Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-09-18
THE PROCESSION.
An Imposing Civic and Military Dis
play.

The scene in the vicinity Of the White
House this morning was gay and animated.
Great interest was shown in the formation
Of the procession, and throngs of people early
assembled on the avenue in front Of the
mansion to watch the movements Of the
President and other distinguished guests.
The gateways and the high iron fence Of
the White House grounds afforded special
points Of vantage to sghtseers and as usual
attracted the principal share Of the crowd.
That there were many strangers present
was indicated by their excited manner at
the approach of everything on wheels that
might possibly contain a great statesman,
but which. in nine times out of ten. con-
tained only a messenger with a note to one
Of the officials Of the house.
young America" as usual, was present
In great force. He was particularly promf-
nent from the fact that he Invariably Sc
lected perch because OF its height and
danger. 1t was a truly good-natured Ameri-
can crowd. and though there was plenty Of
showing and pushing there was no display
of temper. Being crushed and trampled
upon Is one Of the customary incidents Of
such gatherings. and everyone accepted it
as a matter Of course, and with the best
possible grace. except where an over-sensi-
tive corn was concerned.
The gathering differed from those usual
at Presidential inaugurations, mainly IN
local composition and size. The most vivid
contrast In the occasion, however, was in
the matter of weather.
The severe hardships attending the Presi-
dents Inauguration, when the weather was
a combination Of snow, hail. rain and icy
winds, were contrasted most unfavoraby
with the beautiful, baimy weather Of to-
day.
Souvenirs for the President.
While the clans were assembling and the
air resounded with the noise of marching
soldiers and martial music Messrs. Gardner,
Hay and Wines drove through the throng
on a special visit to the White House They
were usbered at once into the presence of
Private Secretary Thurber. and the purpose
of their visit was soon explained when they
handed him two beautiful white satin
badges, the distinguishing feature Of which
was a large solid silver souvenir medallion.
One was intended for the President and
the other for his private secretary. Mr..
Thurber delivered the Presidents medal to
him In person.
The First Division.
The formation Of the line was accom-
plished promptly and in excellent order.
The first to assemle were the civic bodies,
composed Of the Odd Fellows, Oldest In
habitants, local militia, &C., who arrived
on the scene promptly at noon and took
positions near Jackson Place, with the
right resting opposite the War Department.
announced the arrival Of the chief marshal
and his staff and many aids. who took
position on Executive avenue west Of the
Treasury Department
The remainder of the first division, in
cluding troop of the District National
| Guard and squadron of United States cav
| airy assembled at 12:45 o'clock and made
| quite an imposing show as they wheeled
| into position on the north side of Pennsyl-
vania avenue facing the Executive Mansion.
| To the cavalry was assigned the special
| honor of escorting the President of the
| United States. and their perfect military
| bearing showed that they appreciated the
distinction conferred on them. Their uni
| condition, and the bright steel Of their
| drawn sabers and the FURNISHED gold of
| their helmets and buttons glistened merrily
| in the MONDAY sun.
The cavalry escort was composed of
| Troop A of the District National Guard. in
| command of Capt. Harrison Barber and
| Lieuts Eiker and Ferguson, and four troops
| of United States cavalry from Fort Myer,
| Virginia, in command of Lieut.. Col. Guy V.
Henry. seventh cavalry, as follows: Troop
A, first cavalry, Capt. Bomas; Troop II.
| eighth cavalry, Lieut.. Steele: Troop F, sew
enth cavalry, Capt. Bell, and Troop h (col-
ored), ninth cavalry, Capt. Hughes.
| The first division was compleately formed
| in position by 1245 o'clock. A few minutes
after Messrs. wilkins and Gardner of the
committee reported that fact to the Prest-
/ Oent. lney were accompanied 10 tne w lllte
House by Mr.. Henry, the orator, who was
presented to the President, and remained
| in conversation with him until the signal to
| start given.
Col. H. c. Corbin and Capt. George P
Scriven of the regular army, who had beer
| detailed as special aids to the President
were also promptly on hand. They rode or
either side of the Presidents carriage. This
was plain. low bodied victoria upholstered
in black, and drawn by pair Of fine bays
1t was almost an exact duplicate of the
| carriage in which rode Mr.. Gardner and Mr.
| Henry, except that the horses Of the latter
wero light bays.