The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1889-03-07

and woman, anxious, interested, sppre-
htn3ive, delighted.
After perfunctory service in the SEN
ate Chamber the procession formed.
The judges of the Supreme Court
looking like so many old women in their
black silk gowns, the diplomatic corps
gorgeous in their raiment, plumes, dec
orations, buttons, our own somber clad
Senators and Representatives,, distin-
guised men from every cline, with cor
responder $ and reporters galore, moved
IN al cad, followed by three men, ies-
tined TO form a historic group in the
presence of an assembled multitude.
There it seems to me was subject fit
for the cleverest artist.
On the left stood President Buchanan
tall, stately, digDitied and courteous to
a degree. On the right Abraham Lin
coin, taller than Buchanan, with a son.
Der, solemn look, his great dark eyes
looking quietly and mOurnfully, even in
this hour of significant triumph. upon
his fellow men, so soon to be face to
face with bloody intent and hostile
hs Irts Between them shorter and an
older man, Chief Justice Taney.
He presented venerable appearance
Ia leonine head, a face scared and
scanned with deep lines of thought, with
eyes that seemed to pentra,e ones very
Iul and dignity withal so natural, so
unaffectedly sign fican', as to impress
every onloUker with a SENSE Of lofty pur
pose and honesty of opinion. A mighty
cheer rose from the people as Mr.. Lin
coin stepped to the front and delivered
his memorable address. and then, hav-
ing finished, he turned, and in the pres
ence of that great audience took the
oath of his ma jostic office.
Then began Republican rule, which
lasted through a momentous period, from
1861 down to 1885, during which the ma
tion sprang from lusty youth into matur.
ity of manhood, proving lis right to
stand among the nations of the earth
not alone by virtue of its prosperity and
extraordinary growth and simplicity cf
institutions, but by reason of its ability
| 10 manage its own affairs in its own
way even at the cost of millions Of lives
and billions OF money.
But it ended.
And when it ended its old time oppo-
nent. the Democratic party, which had
preceded it for fifty years, came again
to the front, and wac escorted, in the
person of Grover Cleveland, TO the Capi
tol of the nation, garlanded with Mug
wumpery, rejoicing in prospect OF re-
newed succession. As Lincoln's inaug
uration was interesting because it not
only marked the end of the Democratic
rule, but began Republican rule, &C
Clevelands was interesting because il
marked the end of Republican rule, and
apparently a new beginning of long con
tinued Democratic ascendency.
There was not much excitement
judged from the popular point of view
but there was intense interest in all sec
tions of the land. From every State
great delegations rushed rejoicingly tc
the capital. The year Of Democratic
jubilee had come. They struck the sym
balls aud they beat the drum. Look
back. for second only at the groupings
of 1861, and tell me Of them all who re-
mained to witness the renewed supre
macy of the Democratic party. LIN
coins career was closed by the bullet ol
he assassin Booth and he took his place
as the martyred President for all time
and so long as earth endures,
Buchanan was gathered to his fathers
peacefully and in accordance with g
long, patient, exemplary life. Chiei
Justice Tany, his name never to be for
gotten. author of the famous Dred Scott
decision and formuator of an idea thai
had reigned for century. that negroes
had mo rights which white men were
bound TO respect," also passed away
years and years ago, The bright ano
beautious maiden who presided ovel
Buchanan's household is now a mature6
and matronly mother. Her successor
from the far West sleeps the eterna
sleep, and all the associates, friends, ad
visors, close counselors of the man who
next to Washington, is best beloved oi
all our Presidents. sleep in the oblivion
OF forever or shout with him hosannat
to tho highest, as the case may be. Ever
the Democratic party. which then stood
sullen and thoughtful by the side OF tht
Republican party full Of joy and exulta
tion, no longer existed when Grover
Cleveland came to the front, A new
party with the old name bore him tc
Washington, and there with fewei
troops, with less apprehension of diff
Guilty, with no special embarrassment
beyond the surplus in the Treasury anC
a million applicants for a hundred
L0Ou6dHu OlllCtbf ut LOOh NhG OhNHs
was a cheerless day, and the wind. .sharI
and penetrating. cut across a multitu
Idinous gathering that stood, many bare
headed, as the President elect began hi
address.
Cleveland never looked better than OF
this occasion.
His coat was buttonen tight about hil
portly form. One hand was thrust int
i,s folds, the other behind his back, anC
with voice clear and ringing he utter
ed his address, in a manly clean cut anC
forceful way that produced favorable
impression upon friend and foe. Then
turning to take the oath, with those WHIT
stood beside him, he formed the centra
figure of second historic group. Or
the left stood President Arthur, bis fact
saddened by disappointment, lined anC
marked by just appreciation Of the un
expected responsibilities thrust upor
him, with manners gentle and courteous
with bearing becoming his high sta
tion.
On the right the President elect, con
splcuous for girth, wearing b'hoy mus
tache, without associate beard, quiet
self possessed, and not in the least sur
prised that he should have been selected
as Chief Magistrate of 60. 900, 900 OF peo
; Pile, and between them a short, incon
spruous parsonage, with long beard anC
thick gray bair, Chief Justice Waite, on,
Of the best minds, one Of the pures
hearts, one of the gentlest dispositions
one Of the most equitable justices oul
Supreme Bench ever knew,
Alack and alas
IL 80 soon they were 10 be done for. W.
/, wonder what they were begun for. Fou
, little years have gone their useful way
and the Democ attic party is emphalical
ly informed that it is time for 1t to sleI
, down and get out. The Republican,
= have come TO their own again, and IN
7 few brief days group which may, o.
: may not, in later years, be regarded o.
: significant, and of sufficient value TO b.
2 called historic, will stand upon the ssm,
spot, and go through the same ceremo
. mes, as those gone through by LincolI
! in 1861 and Cleveland in 1885, but unde
] what different circumstances Liuooll
= faced with rebellion, Clev, land face,
with prosperity, Harrison faced will
= opportunity. The responsibilities pu
Y upon Abraham Lincoln, and the might
A men he brought into his Cabinet, than
e heaven, were not part and parcel U
j. Cleveland's weighty duty. Equally fOI
tunate 10 Mr.. Harrison, IN that he find
9 his country divided, not with hostile ID