The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-03-05
Washington Thronged with
Visitors.
A MAGNIFICENT DEMONS
TION BY THE MILITARY.
President Garfield's Inaugural Ad-
dress.
A Brilliant Scene at the Grand Ball

WASHINGTON, March Notwithstanding
the snow storm which set in here last night all
Washington was astir at an early hour, and
men, women and children hurried through
snow and slush from every direction, all intent
on reaching Pennsylvania avenue to witness
the inaugural procession, to the Capitol to
be present at the ceremonies to take place
there During the entire night trains laden
with military and civilians arrived and contiu-
ued throughout the morning to pour into the
streets Thirty stands with seats were erected
on all public squares fronting on Pennsylvania
avenue, and numerous other stands in front of
stores, etc. These stands were capable of seat
ing $4,000 people. 1t is estimated that $4,000
strangers were in Washington.
At 1870 a. m. the sun commenced to shine
quite brightly with chilly wind from the
northwest. The greater portion of the popu-
lation of Washington and Georgetown along
the line of march, aud with the strangers here,
over 100000 persons assembled to witness the
procession.
The Presidential party in the procession
were in three four-horse carriages, containing
President r. B. Hayes, President-elect Gar
field, Vice President W. A. Wheeler, Vice
President-elect Arthur, Senators Pendleton,
Anthony and Bayard
The journey was made so quietly that the
immense throng of people congregated on the
avenue in front of the White House did not
KNOW uuIll dlGtr Glo Carriage ndu passed VINO
the occupants were. Otherwise there would
have been demonstration. Fifteen minutes
later the troops composing the First Division
were nearly all in line and in the order in
which they were to march. AS the midship-
men from Annapolis made their appearance
they were given demonstration by the assem-
bled thousands. Their appearance was exceed
ingly creditable. AT 10 AZ the procession start
ed. AS the carriage containing the President,
General Garfield and Senators Thurman and
Bayard appeared, there was tremendous cheer
ing along the line. General Garfield acknowl-
edged the compliments by removing his hat
and bowling There was great enthusiasm
everywhere.
The procession started from the White House
the President being escorted by the First Di-
vision.
At 11.2O the head of the procession, passing
around the south wing, reached the eastern
front of the Capitol. The Presidential car
riage was driven to the lower entrance of the
Senate wing and the President elect accom-
panied by the Vice President-elect and Sena-
tors Pendle ON and Thurman, entered the
building and proceeded to the Vice Presidents
room, where they remained till II o'clock.
AS early as 10 o'clock crowds began to as
semble in front of the platform erected over
the steps leading to the main entrance, and at
II o'clock it was estimated that $4,000 people
were massed in front of the building.
Holders of cards of admission to the Capitol
thronged the approaches to the Senate long
before the doors were opened and within a
few minutes after the Senate galleries filled.
They presented very gay appearance, ;much
the larger proportion of their occupants being
ladies in holiday attire. Mrs. Garfield, wife
of the President-eect, and his venerable
mother, occupied front seats in the private
gallery next to the diplomatic gallery, and
Mrs. Hayes sat between them. Misses Mollie
Garfield and Fannie Hayes and few personal
friends were also of the party. The floor of
the Senate began to fill mp quite early with
distinguished invited guests, including a num-
Der of army officers of high rank, among
whom Generals Hancock and Sheridan were
especially noticed.
The routine business of the Senate pro-
ceeded without other interruption till about
11.30, when the diplomatic corps appeared
and attracted universal notice as they filed
down the centre aisle in gorgeous court cos
tunes. Sir Edward Thornton headed the
corps as it's dean. The French, Italian and
Turkish minister, wearing his fez, and, still
more conspicuOusly attired, the full Chinese
legation next appeared and afforded a fresh
topic for comment in the galleries, alike by
their grave demeanor and their red-button
mandarin hats and peacock feathers
A few minutes afterward the Supreme
Court of the United Sattes was announced,
and the Justices, headed by Chief Justice
Waite and clad in their robes of Office, en-
tered the chamber and marching slowly down
in front of and facing the rostrum. Ex-
Justices Swayne and Strong also entered with
their former colleagues.
The Scene in the Senate.
Shortly before II o'clock General Garfield
and President Hayes entered the chamber arm
in-arm escorted by Senators Pendleton, AnthO-
ny and Bayard, (the committee of arrange
ments), and followed by all the members of the
Cabinet. AS they proceeded down the aisle
Senators and all other occupants of the floor
rose and remained standing until they had
taken their seats. The galleries applauded by
clapping of hands and waving handkerchiefs.
Vice president elect Arthur was next an
nounced and he was escorted by the Sergeant
alarms ard Senator Pendleton to the seat on
the right of Vice-Presdent Wheeler amid re-
newed and hearty applause, at the conclu-
sion of which he delivered a brief address,
and was sworn in.
At this stage of the proceedings the MEM
bers of the House, headed by Speaker Randall,
entered and took seats behind the diplomatic
corps.
The hour of II having arrived Vice-Presi-
dent Wheeler delivered his valedictory. The
forty-SiXth Congress was then declared at an
end, and the newly indicted ice-Presideut
administered the oath of Office to Senators
elect who came forward to the rostrum as
their names were called, six at time.
The work of organization being completed
it was announced that the Senate, Supreme
Court and invited guests would proceed to the
east portico of the Capitol to participate in the
ceremonies of inauguration of the President
elect.
The procession accordingly formed and pro-
coded through the corridors and rotunda to the
place indicated. The procession filed through
the main corridor to the rotunda. Crowds
pouring from the galleries caused blockade
and breaking in upon the procession were
merged with it and passed on to the rotunda,
dense, confused mass.
On reaching the main entrance leading from
the retunda to the platform the pressure was
relieved andlthe presidential party enabled to
reach the 'front.'
Mrs. Garfield, Mrs. Hayes, Gen. Garfield s
mother, and other ladies of the party were
caught in the crowd and experienced consider
able difficulty in reaching the platform.
At half-past twelve the President reached
his place at the front of the platform and took
his seat, with Chief Justice Waite upon his
right and ex-President Hayes upon his left
with Senators Pentleton, Anthony and Bayard,
while Immediately behind him sat his secre-
tary, Mrs. Garfield, Mrs. Hayes and Vice Pres
ident Arthur.
At 1885 Senator Pendleton arose and intro
duced President Garfield who delivered his
inaugural with uncovered head in voice
clear, distinct and calm and was plainly heard
by every one upon the stand and for Il long
distance on every hand. The delivery of the
message occupied 10 minutes.
President Garfield's Address.
FetlOW Citizens: We stand to-day upon
an eminence which overlooks hundred years
of national life, century crowded
with perils, but crowded with the
triumphs of liberty and law. Before con
tinuing the onward march let us pause on this
height for moment to strengthen our faith
and renew our hope by glance at the path
way along which our people have travelled.
A RETROSPECT.
1t is now three days more than hundred
years since the adoption of the first written
Constitution of the United States, the articles
of confederation and perpetual union. The new
republic was then beset with dangers on every
hand; it had not conquered place in the fam
lily of nations. The decisive battle of the war
for independence, whose centennial an
niversary will soon be gratefully OBJ
served at Yorktown, had not been fought.
The colonsts yet were struggling not
only against the armies of great
nation, but against the settled opinion of man.
kind for the world did not believe that the
supreme authority of government could be
safely entrusted to the guardianship of the
people themselves. We cannot estimate the
fervent love OF liberty, the intelligent courage
and the saving common sense with which our
fathers made the great experiment OF
| self government. When they found
| after short trial that the Confederation of
| States was too weak to meet the necessities of
| vigorous aud expanding republic, they boldly
| set it aside, and in its stead established ma
tional union founded directly upon the will of