Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-03-05

| of soms OF its brilliance by a persistent
| drizzle Of rain, but the multitude not q
whit the less enthusiastic ON that account
Benjamin Harrison yesterday at noon took
the oath that made him twenty sixth presi-
dent of the United States then delivered his
inaugural address, and turning from the
cheers that split the heavens as he spoke his
final words. kissed his wife
To undertake to describe the scenes of in.
auguration day with that particularly which
they deserve would occupy a volume much
less the limits of a long telegram. The crowds
that the hotels and railway stations sent upon
the streets Of this city yesterday can only be
described enormous From every state
they came and from every territory Every.
where could be seen by 8 a. IN bodies of sol
diers, civil societies, political clubs, Grand
Army men, and other organizations, march
ing TO the music of brass band and fife and
drum to their stations, preparatory to taking
part in the grand parade. On all sides the
stars and stripes Lit up the heavens with its
glory of red, white and blue, and decorations.
elaborate and brilliant, were lavishly be-
slowed. The national capitol was alive with
the life of the whole nation
In the senate chamber, which was, as il
were, the initial point of the ceremonies Of
the day, preparations had been made for the
proceedings, and seats had been assigned the
different bodies Of men who were to be
witnesses Of them-the president and presi-
dent-elect, the diplomatic corps, senator's and
representatives al had their positions laid
out on the floor, and in the galleries other
positions bad been assigned for the president
and president-elect's wives and other ia
vored guests. Among those who had been
honored with a seat on the floor of the cham
Der was the venerable ex-Vice President
Hamlin.
Those who were expected began coming in
early and as the notables made their appear
ance ripples of applause broke forth in spite
Of the efforts of Presiding Officer Ingalls, to
preserve the solemn decorum that is tradi-
tional of the chamber. By IL O'Clock all the
seats assigned were occupied, except those set
apart for the outgoing and incoming presi-
dents and vice president. They arrived in the
following order: President Cleveland, q mo-
ment before noon, escorted by Senator Cock.
rell and the venerable Capt. Bassett, and fol-
by the outgoing cabinet; Gen. Harrison, on
the arm of Senator Hoar, announced by
Capt. Bassett as "the president-elect
OF the United States" As these
two distinguished arrivals we're an
nounced the audience arose, and the same
ceremony was repeated upon the arrival of
Vice President-elect Morton, who advanced
to the chair and was duly sworn In as vice
president, the retiring president of the
senate, Ingalls,, administering the oath.
ingalls, then in a few graceful words de-
hvered his charge over to Morton, and as the
hands Of the senate clock pointed to high
noon, announced the dissolution of the
Fiftieth senate. Vice President Morton then
took the chair and having had read the cali
for a special session of the Fifty First senate
the members were sworn in, and the new
presiding officer delivered the usual brief ad-
dress Of greeting to the body over which he
had been called to preside for four years.
Then came the principal event of the day.
The procession to the platform at the east
front Of the capitol was formed with Marshal
Wright, Of the supreme court. in the lead,
the others in the chamber taking the positions
assigned them, the president and president
reaching the platform the prssident-elect ad-
vanced with Chief Justice Fuller to the front,
a place near by being reserved for Mrs Har-
rison and the other members of the generals
family.
With uplifted right hand Gen. Harrison
then took the oath Of Office, repeating the
words distinctly and without tremor after
the chief justice, kissed the book, and turning
to the sea Of faces before, paused for a mo-
nient before commencing his inaugural ad-
dress.
He had to pause. As the last words of the
solemn oath died away there arose an &C
claim that swelled from the front of the
great throng to the fsr-distant rear, growing
in volume as it went until the roar that as.
cended was as the sound of many waters.
From the threats Of the tens OF thousands
came the salute that once to hear in one
mans honor would seem to be glory enough
for that man.
1t was some moments before silence, which
following such a tumult was impressive, was
obtained, and then Gen Harrison spoke as
follows:
There Is no constitutional or legal require
ment that the president shall take the oath of
office In the presence of the people. But there
Induction to office Of the chief executive OH
Ger Of the nation that from the beginning of
the government the people. to whose service
been called to witness the solemn ceremonial.
The oath taken in the presense of the people
becomes mutual covenant-the officer cove
nants TO serve the whole body Of the people by
a faithful execution of the laws, 30 that they
may be the unfailing defense and security Of
those who respect and observe them, and that
peither wealth, station nor the power of COM
binatiOns shall be able to evade their Just pen
altles or to wrest them from beneHoent pub