Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1889-03-14
Washington Letter.
az fim our Regular Correspondent

eutu htVSiucnt " tilu Iulttu otiits.
This is destined for all time 10 DO d
led letter day ia the annals Of The Re-
publican party MS well rs in those Of the
country.
Once more the control Of every branch
Of the government is in the hsnds of
the Republican party. 10 which the
country owes the greatest period OF
prosperity il ever enjoyed.
To-day the ceremony, which is the
marvel of all nations-the changing of
the head of the Government-has been,
for the twcnty-tbird time, peaceably
performed.
Now let US sac how it was done.
Imagine yourself on Pennsylvania
avenue, the grandest thoroughfare in
the world. Standing near the Treasury
department looking towards the Capitol
you see a long vista of red, white and
blue in every conceivable form that the
skilled brains of artistic decorators
could invent TO make the fronts OF the
houses on both sides of the nohle avenue
beautiful. This is topped of by hum
areas OF national fsgs flying from the
tops OF the buildings. Lower the eye a
little and you see half million human
beings packed on the hundreds of
stands erected 10 view the grandest
parade seen in Washington since the
great Army review in 1865. The middle
of the street, l40 feet from curb TO curb,
is entirely clear. Suddenly music is
heard, and away down at the foot of
the Capitol you see small body of men
wearing gray overcoats, derby hats and
each m an carrying cane surmounted
by small flag Whn are theys They
are the l50 survivors OF the Seventeen
Indiana Gen. Harrison's old regiment.
They are under the command of Major
Samuel Merrill, who succeeded Gen.
Harrison and who retained cammand of
thu faaloua regiment until 1t was mus.
tered out in 1865. Tramp. tramp,
tramp, with the steady march of yeter-
ans they come up the avenue, while
men cheer aud women wave thej, hand
kerchicfs, They halT ip fyopt Of Will
lara.s hotel to an ait the conf. G Of their
old commander, They have been as
signed the post of honor In the great
parade. Gen. Harrison himself select
ed them as his body guard.
In few minutes there is a commo-
ton in front Of the entrance TO the hotel
where two open carriages are standing,
and General Harrison and MIR. Cleve-
land, followed by Mr.. Morton, and
eomMitlee vi Senators, are seen mak.
ing their way to the carriage. Taking
their seats, all hands doff their hats to
the veterans, and the start is made for
the Capitol. Cheer after cheer greets
them as they go.
Arrived at the Capitol Gen. Harrison
and Mr.. Morton proceed at once to the
Vice Presidents room, while Mr.. Cleve-
land goes 10 the Presidents room to
perform his last official acts by sign
ing any bills that the Aftieth Congress
may pass in It's dying hours.
Now we go 10 the Senate chamber.
AT ~ O'Clock exactly, Senator Ingalls,
raps the death knell of the fiftieth Con-
gress. Fora moment all il confusion.
and then Vice President Morton, hav-
ing previously taken the oath of Office,
rises and calls TO order the extra session
of the Senate of the fifty-hrst Congress.
Gen. Harrison and Mr. Cleveland enter
the room and take seats in front of the
presiding officer. As soon as the or
ganizntion OF the Senate IL completed
procession is formed to march to the
East PorticO, where the event Of the
day is to take place. Arrived on the
platform, when all are seated, Gen.
Harrison rises to deliver bis inaugural
address. All eyes in tho sea of upturned
faces that covers the great plaza are
turned toward the speaker, and all ears
strained to catch his words. And such
an address as it was; the careful words
of q statesman who knows the needs of
his country and who is full aware of the
responsibility that he is undertaking.
At its conclusion, Chief Justice Fuller
advances with the Bible, for the pur-
pose of administering the oath. AS
Gen. Harrison raised the book to his
lips, battery of artillery doomed
forth the national salute, to let the
many thousands who could not see,
know that the country had a new Presi-
dent. Instantly mighty shout arose
that seemed to shake the foundations
of the Capitol itself More who heard
it are likely ever to forget it.
Then the procession is reformed, and
proceeds up the avenue to the White
House, where the President and ex-
President take their places on the re-
viewing stand, there TO remain for
hours until the monster procession has
marched past.
| should like to give you a full des-
cription of the parade; of the fireworks;
of the procession Of Flambeau clubs,
and Of the inaugural bali, beautiful
beyond description, but space forbids.
Let us hope that this day so aus
piciously begun and ended will inaug-
urate an era of peace, plenty and pros
perity for all.
The peculiar purifying and building
up powers of Hoods Sarsaparills make