Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-03-09
eATHs INAUGURATION NOTES.
low Some OF the Distinguished People
Looked-The Two Presidents.

Gath, who has seen every i'm portan
pageant in America in thirty years, say
Harrison's inaugural parade was the
greatest, despite the rain. Of some o.
the prominent figures in the lnaugura
ton exercises, in the senate chamber
Gath writes:
Adj looked at Hannibal Hamlin, the
hepmate of Abraham Lincoln, leaning
upon stick, and thin and venerable,
his bald head skirted with white hair
his shoulders bent forward, but the eager
sociability of old times marking his ges
lures and laughter as he talked with
Eugene Hale.
A burst of applause greeted Mr..
Blaine's arrival with bright eyes amid
his white clothing of hair. Dir. Blaine
was closely studied as he sat between
Stewart and Hale; his unmistakable face
had a color slightly ashen. Age gave
him the appearance of old Palmerston or
| Derby or some of the statesmen by pro-
fession. He wore brown kids. kept his
hat in his hand, and laughed like a boy
with Senator Payne, of Ohio.
McKiniay, looking more like Napoleon
Bonaparte than ever, entered, and was
silently, nysteriously regarded.
| The diplomatic corps, ali attlred like
! showmen, entered as walk-around IN a
circus, with faces that remind you Of
your barber and hotel waiter.
The retiring president looked very
| large and portly; upon his countenance
was an expression Of authority mixed
with bashfulness; he held his head a lit
tie upon one side and walked carefully
in the manner OF a very heavy man. To
the audience he paid no attention, and
looked directly before him at the presid-
ing officer and at the place where he was
to sit. He was clothed in complete black.
and there was something Of the look Of a
Spanish captain-general. such as the late
Count Valmaceda of Cuba, IN his mill
tary shoulders and large, well-fed port.
In a very few minutes Harrison entered
upon the arm OF Senator Hoar-silght
small. very genteel, in fine, home
sDun black cloth He walked with Q.
spring. step, seemed perfectly at home,
vet detferentIal, and was observed to have
the same rather ashen look as Blaine and
Randall. He stood very erect, had his
coat buttoned fully up, which revealed
his delicate frame, and when he came in
front of the chair he bowed, turned and
bowed again and sat down, facing the
audience.
In comparison with Cleveland, Harri-
son was like pigeon as compared with
a large duck. The ex-presldent had
been the picture of official life past and
enjoved The labor of the executive
Office seemed to have worn into his
countenance, and sedentary occupation
had made him almost ponderouS. Yet
he had fine face III many of its features,
especially the brow and eyebrows.
Harrison had been awaited by his
friends with some trepadition, for they
thought that his low stature and unan-
bilious couutenance, would leave him
behind Mr.. Cleveland's large deport-
ment. They We're delighted to see that
the new president had the air
and carriage of man Of the
world who was familiar with
great pubic scenes. If he had
been a bridegroom walking up the aisle
of some great church to meet his bride
he could not have worn nicer mixture
of well-bred modesty and official self
possession. His feet seemed 10 be small
and his limbs delicate and high-bred.
His buttoned coat, which was extremely
well fitting, heightened his trunk and
took away from his diminutiveness.
yet quiet. Nothing was to be desired In
the arrangement Of his hair and lines.
As nice looking president ruler as
rather quickly up the broad aisle, and as
he came the entire audience arose as had
been the case when Cleveland entered.
Bowling to the front and again to the
house, HrrrisOn took his chair, and all
excitement was over.
In minute or two entered the vice
PRESIDENTIAL, business like. possibly a
little more fiuttered than Harri-
son. He somewhat showed his years.
In minute ingalls, voice rang out
deep aud impressive, making his adieu
to the senate. Then followed prayer in
a decidedly Irish accent. paying due
respect to the retiring president and ask
ing many blessings upon the new magis-
trate Then Mr.. Morton took the oath
in quiet way and made little speech
in modest voice, which was yet clear.
The distance from the senate door to
the portico of the rotunda was about 400
feet. There strange spectacle was ex-
hlbited of the rain falling in light floods,
the sky perfectly leaden, and yet an
enormous multitude, numbering thou
sands, standing under umbrellas or bare
headed, with the military flowing off to
the slopes and environs of the Capitol
hill When the head of the procession
went through the bronze doors mighty
cheer rose from this audience.
The retiring president accompanied
Mr.. Harrison to his stand with his over
coat upon him and attempting to hold
his hat awhile in his hand Harrison
drew forth his manuscript and faced the
audience. Again he was loudly cheered |
For part of the time President Cleve- |
land held an umbrella over his head |
making very pretty picture of official
assistance across party lines in the face
of the people. By suggestion General /
Harrison put his hat on in a little while /
and proceeded with his address. Not
many persons stood out upon the plat
form, fearing to encounter the rain. The |
flood was also SO hard upon the people |
that after many of these had satisfied /
their first view they began to depart |
many thousands held their /
ground during the whole address. The (
voice OF Harrison, emotional and mill /
tary, penetrated the crowd, but those /
who hid back under the roof OF the por-
tico could only hear him when now
and then he turned his head from side /
to side.