The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-03-04
GRANTS INAUGURATIoNs.
The Most Imposing Pageant Since WASH
ington's Induction Into Office.

ington's Induction Into Office.
New York World.
The first Inauguration of General Grant, the
illustrious General who had saved the Union by
the success of his armies, perhaps the most
imposing ceremony of the kind that had been
seq since the first Inauguration Of Washington,
IN 11S9. fThe day was cold and rainy. and the
streets of Washington, which had not yet been
paved were in most disagreeable condition.
The city, however. was full of people from every
part of the country, the decorations were un-
usually beautiful, and the greatest enthusiasm
prevailed. About $50 o'clock in the morning
General Grant and his friend and chief of staff,
General Rawlins, left the residence of the for
mer to take the place assigned them in the pro
cessiop. The General was dressed in a black
coat, black trousers silk hat, corn colored kid
gloves and black silk tie He had cigar in his
mouth and pulled over his lap beautiful robe
made of white fox skin, present to him from
Mrs. McCook, the wife of one of the United
States ministers abroad. Company T. Fifth
United States Covalry, which had acted as
sort of body guard to General Grant since the
war, was drawn up to serve as escort to the
presidential party. AS the procession started
the clouds broke away, the rain ceased and the
sun came out beautiful and warm The process
sion was made up of large number of military
and civic organizations, General Alexander
Webb being in command. II was day of grand
triumph for General Grant. The enthusiastic
plaudits of the assembled thousands fell upon
his ear from every direction, and no Roman con-
queror ever met people more unanimous in
their homage. When. the procession reached
the east front of the Capitol the Senate chamber
had already been crowded by those who were
anxious to see the ceremonies. General Grant
alighted and went Immediately to the Senate
chamber. Among the many distinguished peo-
pie who sat in the gallery waiting to see the
President-eect was Samuel j. Tilden, of New
York Horace Greeley was also there, in his
white coat, an attentive observer in the report
ers' gallery, and among the distinguished ladies
who sat near by was Mrs. Kate Chase Sprague,
the daughter of the Chief justice of the Supreme
Court Senator Benjamin Wade was then chair
man of the Senate, and among the famous mem
bers of the Senate at that time were
Conkling, Fessenden, Morton, Edmunds, Wilson,
Anthony, Trumbull, Dooittle. Sherman, Hen
bricks and Thurman. Vice president elect Col
fax was sworn in, made short address, and
then General Grant, preceded by the members
of the Supreme Court, went to the portico of the
east front of the Capitol, where he took the OATH
administered by Chief-justice Chase. He then
drew forth q roll Of manuscript and read his
inaugural address, and well-remembered Incl
dent is that while he was in the midst of this,
the most important speech that he had ever at
tempted to make his daughter Nellie, then but
llIIAe Slrl, jumped OOWn IrOm ner seat near Dy,
took position Immediately in front of her
father, looked him steadily in the face for mo-
ment and then returned without having said
word When the General had concluded read
ing his address cannon doomed and the shouts
of the vast multitude rent the air. He retired
to the Presidents room for few moments, then
took his phaeton, returned to the White House,
which had been vacated in the meantime by the
retiring President, Mr.. johnson.
On the occasion of the second Inauguration
Of General Grant the pageant began to move
from the executive mansion about 10
o'clock, ard the President, accompanied
by senatorial committee took position
at the head of the column in an open
barouche. General Barry, of the regular ar
tiilery, was the marshal of the day. Notwitk
standing the intense cold there was an immense
crowd on the streets, though not as much en-
thusasm as when General Grant was inaugu-
rated the first time. When the procession
reached the Capitol the presidential party went
at once to the Senate chamber. There, Henry
Wilson, the newly-elected Vice-president took
the oath of Office and proceeded to swear in the
newly elected senators. The procession then
moved to the east front of the Capitol General
Grant sat down in chair used by George Wash
ington ninety years before. / twas the first
time it had ever been employed in the inaugu-
ration ceremonies, but it was understood that it
should be used on such occasions by all succeed
ing Presidents. Chiefjustice Chase admin
istered the oath, and General Grant then read
short address. At the conclusion of the reading
heresumed his position in his open barouche,