Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1889-03-08
WASHINGTON LETTER
Written and Compiled for the HERALD
WASHINGTON. March 4, 1889.

tue uldtNOi VI ~
changing of the head of the Gov
ernment-has been, for the twenty
third time, peaceably performed
Now let us see how it was done,
Imagine yourself on Pennsylvania
avenue, the grandest tbOroughtare
IN the world. Standing near the
Treasury department looking TO-
wards the Capitol yOu see a long
vista of red, white aud blue 10 every
conceivable form that the skilled
brains of artistic decorators 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 hags
flying from the tops of the build
ings. Lower the eye a little and
you see a half million human
beings packed on the hundreds Of
stands erected to view the grandest
parade seen IN Washington since
the great Army review, in 1867
The middle of the streets, lao feet
from curb TO curb, is entirely clear.
Suddenly music is heard, and away
down at the foot OF the Capitol
YOU see a small body Of men wear
ing gray overcoats, derby hats aud
each man carrying a cane sur
mounted by a small flag. Who
are they They are the $50 sur
vIyors 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
comm and of the famous 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 wome n
wave their handkercblets. They
halt in front of Wizards hotel to
await the coming OF their old com.
mauder. They have been assigned
the post of honor 10 the great
parade. Gen. Harrison himself
selected them as his body guard.
In few minutes there is a CON-
motion IN front Of the entrance to
the hotel where two open carriages
are standing, and Gen. Harrion
and Mr.. Cleveland, followed BY
Mr.. Morton, and a committee OF
Senators, are seen making 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 60.
Arrived at the Capitol Gen.
Harrison and Mr.. Morton proceed
at once TO the vice presidents room,
while Mr.. Cleveland goes to the
room, to perform his
last Official acts, by signing any
bills that the fftieth Congress may
pass in the dying hours.
Now we go to the Senate cham.
Der. At u o'clock exactly, Senator
ingalls, rsps the death knell of the
iftieth Congress. For a moment
all is confusion, and then Vice
President Morton, having pre-
vi Ously 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 orgsnIza-
ton of the Senate 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 de-
liver his inaugural address. All
eyes in the sea of upturned faces
that covers the great plaza are
turned toward the Speaker, and
ali ears strained to catch his words.
And such an address as it was;
the careful words of a statesman
who knows the needs of his country
aud who is full aware of the re
sponslbility that he is undertaking.
At Its conclusion, Chief Justice
Fuller advances with the Bible, for
the purpose of administering the
oath. AS Gen. Harrison raised
the book to his lips, a battery of
artillery boom ed forth the national
salute, to let the many thousands
who could not see, know that the
country had a new President. In
stantly a mighty shout arose that
seemed TO shake the foundations of
the capitol itself. None who heard
il are likely ever to forget 1t.
Then the procession IS reformed,
and proceeds up the avenue to the
White House, where the President
and ex.President take their places
IN the reviewing stand, there to
.emain for hours until the monster
procession has marched past.
/ should like to give you full /
description of the parade, of the !
of the procession of
clubs, and of the In
lugural ball, beautiful beyond
description, but space fOrblds.
Let us hope that this day 30
.uspicionsIy begun and ended will