Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1893-03-15
SCENES AND INCIDENTS,
Washington on Inauguration Day-Views
of an Eye Witness.

l -
| was most unkind to pageant loving
| people. The two days preceding had
buoyed democratic hearts with firm
faith that Cleveland weather.
would surely greet the incoming
president. The trip from Lakewood
| had been to the presidential party all
| that could be desired. Apartments
| at the Arlington were sumptuously
prepared for the reception of the dis
| tinguished party. Everything in
earth and air portended success, I'M
til evening-when shrill whisperings
of the wind announced the arrival of
| hostile elements. Early morning re-
| vealed their unwelcome presence; the
! streets were white with snow, and
the supply was not exhausted, for it
continued to come, sometimes in
| gently descending showers, again,
| driving in fierce clouds, enveloping
alike the observed and observers.
The Central Figure.
But the most imperturable and I'M
concerned of all the crowds was the
central figure, upon whom all eyes
were turned. His face beamed with
an expression of entire satisfaction
with his lot-weather included As
nc coN GU " tht lSlt illtt ltil III IT,
Spouse to the greetings of the true
democracy of the land, which lined
his way on either side, we could not
detect trace of the stolid look which
his pictures give to his face. His
presented 4 striking contrast-one
which moved the heart and sympa-
thieS Of the vast throng.
NI,, To
urcs were set and Swallowed with
regret deeper than bidding adieu to
familiar scenes and loved ambitions.
The inclemency and cold rendered an
up-turned collar necessity for him
and it seemed also 4 grateful barrier
to the rude gaze OF thousands as
only a small portion of his face was
visible. 1t is one of the marvels
which cannot be explained how NOR
tai men and women, even children.
can endure any amount of physical
discomfort for the unsatisfying gain
crlv crowd of all classes and condi
tions stood in vast numbers not
needing the Variable blizzard which
| ragged during the weary hours OF
waiting. The trick of turning back
llllC III HIS at4h III W IL
! thrice repeated in the senate: thus
delaying the inaugural address, and
| the procession. With all delays the
newly inaugurated president did not
| leave the capital until after > o'clock.
| After that hour all the military and
! civic parade occurred, lasting until
O'Clock. Mr.. Cleveland with cheer
| full stoicism stood for four hours
| L., l. 4 -
cal friends pass in review before him
Even this ordeal did not end his
days labor. An inaugural bali in
the evening demanded his presnce;
precedent required the presence OF
| Mrs. Cleveland also.
| The Ball Building.
The pension pudding, which was
designed and erected by Gen.
Meigs. was alternately ridiculed and
| condemned as 4 barn-like structure,
| devoid of grace and comeliness; but
rs one views it in holiday attire of
wreathed smilaN. forests of palms, n
wilderness of gay flags and festooned
! bunting. with the fountain sur
mounted by a crystal spray in set
ting of red and white argaleas as a
| central point of attraction, and above
and amid all the electric lights. like
twinkling stars throwing shields
and banners into bold relief, it
cannot be said that it is ILL
planned. The remark is continually
heard. What Il magnificent place
for grand occasions"
| In all these varied arrangements
there seemed an ignoring Of the sup
posed fact. that there is a limit TO
human endurance. As the programme
was arranged by a noted military
| man. it is inferred in military tactics
no provision is made for failing ply
steal powers. The true soldier is eN-
pected to obey orders without refer
ence to health or hygiene. Mr..
! Cleveland proved to warrior and civ
ilian that he was the truest soldier OF
all. for on Sunday following the ex-
acting day of Inauguration he stated
| to an interviewer from the press that
he felt no disability from the great
strain of the previous day. With all
due regard to precedent, l cannot
think it wise or prudent to
crowd such a galaxy of pomp
and pageantry into one day. The
spectacle is sufficiently grand with
out artificial aids when one ruler re.
tires to private life, and citizen
from the ranks assumes the purple
bestowed by the people for briei
period: the same power recalling
the gift and giving the scepter to an
other Such a peaceful surrender OF
place and power would be grand and
impressive without the prancing OF
steeds and the roll of the drum.
washington's Beauties.