The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1889-01-15

! To yoa my friends, fair daughters and gallant
! sons of Florida who in these imposing ceremonies
aud this grand demonstration attending the in
auguration of the incoming administration do
/ honor to your State, in her nane, permit me to
| extend my thanks.
congratulate our citizen soldiers on this admir-
able military display, of which any state might feel
Justly proud. A well organized volunteer sodiery
/ is safeguard in the preservation OF liberty and
the perpetuation of peace. l sincerely hope that
you may never be called on to engage in the deadly
| occupation of war But, with the record of the
Florida soldiers in the war (applaHse] some of
whom, my old comrades | see around me, should
your country need your services, am sure you
would prove as valiant in battle as you are hand
some in parade. lGreat applause
In conclusion 1 earnestly ask OF all our people
their sustaining aid to the administration in the
discharge of the duties which devolve upon it. Let
us all, with unsefsh devotion to our beloved
State, and with purpose single to her prosperity,
strive to continue TO her the blessings which fl w
from good government.
As the Governor closed his address the bands
began 10 play, cannon to boom, and the multi
tude to yell and wave improvised banners alott,
until one could hardly hear himself think.
Governor Fleming then held an informal re-
ception, which was forced upon him by The
happy crowd, and general old time hand
shaking continued for quite while.
The merry making of the day closed with
grand inaugural ball at the Leon, which, not
outstanding the immense crowd, was pro-
nounced big success The parlors WAS beau
tuly decorated with evergreens and flowers,
and just over the mantcl to the right of the en-.
trance of the main parlor was magnificent
evergreen motto, FLEMlNG.'
For an hour before dancing began Governor
and Mrs. Fleming, assisted by Governor and
Mrs. Perry, Ex-Governor Bloxham and wife,
Ex-Governor Walker and wife, Miss Fleming,
Private Secretary TRAY and others, held a re-
ceptiOn in the par0rs OF the Leon and were kept
busy shaking hands with the youth, beauty and
intelligence, representative OF every section of our
fair State.
Dancing began about O'clock, in both the
parlor and the large dining hall, but the crush
so great that there was very little room 10
move around. The dining hall was handsomely
decorated with flags, bunting, evcrgreens am.
flowers The along vcrandas, roomy rotuuda,
Railways, smoking rooms and every other avail
able point on the first floor Of the large hojcl
were crowded until il vas difficult to move in
any direction, but all seemed TO enjoy themselves
and all say that the occasion was grand success
in every particular. There were many elegant
toilets worn; in fact, many thai it would b.
matter of impOssbiiy tor us to do Justice To- Il
description of even few of them. The rooms.
sparkled with beautiful faces of fair ladies from
jacksonville, Orlando Pensacola. Monticello
Thomasville Marianna PAakl, Quincy, Lake
City Gainesville, DeFnuiak and other cities and
their movements to the time of the excellent
music was grace itself
Inauguration Day Of 1889 will ever have
bright page in the memory OF all FlordanS, and
all wish Governor Fleming prosperous and
successful term of office.