton being in the department of which he
is commander, it was known that he
would be officially present, and the peo
pie went to see him. In proof of this
we give extracts from the reports of va
rious correspondents, who were writ
ing the facts, not as partisans, but as
chronlclers of the time.
The greatest sensation Of the day in the streets
was the cxtraord AIRY crowd that gathered at the
Baltimore and Potomac dept TO greet General Han
cock. lie was expected by the limited train from
New York. which arrives here at four o'clock In the
afternoon. Tho crowd began to gradually form In
sixth Street as early as three o'clock. BY four the
street was filled and the expectant, enthusiastic
hero-worshipers welled up into Pennsylvania aven-
ue, across the lines and In front of The National
Hotel extending up the avenue TO Seventh street.
From fifteen TO twenty thousand people were gath
cred there In a mass OF humanity so dense as to
block all travel for time save on the street car
tracks, (which were kept clear only by dint OF hard
work on the part OF the police. The number OF Ia
dies In the immense gathering was remarkable
Some Of them stood there four hours, merely to
catch glimpse of the famous General. Perhaps no
crowd ever waited more patiently and perslstensy
TO see man who had been defeated for the Presi-
dency and who had nothing wherewith TO reward
them for their consideration.
HAsooCK's RoUslNa WELCOME.
There, 1t is now haf-past I. Even as write these
lines hear the guns; hear the Of voices we'll
ing up the street; see the flash of frew orks only
q square away, and know the "old man has come"
Stepping out upon my offce balcony see a dense
throng OF excited people surging to and fro and h
ing the broad avenue and overtowlng :the walks.
The light of the fireworks betrays the presence
OF carriages In the very centre OF this bowling mob
In front is an escort of the National Rifles, their
black shakos white with the falling snow: behind
rear guard OF the same finey-uniformed com mand.
so great Is the crowd scarcely the military;
| so loud the camor can hardly hear the marching
| band which precedes the cortege. They are oppo-
site now, and know whatth crowd and camor
| means.
take out the horses" is the shout. The crowd
struggle and fight for place and clasp hold of the
| harness. The mounted police fight and struggle to
| ward them OF.
"Take out the horses and give us chance!" But
| the military move steadily on The coachman IN
his white oilcloth gives his team the curb. The
snow falls in white drifts against the carriage win
| dow, behind which is the family defined figure
| The mob Of enthusiasts sweep by pell-mell with
| the same loud cry: "Take out the horses?
/ shut my window, knowing now for certain that
| the "old man" had come. Well, hundreds Of mer
had waited in the street all these hours and they
must be pardoned II they yearned for little physic
| al exercise.
When Hancock reached his quarters at Worm
leys an immense crowd gathered in front OF the ho
tel, filling the street for holt square each way
The clamor was great that as soon as the Genera
could get rid OF his wraps he came out on the bal
cony. He was sauted by deafening cheers. The
General was then introduced by Governor A, j
Creswell and made short Speech In which ht
thanked the assembly for their expression OF es
TEEN and apologzed for causing them to be out or
such night as this. lie was frequently interrupted
| with applause, and at the close the crowd seemed
wild with excitement After the General had re-
turned to hts parlors he received good many per-
sonal friends, most of them being army officers.
Times Dispctch March 3rd.
| Among the ina ugural proceedings Oh
the 4th in the Senate Chamber, we find
the following:
HANCOCK RECOGNIZED.
The Senators were early In their seats assigned
on the left, looking as stif and uncomfortable a'
| In 1to
ure of all eyes was the burly form OF General Han
cock In full uniform. He occupied front seat upoi
a leather-covered settee, beside one OF his staff
| When he entered the chamber he was boisterous.
applauded, with universal clapplng OF hands ant
shouts OF enthusiasm. The solemn decorum OF the
Senate chamber never before saw such wild ant
peculiar demonstration The Senators crowded
around him, Republicans and Democrats alike, eacl
pressing forward to take the sold man" by the hand
| His reception OF these iattorlng attentions wa
modest and pleasing to see. IL was with tn
bearing OF private gentleman towards his friends
The personal attention to Hancock had scarcel!
ceased, when General PILL Sheridan entered from
the north lobby, within a few feet OF General Han
cock, and Immediately Joined him. There was an
other round OF applause, though OF less boisterou
| nature than before. The two distinguished Genor
ais shook hands in hearty manner sherid IN 10
moving his military cloak. 1t was remarked hoy
nearly alike these men look both being OF the sam
build and facial fuliness. Sheridan had the appear
G ance OF second and smaller edition OF Hancock
Olive Logan, by no means friendl
observer, writes on March 9th:
What coup de theatre when Hancock trampe
in with gold lace voluminously employed and ma
ior generals buttons all ever him. With grace In
mitable Conkling arose, the very first to grasp tn
hand OF the defeate candidate and to welcome hi
to the Senate halls OF dazzling light. They forme
picture. can tell you, the great Senate. and th
: Major General OF tho forces, erst the Pres!dentl
: candidate, standing hand grasped in hand, in II
wide passage way leading to the opt aker's desk,an
I verify, such applause have hardly heard since N
last Patti night. Senators ana Representative
: Democrats and Repubcans,all joined In the tribu
l as Hancock was escorted TO one OF the huge, con
! Portable leather,covtred arm-chairs placed ther
for this exceptional occasion in semicircle aroun
{ the Speakers desk.
4 These are few of the spontaneou
n testimonials which the day and the tim
a evoked from the people towards the ga
4 liant soldier and the honest man. TC
!, wards him who had no Offices to give
n no honors to bestow, no rewards to ter
der,the hearts and wishes and eyes of tn
people turned Every where cheerin
@ crowds met him-thousands of men an
/, women stood for hours in the storm t
e welcome his arrival-graye and dign
fed senators crowded around him-an
l. the late Vice President himself, havin
e adjourned the senate without da,
d seeking the place of honor, graceful
i quilted his official chair and took seI
; between Generals Hancock and Sher
o dan.
?, Such tributes at such times and
e such places have a significance beyor
s mere formal tender of respect. The
1t show that deep in the honest heart is !
/ spect for the honest man. That pohti
l al success is not q criterion by which Il
great mass of the people measure me
N Such tributes mean that they will yet b
It stow upon their favorite the highest a
IS ditional title which they can confer, tn
l. of Commander-in. Chief and Chief Ma