New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1889-03-13
WASHINGTON LETTER.

red letter day in the annals of the re-
publican party as well as those Of the
country.
Once more the control of every
branch of the Government is in the
hands of the republican party, to which
the country owes the greatest period Of
prosperity it 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 twenty-third time, peaceably
performed.
Now let us see how it was done.
Imagine yourselves on Pennsylvania
avenue, the grandest thoroughfare in
the world. Standing near the Treasury
department looking towards the Capt.
tol you see Q long vista. of red, white
and blue in every conceivable form
that the skilled brains of artistic decor
ators could invent TO make the fronts Of
the houses on both sides of the noble
avenue beautiful. This is topped off
by hundreds of national flags flying
from the tops of the buildings. Lower
the eye little and you see a half mil
lion human beings packed on the hum
dreds of stands erected to view the
grandest parade seen in Washington
since the great Army review in 1865.
The middle of the street, 140 feet from
curb to curb, is entirely clear. Sud-
denly music is heard, and away down
at the foot Of the Capitol you see a
small body of men wearing gray over
coats, derby hats and each man carry
ng cane surmounted by a small flag.
Who are they? They are the $50 sur
vivors Of the Seventieth Indiana-Gen.
Harrison's old regiment. They are un-
der the command Of Major Samuel
Merrill, who succeeded Gen. Harrison,
and who retained command of the IA
nous regiment until it was mustered
out in 1865. Tramp, Tramp, Tramp,
with the steady march of veterans they
come up the avenue, while men cheer
and shout, and women wave their hand
kerchiefs, They halt in front of Will
lard's hotel to await the coming OF their
old commander. They have been as
signed the post of honor in the great
parade. Gen. Harrison himself selec-
ted them as his bodyguard.
In few minutes there is a commo-
ton in front of the entrance to the ho-
tel where two open carriages are stand
ing, and Gen. Harrison and Mr.. Ceve.
land followed by Mr.. Morton, and a
committee of Senators, are seen max
ing their way to the carriages. 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 e-president's room, while Mr.. Cleve.
land goes to the Presidents room to
perform his last official acts, by signing
any bills that the fiftieth Congress may
pass in its dying hours.
Now we 60 to the Senate chamber.
At II o'clock exactly, Senator Ingalls,
raps the the death knell of the tiftieth
| Congress. For moment all is confu-
sion, and then Vice-President Morton,
having previously taken the oath OF
Office, rises and calls to order the extra
session of the Senate of the fifty. first
Congress. Gen. Harrison and Mr..
Cleveland enter the room and take
seats in front of the presiding officer.
as soon as the organization Of the Sen
ate is completed, a procession is formed
to march to the east portico, where the
event OF the day is to take place. Ar.
rived on the platform, when all are
seated, Gen. Harrison rises to deliver
his inaugural address. All eyes of the
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 statesman
who knows the needs of his county and
who is full aware of the responsibility
that he is undertaking. At its conclu-
sion, Chief Justice Fuller advances
with the Bible, for the purpose of ad.
ministering the oath. As Ger. Harri'
son raised the book to his lips, a battery
OF artillery doomed forth the national
salute, to let the many thousands who
could not see, know that the country
had new President. Instantly 8
mighty shout arose that seemed tc
shake the foundations of the capitol it
self. None who heard it are likely ever
to forget it.
Then the procession is reformed, and