Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-03-01
INAUGURATION DAYS.
THE WAY DIFFERENT PRESIDENTS
HAVE ASSUMED OFFICE.
"Reminiscences of Man Who Has At
tended Twenty Presidential Inau-
gurati" Lively Scenes Which
Never Got Into the Papers.
washington Cor Philadelphia Times I

Washington Cor Philadelphia Timesl
Capt Daniel Ar;aistead, a venerable citi-
zen of So, 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 events during his long life and
his "reminiscences are exceptionally racy and
interesting.
81 was present at the second Inauguration
of Jefferson" said Capt. Armistead, "but
must admit that do not recollect much
about it. | was then only years old
l went to the capitol with my father. re-
member Mr.. Jefferson when he 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.
Il have a very lively recollection of the
Inauguration of James Madison in 1909. The
whole population turned out to witness the
ceremonies. There were 600 people at the
east front Of the capitol and there was such
pressure to get near the platform where
Mr. Madison stood that several ladies tainted
and there were some fights between rowdies.
After the Inauguration Mr. Madison tried to
get away from the crowd, but they followed
his carriage to the White House and such
cheering | have never heard since The
president was dressed in homespun, and that
seemed to create more enthusiasm than any
thing else. The ladies went wild about Mrs
Madison.
"The British having burned the capitol, the
Inauguration of James Monroe in 1917, took
place in Congress hall His inaugural speech
was made from an elevated platform east Of
the capitol, which was then rebuilt. Mr.
Monroe rode in a carriage drawn by two
white horses, followed by an Immense pro
cession. There was a brilliant scene in this
senate chamber. Many richly dressed To-
dies occupied chairs on the senate floor, tn,
senators standing. After the ceremonies
there was more artillery firing than have
ever heard at any other inauguration"
Capt. Armistead gives graphic account
of the impressive scene at the Inauguration
of John Quincy Adams, in 1926. Gen. Jack
son, who had been a competitor for the
presidency, was also present and excited
great applause by his public congratulation
of Mr.. Adams. al have never seen any ac-
count of it." said the venerable captain,
but can tell you that there was plenty Of
rowdyism in that day. Why, when Gen.
Jackson came forward and shook hands with
hat and called out: Three cheers for Jack
sonr He was very drunk and there were
plenty of other drunken people there and
they cheered for Jackson. About dozen
men were so noisy that the police had to
take them out of the capitol and the con-
fusion was terrible. That night while the
ball was going on crowds walked along the
streets and sang Jackson campaign songs
n Tha
were kept open all night and there were any
number of fights.
"But nothing occurred in Washington that
would equal the scenes that took place at the
Inauguration of jackson in 1929 1t seemed
that every bully and desperate in the United
States had suddenly come to the capital
One-half the men had their pantaloons in
their boots, and some of them wore pistols in
full view. 1t was the biggest swarm Of peo-
pie ever 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. One lady had a bonnet
made of hickory leaves, and several horses
in the procession had hickory-bark brides
Such yelling you never heard. 1t was like a
of Washington Gen. jackson seemed to en-
joy these outlandish demonstrations. H.
kept his hat off and smiled at the crowd OF
yellers."
Capt Armistead was at the White House
after the inauguration and he gives a lively
account of the extraordinary scene that was
enacted there. History furnishes faithful
record OF President Jackson's extreme de-
mocracy, but he doubtless regretted that he
let it 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 the crowd, ice cream and wines
for the ladies, and everybody invited.
There must have been 10000 people around
the White House" said Capt Armistead.
ut was really bowling mob, the greater
part of it drunk and disordely. The back
woods rowdy was there in his glory. About
fifty colored servants were engaged in dip
ping out the orange punch and serving it in
tumblers on waters, 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 were
knocked down. The carpets We're wet with
punch. Men jumped upon the damask-cov-
called for whisky. There was nobody e.
keep order and confusion reigned. Finally
several tubs of punch were carried outside
the house and the crowd followed and that
was thu only way the roughS could be got
ton out of the White House,
"The inauguration of Martin Van Bursn
in 1887 did not create much excitement
though there was great crowd there. The
procession was the longest and most orderly
that had ever been seen in Washington.
There was much more curiosity to see Old
Hickory than Van Buren. The two left the
White House together in splendid carriage
which had been made from the wood of the
old frigate Constitution and presented to
President jackson by the Democrats Of New
York
"The day of Gen Harrison's Inauguration
was the loveliest ever saw in Washington, !"
said Capt Armistead. Il 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 magnifcent-looking 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 church bells in the city
rang merrily. Whole companies Of men
wore coonskin 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.
AWAY FROM NEW YORK.