St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1881-03-11
A Scene at inauguration.


The center of interest was now trans
ferred to the east front of the capitol,
whittier as soon as the new senators had
been sworn in, the procession of dis
tinguished people in the chamber took
up the line of march. a great platform
had been erected in front of the build
ing, and the sight presented from it was
a most striking one. For rods and rods
in front and to either side were massed
the thousands upon thousands of spec
tators, wedged in one solid mass so that
nothing but their heads could be seen.
1t was indeed one great sea of faces, all
upturned with eager, expectant eyes.
In the center of the platform at the
front was a little space raised few
inches above the level of the rest, upon
which stood several chairs, the most
noticeable being homely and antique
one which tradition, if not history, says
was occupied by Washington at his first
Inauguration and which has certainly
been used for many years on such occa-
siOns. In this chair Mr.. Garfield took
his seat for a few minutes when he ar
rived, the others being occupied by
President Hayes, Vice-President Ar
thur. Mr.. Wheeler, Chief Justice Waite
and Senators PendletOn, Bayard and
Anthony. The elder and younger Mrs.
Garfield, Mrs. Hayes and one or two
other ladies were also given seats here.
About quarter of Garfield rose from
the historic chair, drew from his pocket
a roll of manuscript tied at one corner
with blue ribbon, and began delivering
his inaugural. His appearance was dig
nified and even imposing; his voice,
though not at its best, was still in good
condition, and his words, spoken with
deliberation and force, could be heard
for quite distance, though of course
the great majority of his auditors only
saw the moving of his lips. The crowd
was disposed to be enthusiastic, and fol
some time applauded almost every SEN
tence with little regard to appropriate
ness. A considerable colOred element
was visible, which also made itself au-
dible when Mr.. Garfield reached the
paragraphs regarding their race,
'Thank God :" calculated one of them
with much JUNCTION when the speaker
said, 1.-The emancipated race has al
ready made remarkable progress.
Again when he said, sit is alleged that
in many communities negro citizens are
denied the freedom of the ballot a
voice was heard declaring, ITS fact
| The heartiest applause greeted the de-
claration that the colOred lace shall en-
| joy the full and equal protection of the
constitution and laws. 1t is in this.cOn-
nection that Garfield made the only slip
of speech. saying five thousand where
he intended to use the words five mil
lions. The portion of the address re-
garding finance elected warm applause
The paragraph regarding civil-servict
reform was received without any ex-
preston of sentiment, but Coukling,
who stood on a chair few feet behinC
the speaker, leaned over and whisper.
ed something to Judge Davis, who
stood beside him, trusting his huge
frame to a rather slender looking chair
Conkling. indeed, made whispered
comments upon the address to Davi:
all along, which were apparently of ;
sarcastic nature. His attitude wa
strongly in contrast with that of Bay
ard, who unconsciously, but none the
less Significantly, nodded to himself ap
prevail of all the leading passages. TIL,
address occupied 35 minutes in its de
livery.
At the close Garfield turned toward
the chief justice, who advanced and ad
ministered the oath of Office, the clerl
of the supreme court holding a beauti
4 ful bound Bible, upon which the eatl
was taken, Then occurred as impress