, 1885-03-03
INAUGURATION DAYS.
THE WAY DIFFERENT PRESIDENTS
HAVE ASSUMED OFFICE.
"Reminiscences OF . Man Who Has At
tended Twenty Presidential Inan-
gurations-Liveiy Scenes which
Never Got Into the Papers

Washington Cor. Philadelphia Timesl
Capt Daniel Armistead, a venerable citi-
zen Of 50, now living on the farm of his son,
near Falls church, on the Virginia shore of
Potomac. has witnessed twenty presidential
inaugurations, undoubtedly an experience of
which no other American can boast More
over. the old gentleman has been an acute
observer of eventa during his long life and
his "reminiscences are exceptionally racy and
interesting.
81 was present at the second Inauguration
Of Jefferson said Capt. Armistsad, abut l
must admit that I do not recollect much
about It I was then only 8 years old
l went 10 tho capitol with my father. Ire
member Mr.. Jefferson when be came into
the senate and took the oath He was
dressed In brown clothes, and he spoke so
low that the people could not hear him.
II have q very lively recollection of the
Inauguration Of James Madison In 1909. The
whole population turned put 10 witness the
ceremonies. There were 10000 people at the
east front Of the capitol and there was such
a pressure to get near the platform where
Mr.. Madison stood that several ladies tainted
and there were soma fights between rowdies.
After the Inauguration Mr.. Madison tried to
get as>s from tho crowd, but they followed
his carriage to the White HOUSE and such
cheering / have mover heard since. The
president was dressed In homsspun, and that
seemed TO create mors enthusiasm than NY
thing else. The ladies vent Wild about Mrs.
Madison.
Tho British having burned tho capitol. the
Inauguration OF James Monros, In 1877, took
place In Congress hall. His inaugural speech
was a from an sievatsd platform east Of
the capitol, which was thon rebuilt. str.
Monr0u rrra In a row~{uUr au~u 30 frwo
white horses. followed by an immense pro-
cassion- There was a brilliant scene in the
senate chamber. Many richly dressed la
dies occupied chairs on the senate floor, tho
senators standing. After the ceremonies
there was more artillery firing than I havc
ever heard at any other Inauguration"
Capt Armistead gives q graphic account
Of the impressive scene at tho Inauguration
Of John Quincy Adams, In 1925. Gen Jack
son, who had been a composition for the
presidency, was also present and excited
great applause by his public congratulation
Of Mr.. Adhma ~ have never seen any ac-
count OF It," said the venerable captain,
@but ! can tell you that there WA plenty Of
rowdyism In that day. Why, when Gen.
jackson came forward and shook hands with
Mr.. Adams a man in the crowd waved his
hat and called out: Three cheers for Jack
SOM He was very drunk and there were
plenty Of other drunken people there and
they cheered for jackson. About a dozen
mon were so noisy that the police q 10
take them out OF tho capitol and tho con-
fusion was terrible. That night while tho
ball was going on crowds walked along the
streets and sang jackson campaign songs
Several pistol shots were fired. The saloons
were kept oPcn all night and there were anJ
number Of nghts.
Amt nofhfuU ooourrad In Waehfn0tor that
would equal the scenes that took place atithe
Inauguration of jackson In 1899. II seemed
that every bully and desperate in tho United
States had suddenly come TO the capital
One-hhlf the men had their pantaloons In
their boots, and some Of them wore pistols In
full Wow. 1t was the biggest swarm Of poo
pile over seen here before, most Of the visit
ors being from the south and west Tennessee
being especially represented. Every man
carried a hickory stick and some women
wore necklaces made of small hickory nuts
fancifully painted. Ono lady had a bonnet
made OF hickory leaves, and several horses
in the procession had h~ickory-bark brides
Such yelling you never heard II was like a
whole tribe Of Indians let looss on the streets
Of Washington. Gen. jackson seemed To en-
joy these outlnndish demonstrations He
kept HIS hat Off and smiled at the crowd Of
y~ollcrz"
Capt Armistead WAS at the White Houss
nfter the Inauguration and he gives n lively
account Of the extraordinary scene that was
enacted there. History furnishes a faithful
record OF President Jackson's extreme de-
mocracy, but he doubtless regretted that no
let 1t go so far on that day. His idea was
that he was the peoples president and he
wanted to give the people a cordial welcome
at the executive mansion Several hogs
heads of orange punch were accordingly pre-
pared for tho crowd, ice cream and wines
for tho ladies, and everybody invited.
There must have boon 10, 200 people around
the White House," said Capt Armistead.
at was really a bowling mob, the greater
part OF It drunk and disordely. The back
woods rowdy was there in his glory. About
fifty coiored servants were engaged in dip
ping out the orange punch and serving it In
tumblers on walters, but the crowd was i'm
patient and cursed and yelled. Some of the
walters were knocked over and the tumblers
broken. Several Of the negro servants wore
knocked down The carpets were wet with
punch. Men jumped upon the damask-cov-
cred chairs with their muddy boots and
called for whisky. There was nobody 10
keep order and confusion reigned. Finally
several tubs OF punch were carried outside
the house and tho crowd followed and that
was the only way the roughs could be got
ton out Of the White House,
"The Inauguration OF Martin Van Buren,
in 1887 did not create much excitement,
though there was a great crowd there. The
procession was the longest and most orderly
that had ever boon seen in Washington.
There was much more curiosity TO see Old
Hickory than Van Buren, The two left the
White House together In a splendid carriage
which had bean a from the wood OF the
old frigate Constitution and presented to
President jackson by tho Democrats Of New
York.
Tho day OF Gen. Harrison's Inauguration
was the loveliest ! ever saw In Washington, :"
said Capt Armistead. 81 was opposite the
residence Of Col Seaton, editor OF The In
telligencer, when Harrison came out with
him and mounted his milk-white horse. He
was a Notwithstanding man on horse
back. He took his place In a hollow square
OF cavalry and rode that way TO the capitol
Flags were flying and drums teating every
where. The vast multitude cheered con-
stantly and all the churc bells IN the city
rang merrfly. Whole companies OF men
wore coonsldn caps and other grotesque trap
pings Six white horses were harnessed to
a car on which there was a spinning jenny
in full operation. Other wagons were loaded
with miniature log cabins and cider barrels.
An immense log cabin on wheels was drawn
by thirt cen white horses.
Her Quiet Remhrh.