The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-03-10
The New President.

The New President.
SCENES AND INCIDENTS OF THE INAUGURATION
+ IMMENSE CROWD AND IMPRESSIVE CERE
MONIES.
From the National Republican,
No more imposing ceremonies were ever
witnessed on this continent than those which
attended the Inauguration of President James
A. Garfield The whole nation seemed TO
honor the man in whom it has imposed It's
greatest trust The splendid pageant on the
historic Avenue will never be forgotten.
The evening of the Sd Of March closed in
storm and snow, with vivid flashes OF light
ming and reverberating peals of thunder. The
/ wind blew bitter, blusterl g, boisterous from
the east, and there was little hope tor good
day for Inauguration. In the morning the
snow lay white and stainless on the grassy
slopes of the Capitol, and the raw chill March
! wind cut like a knife on its exposed terraces.
| 1t promised a most uncomfortable time for the
Inauguration exercises, and great was the dis
satisfaction expressed; but contrary to Ven
nors Vaccinations and the Signal Service sum-
mary of the weather indicates, about ten
| O'Clock In the morning blue break III the
cloudy sky gave promise of the storm passing
away, then another and another, until at last
soltened its raw blasts to a spring-like breeze,
| and under the blue sky, with the broad, bright
sun pouring its golden light upon him, Gen1
James A. Garfield took the oath OF office as
President of the United States commencing
term to which even the elements themselves
seemed propitlous.
1t was mooted question until the sun had
risen Friday whether there would be any pa
rade or not Thousands of National Guards
mr. n,,I ~ a;,x a;afi<
sembed in the city, but the storm of rain and
sleet which prevailed during the previous
night babe fair to render the streets impassa-
BILE. At daybreak, however, the storm had
ceased. Men were placed at work scraping
the accumulated snow and slush from the Ave-
nue., and preparations were begun at an early
hour for the procession By eight o'clock the
sun began to dispel the gray, bleak-looking
clouds, and before the hour appointed for the
procession to move nearly all traces of the
storm had been effaced by the warm sunlight.
The procession, which began to move at half
past ten O'clock, formed the grandest pageant
ever witnessed in the city, with the exception OF
the famous review of 1865 The Avenue and
its approaches never presented such a scene.
There was one mass of people from the White
House to the Capitol. 1t is estimated that
there were 100000 spectators assembled be-
tween the points named. The order of march
was that prescribed by General Sherman The
nrst division alone escorted the President and
President-elect to the Capitol. After the IN
augural ceremonies the other divisions fell in
behind the first, and the whole body marching
up Pennsylvania avenue, passed in review be-
fore the President at the Executive Mansion.
Thence the procession marched to the Wash
ington Circle, wheeled into K street, and,
marching to Ninth, dispersed. 1t is calculated
that there were 10000 men in line the process
sion having occupied two hours and ten min
utes in passing the reviewing stand.
Before ten o'clock the tide of people flowing
to the Capitol was on the flood. Around that
building all was animation and hustle, The
aspect Of its surroundings was indeed black
and forbidding before the hour named The
snow lay on the parks and terraces In the
walks it was trodden to an icy, lay-colored
slush, slippery and disagreeable.> One could
not but feel pity for the vast number of men
already formed in line and waiting the order
to move, which they knew would not come
until after hours OF enduring the discomforts
Of bleak March wind in that exposed posi-
ton A guard of soldiers was stationed around
the north front of the building, permitting no
one without pass to enter. Notwithstanding
| this, however, crowds of people, denied en-
trance, lounged listlessly about, gaping and
staring, as if the coveted admission were to be
won by patient and purposeless waiting.
THE SENATE GALLERIES.
The number of persons having passes, how
ever, was not SMALL and even as early as ten
o'clock the galleries of the Senate were more
than half filled. In the seats Immediately op-
posite the reporters gallery, in the front row,
were seated General Garfeld's mother, Mrs.
Hayes, General Garfeld's wife, Miss Mollie
Garfield, Miss Nellie Hayes, and two lady WIS.,
itors at the White House. The constant in
fiux of persons into the galleries soon filled
them up. There was a noticeable lack of
brilliant colors in the ladies' toilets. In fact,
but for hats and bonnets, with their bright
tinted ribbons and other insignia of decoration,
there would have been very remarkable uni
formity of color between the dress of both
gentlemen and ladies' Regulation black was
the prevailing hue. Almost all the notable
people in Washington were in these galleries.
On the floor of the Senate were number of
distinguished gentlemen, conspicuous among
whom were eX-Secretary and Senator-elect
John Sherman and Secretary Schurz. Mr.
Sherman sat still and silent, noticing the pro-
ceedings with an interested but familiar eye
Mr.. Shurz came in by the south door, and was
instantly the centre of a host OF friends, whose
salutations he met with easy grace
During all this time the Senate proceeded
in the most humdrum way to dispose of bust
ness Motions were put and decided, the
reading clerk droned outannouncements, pages
dawdled about the aisles or stepped briskly TO
the call of Senators. There was lstless air
about the august body which might be termed
dignity, conscious Of being fatgued. The
only man there who seemed to have business
on hand was James l. Christie, Assistant Door
keeper, whose handsome face and gracefully
rotund form were seen moving around with
expedition and dispatch.
About eleven o'clock Mr. Blaine came in at
the west door, escorting General Hancock in
full uniform. The Generals appearance was
the signal for universal and prolonged applause
in which both the floor and the galleries
heartily joined, and which was continued until
after he took his seat. Every person present
seemed disposed to pay the ovation of hand
clapping to the unsuccessful candidate for the
Presidency, who bore defeat with such grace
us to rob it of all reproach. He was warmly
| welcomed personally by majority of the Sen
ators and escorted to a sofa on the Republican
side of the chamber. About quarter of an
hour afterward Lieutenant General Sheridan
came in and was greeted with similar de-
| mons tration, although less prolonged. 1t was
| repeated when he approached General Han
cock and the two military chiefs shook hands
cordially.
| At 1875 Secretary EParts entered from the
| south door, escortng the members of the
| foreign diplomatic corps whose varied APP
pearance and brilliant uniforms presented
very handsome spectacle. Sir Edward
| Thornton, with his breast covered with
gold lace, was the first, followed by NJ Max
Outrey, the French Minister, the Turkish,
Danish, Swedish, Mexican, and Gillian repre-
sentatives with the full Chinese and Japanese
Legations, and the German Minister. A full
suite accompanied each, They occupied the
two front rows of desks ON the Democratic
side. Shortly after came in the Justices of the
Supreme Court IN the traditional black gown
of the common law judge. They occupied
sofas in front of the diplomatic corps.
A ripple of excitement was caused immedi-
ately after the entrance of the Supreme Court
by the appearance of Mr.. Pruden, the Presi-
dents private secretary, announcing message
from him, which was read. Captain Bassett,
the assistant doorkeeper, had his attention
turned to the clock, to which he hurried, and,