The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-12-24


bless the world in the future, as in the past.
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ANOTHER one of the stories so dear to all
hearts must take its place with tie exploded
myths of history 1t has always been under
stood, and has been cherished as a sweet and
enduring morsel by the Democratic party
especially that Thomas Jefferson's Inaugural
ton as President in 1901 was phenomenally
simple and unostentatious; that the red head
ed and white-hearted old Republican can
tered solitary and alone up the avenue on the
to post in front of the Capitol, and then
walked to the portico and took the oath of
office as President This has been the dear
old legend. Upon it Richelieu Robinson
based his preamble and resolutions prescribing
the method and manner of Cleveland's inaug-
ural in March next; and with the illustrious
example of the great founder Of the Republic
an party in mind, enthusiastic Democrats
have painted graphic scenes of ga return of
fathers" Some miserable Dryasdust,
some small-minded iconoclast, has had
the ineffable impudence to hunt
back into the files of the Ma
tional Intelligencor, in which newspaper,
edited by warm friend of Jefferson, Of
date March 6, 1901, there is an account of the
inaugural ceremonies. From this account it
appears that inaugural day was ushered in
by the firing of cannon; that at 10 A. NJ the
paraded at the White House, and at II 4. pro-
cession of the people, including many mem
bers of Congress- passed down the avenue to
the Capitol. 1t also mentions that the demon
stration surpassed any previous one in the
history of the city. This, of course, knocks
the one-horse, solitary ride story into
a cooked hat, and forever ruins the immortal
Jefferson as an example of 'the simplicity Of
the fathers" Besides this, an examination of
the Inteligencer files shows that jefferson was
not averse to parade. On the 10th of April,
1901, he visited Alexandria to partake of a
public dinner, and was met on the way by ar
tillery, rife companies and cavalry, and citi-
zens in demonstration rivaling in splendor
the Inauguration ceremonies on the 4th of
March full account of the affair appears
in the Intelligencer Of the next morning, and
allowing for the difference in the style of re-
porting between that day and this,
it is evident that for the period the mag
nifcence was worthy the occasion,
showing that Mr.. Jefferson had not lived in
gay and celebrant Paris for nothing and that
he had proper conception Of the Importance
of his position as the head Of a nation, and a
due regard for the popular taste, which likes
a little Of pride, pomp and circumstance in
connection with the public appearances Of the
man who is, for the time, the representa-
tive of the sovereignty of the Re
public. 1t is sad to think that
the old story of Jeffersons solitary
ride to Capitol Hill must be abandoned, and
that the Democrats, who have ridden that old
mare for nearly century. and have prated
about 'the earlier and better days of the Re
public and 'the simplicity of the fathers"
will be compelled to dismount their hobby,
and acknowledge that their patron saint was
ushered into the presidency with even greater
pomp and ceremony than attended the inaug-
uration of Washington and Adams.
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IsN,T If about time TO Quit babying crimi-