Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1889-03-05
THE PROCESSION.
A Magnificent Display. in spite of a Drlv-
ing Rain.

A Magnificent Display. In spite of DrIv-
ing Rain.
AT so p. N. the procession moved from
the Capitol in driving rain, up Pennsylvania
avenue.
Surely there never was such another public
way as Pennsyiyan avenue, one so well
adapted for the elaborate pomp and circum-
stance of great popular demonstration such
as the inaugural procession. In ordinary
days, when the great thoroughfare is free
from ornamentation, the eye takes in its ma
iestc stretch from the fair white Capitol
crowning the hill, westward, to the point
where the massive portico OF the treasury
building cuts Off the view, is a novel sight.
But ON this 4ih of March, 1889, when, as if
to make amends for the foliage stripped off by
the blasts of winter, tall trunks and trails of
bunting spring up and bear vast powers of
various hued cloths, and flags and streamers
and lanterns add beauty TO architectural
forms, all full of grace, this grand avenue
fills with exultation the heart of every Amer
lean who gazes upon it and stamps upon his
mind picture never to be forgotten.
OF all the squares on the route those along
Pennsylvania avenue, between Seventh and
Twelfth streets, showed the most elaborate
decorations. Here are grcpcd number of
they honored the day with proper liberality.
1t would be impossible to convey any correct
lea of the adornments Of the avenue in de-
lail beyond those of few of the public build
ngs.
The treasury was remarkable exhibition
IF the success OF the decorators art. The
massive architecture of this vast structure
ioes not readily yield TO efforts to relieve its
majestic severity, but today the result was
5ery effective. Half a hundred of its great
Ionic columns We're closely wrapped with
American coiGrs crossed at the center with
mailer flags on gold tipped st .ves
The pediments ON the east and north and
outh bore graceful designs in hi-colored
bunting, forming background for gigantic
golden shields bearing tie great seal of the
treasury, while connecting them and framing
the whole picture was a scroll work of red
and blue bunting The grand stand below
the so 18th front was fringed with number
Of signal flags with their caba istic figures
Fags like these were also used to carry out a
pretty conceit and supplement the handsome
decorations of the state, war and navy de-
partrlent luilding.
Dropping from tie tip of the great time
ball IF 10 the four corners of the central
tower ON the eastern side, they were arranged
in or Ter so as to spell out 10 the initiated
''The president will arrive at IL meridian, !"
"Salute the president and Cheer On the
north or war department front an enormous
American banner on the central staff was
fianked ON each corner of the parapet by a
smaller flag representing the four arms of the
servicc-cavalIy infantry, artillery and the
signal corps.
The great white facade of the Metropolitan
hotel was divided into trianges by long lines
of bunting Pictures Of Washington and
the Goddess of Liberty adorned its front, and
over the entrance rose great arch bearing a
blazing eagle, surrounded by the inscription,
ssWelcome, President Harrison
On the frcnt of the Old National hoteI
pretty half rosettes Ia general feature) made
up of bright flags caught up on edge, capped
every one of the many windows, while here
also the national bird appeared above the
national coat of arms Across the way the
St James, newly painted, showed what might
be accomplished with shields and flags of red,
white and Elue, and with a sky line, made up
q little streamers of fantastic colors and de
| signs woven between its flag staffs.
In this section of the avenue Erin's green
banner was not missing, while a new variety
of cambria, bearing portraits of Harrison and
Morton and stars and stripes and eagles, -four
ished in great profusion. Well down town
towards the capitol the Hotel Belvidere made
a fine display with colored bunting in futed
| folds radiating from brilliant center formed
| by a national shield. .
Notwithstanding the bad weather, the pa
rade was the grandest of its kind ever seef
| in this country.