The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1893-03-08
THE INAUGURATION.
IN THE MIDST or A SNOW STORM
GROVER CLETELAND rs
IN4UG URITED.
An Immense ooncourse of people-sum

ana Cerenonies-The Inaugural In Full
GROVER CLEVELAND of New York, thrice
nominated and twice elected president of
the United States, was inaugurated on Sat
urday, March 4. with the accompaniment
OF heavy snow storm and wind that nearly
reached the velocity of gale. The trans
fer OF supreme authority was made without
jar or unpleasant incident save the
weather conditions. With simple cere
monial, in the presence OF vast concourse
OF people, the country passed from republi-
can to democratic control, BENJAMIN Har-
rison became private citizen, and Grover
Cleveland the chief executive of the nation.
Inc morning opened with heavy snow.
which fell steadily in great, soft flakes.
melting as they fell and transforming
Pennsyvania Avenue, towards which all
eyes were turned, into thorouphfare of
mud and slush, which brigades of sweepers
were powerless to remove. At the Capitol.
the thick and fast-falling snowflakes made
me inaugural stand on the east portco a
cherries and uncomfortable place. The
trees were heavily loaded with snow and
the picture was one OF mid winter-a sight
rare and beautiful to look upon by the resi-
dents OF Washing on, II gazing on nature
had been the order of the day.
The procession did not start until after
eleven o'clock. just before that hour a
handsome four-in-hand turnout with white
horses and white harness drew up in front
and president-elect to the capitol. Then
ensued touching little scene. The pres
ident-elect had waved general au revoir
TO the party OF official and personal friends
gathered about him and was about to pass
through the doorway, when Mrs. Cleveland
called him back and with utter disregard
for the assembled company threw her arms
about her husband and kissed him several
times. bidding him "Go6speed on his
way to take the oath of office. Those who
saw this leave-taking endeavored to look
unconscious OF what was going on, but the
act OF Mrs. Cleveland was done 80 simply
and with such womanly grace that it seemed
TO De the most natural occurrence in the
world and endeared the wife of the presi-
dent-elect to all those in the apartment.
Had the atmospheric conditions been IA
vorable instead of being as bad as they
could possibly be, there would probably
have been sixty thousand men marching or
riding In the parade. At the last moment
many OF the organizations which were wait
ing To fall into line were compelled to with
draw. Nevertheless the military and civil
display was imposing. The fine appear
ance and splendid discipline of the district
military ELECTED repeated cheering. On the
extreme left of the front rank of Battery
marched bronzed and rugged featured
veteran who would have received a share of
the plaudits on his own account had his his
tory been known. His name was John
custer massacre. A feature distinctively
novel was introduced into the parade by the
engineering corps. This was the releasing
OF number OF carrier pigeons, with mes
sages relating to the success of theinaugura-
ton, destined for Philadelphia, Baltimore
Annapolis and other points.
There was mass of shivering humanity
on the sidewalks all along the line of march,
1t was not only cold, but the wind pene-
trated the warmest clothing. Every win
dow along the two miles and more OF the
route was crowded, and they commanded
fabulous prices, too. At every available
spot stands had been erected. They were
covered with slush, and those who braved
the elements and occupied them were
looked upon kindly by the doctors and I'M
dertakers.
The main stand from which President
Cleveland reviewed the parade was erected
Immediately In front of the White House.
The boards of the temporary staging were
covered with slush. Chairs for the inaug-
ural party were full Of snow and water.
A more cheerless, bedrabbled, comfortless
outlook could hardly be imagined.
The galleries OF the capitol were solidly
packed hours before the ceremonies began.
Mrs. Cleveland entered shortly after eleven
o'clock and was seated in the front tier of
the second row west Of the diplomatic gal
lery that had been reserved for her She
was accompanied by her mothor, Mrs.
Perrine, and James l.. Morris OF the COM
mittee of arrangements. She wore dark
her breast The corresponding seats at her
left were reserved for President Harrison
and family, but were vacant
The oath OF office was administered to Mr.
Cleveland by Justice Field and the new
president delivered
THE INAUGURAL.
My Fello,o Citizens; In obedience to the
mandate of my countrymen, am about to
dedicate myself to their service under the
sanction OF solemn oath. Deeply moved
by the expression OF confidence and per-
sonal attachment which has called me to
this service, l am sure my gratitude can
make no better return than the pledge /
now give before God and these witnesses of
unreserved and complete devotion to the
interests and welfare Of those who have
hOnored me.
deem it fitting ON this occasion, while in
dicating the opinions l hold concerning
public questions of present Importance, to
also briefly refer to the existence of certain
conditions and tendencies among our peo-
pie which seem to menace the integrity and
usefulness of their government.
While every American citizen must con-
template with the utmost pride and enthu-
siasm the growth and expansion of our
country, the sufficiency OF our institutions
to stand against the rudest shocks of vio-
lence, the wonderful thrift and enterprise
OF our people, and the demonstrated superb
ority OF our free government, 1t behooves
us to constantly watch for every symptom
of insidious iptrmity that threatens our
national vigor. The strong man, who in
the confidence Of sturdy health courts the
sternest activities OF life and rejoices In the
hardihood of constant labor, may still have
lurking near his vitals the unheeded disease
that dooms him to sudden collapse. 1t con-
not be doubted that our stupendous achieve.
ments as people and our country's robust
strength have given rise to a heedlessness
OF those laws governing our national health
which we can no more evade than human
life can escape the laws OF God and nature.
Manifestly nothing is more vital 30 our
supremacy as nation and to the benehcent
purposes OF our government than a sound
and stable currency. Its exposure to degra-
dation should at once arouse to activity the
most enlightened craftsmanship; and the
danger OF depreciation in the purchasing
power OF the wages paid to toll should fur
nish the strongest incentive to prompt and
conservative precaution.
In dealing with our present embarrassing
situation as related to this subject we will
be wise IL we temper our confidence and
faith in our national strength and resources
with the frank concession that even these
will not permit us to defy with impunity the
memorable laws of finance and trade. At
the same time, in our efforts TO adjust differ
ences of opinion we should be free from in
Al