Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1885-03-06

CrGII, OF Washington. Luis CoAediACO
more men than any other, stretching out
to an almost interminable length. The
most prominent of these bodies have here
tofore been mentioned. They were all
out in full force, together with scores Of
smaller but not less enthusiastic and
praiseworthy clubs. They came from
ALL QUARTERS OF THE UNION,
very few states being unrepresented. The
fine bearing and gentlemanly department
of all these men was the subject Of much
remark. They well deserved the gener-
Gus applause they received. For three
hours and a quarter this wonderful COL
umn of men swept by. The soldiers
marched in company front. and other or
CARNATIONS generally eight abreast. More
than twenty-five thousand men were in
the procession. There has never before
been an Inaugural parade that was more
than half so large. After giving all due
credit to the delightful weather, the great
demonstration must fairly be considered
as an Indication Of the tide Of popular
sentiment toward the party whose success
was
SO GLoRIOUsLY CROWNED TODAY.
1t may be given here as an interesting
coincidence, that the weather Oh the day
James Buchanan was inaugurated was
almost identical with that of to-day. At
all of the six Republican inaugurations
since that time, it was either wet and
dismal OR freezlngly cold.
The entire route of the procession was
about three miles. The advanced COM
panies passed over the line Of march and
were dismissed one hour before the rear
of the column passed down Capitol Hill.
The pageant was massive and majestic as
we'll as significant, far exceeding all expec-
tations.
THE STREET DECORATIONS
were fully in harmony with the spirit of
the occasion, both in their beauty and be-
wildering prnfuslon. Never was Wash
ington decked in such gay attire. Look
ing down the avenue the air seemed to be
full Of futtering flags and streamers. Ev-
cry building was decorated with bunting,
in the national coors. Much of the dra-
and beautiful. Portraits Of the new
President and Vice. President Wera every
where displayed upon the outer walls -
Patriotic emblems and devices of all kinds
were seen on every hand. The fronts of
many buildings were almost hidden from
sight by the beautiful decorations. For
materials for this purpose, the dry guods
al
utterly exhausted, and were wholly una
BILE to supply the demand.
HOW WASHINGTON FED
SO many people is almost mystery. But
they managed to get along some way and
were ready for the exercises Of the even
ing. The principal attraction for the great
mass of the people was the fireworks.
These were shot Off early, in order to en-
able all who wished to do so TO see them
and then be in ample time for the ball.
The display began at half-past seven, in
the great open space between the Treas
ury and the Monument grounds, known as
the White Lot. It was one of the most
brilliant exhibitions of the kind ever given
in this country. Some Of the set pieces
were conspicuously fac, particularly one
representing Niagara Falls. and another
giving superb view of the Capitol, with
large portraits of
MR.. CLEVELAND AND MR.. HENDRICKS.
The latter were so truthful that they were
at once recognized By the spectators. Tho
crowd in attendance was on the same
scale as everything else appertainlng to
the Inauguration. Not less than hum
dred thousand people throngsd the White
Lot to enjoy the entertainment.
OF course great many people went to
the ball, but good many more did not.
The latter wandered about the streets
in crowds, listening to the music of the
bands and watching the movements OF
parading bodies, which seemed to never
grow weary in giving vent to their en-
thusiasm in continued shouting. The
Flambean Club, of Topeka, Kansas,
marched through number of streets with
their torches, discharging fireworks in pro-
fusion all along the route. During the
evening many of the clubs and military
companies retired from the field. with
drums beating and colors flying. leaving
fer their homes by railroad.
AT THE DEPoTs,
most of the day, the crush was simply ter
rife. The morning trains brought in peo-
pie by the thousands from points within q
radius Of thousand miles. They stream
ed out of the depots only to be lost in the
mighty gathering. During the evening
the conditions were reversed, and thou
sands of people wanted to go home, all by
the same train. The railroads were taxed
to their utmost. Between Baltimore an(
Washington they were wholly given up tt
the demands of passenger traffic, freight
and all other trains being suspended.
THE GRAND BALL
was in all respects magnificent success
Indeed, nothing else could have been ex-
pected in view Of the high state of exhila
ration that the public mind was in durne
the day. The place fitted up for this pur-
pose, at an expense of nearly 500 600, is
the large interior area or court OF the new
and yet. unfinished pension building. 1
is probably the finest ball room ever seer
in the country. Imagine q dancing foo
800 feet long and 116 feet wide. upon wbici
1000 persons can dance at once without
treading upon each others toes Fifty fee
above the floor is a wooden roof whic1
was thrown over it for the occasion. L
would seem that decorative skill had ex