Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1897-03-11
THE INAUGURATION WITNESSED
BY THE GREATEST CROWD
EVER AT THE CAPITOL.
The Oath of Office Administered BY
Chief Justice Fuller Pageant
Four Miles Long-It Was an
Ideal. Day-Festlvities,
Ball, Etc.


beneath the great bronze goddess who
stands ia her lofty place symbolic of
the idea that created this proud ma
ton, bent his head over the sacred
book and took the solemn oath which
bound him for four years to watch
over and guard the welfare of the
American people. 1t was an impress
i've, yet beautifully simple ceremony
that marked the accession of William
Mckinley, of Ohio, student, lawyer,
Representative, Governor, but, best
of all, one of the common people so
dear to the American heart, to the
high office of President of the United
States of America There was no
flash of gratified triumph in the dark
eye beneath the bfoad white brow
that scanned the shouting, cheering
multitude that confronted him on the
broad terrace of the.east front of the
Capitol, but an expression of humility,
mingled with realization of the heavy
burdens he was about to assume, and
of manly determination faithfully to
discharge the manifold duties of his
high office as he bent his head and re-
peated in a clear voice the words:
sI do solemnly swear that 1 will
faithfully execute the Office of Presi-
dent of the United States and will to
the best of my ability, preserve, pro-
tect and defend the Constitution of
the United States."
Thus did William Mckinley gather
from the hand of Grover Cleveland
the reins of power and become Presi-
dent of the United States, the twenty
third of that grand line of rulers,
chosen by the people of America.
There have been many inaugurations
in Washington, but in many respects
that of March A, 1897, will go down in
history as excelling all that have gone
before. The citizens OF the capital
city worked to that end with degree
of energy unknown even in this cere-
mony loving community, and the
great popular demonstration of to-day
was a unique and shining success in
every particular-sIn.be In. beauty, in taste.
in novelty, the decorations of the city
were incomparably superior to any
thing ever seen in Washington; the
magnificent body of regular United
States troops was more numerous
than any gathered since Grants great
display at the close of the war; seven
teen sovereign States had their citi-
zens in the line of parade and over
sixty civil organizations helped swell
its magnificent proportions. Along
the broad avenue, on every open
space, were erected grand stands that,
instead of being disfgurements to the
scene, as has been the case in days
gone by-mere scaffolds of rough
boards-were not only comfortably
covered and of pretty architectural
design, but were most appropriately
and substantially decorated.
As President Mckinley advanced
to deliver his inaugural address, the
surging waves of sound gave way to
still more impressive silence.
Major Mckinley, standing on a
raised platform, we'll advanced, was
readily distinguished by his magnifi-
cent audience, and those who could
not hear were well content to see.
There was universal silence as the
black-robed Chief Justice Fuller of the
Supreme Court administered the
solemn oath which made William Nc
Kinley President of the United States
Then the seal of silence was broken
by the reign of sound, deep, swelling
all pervading, dominating sound, as il
a surging sea were rolling over the
land before the driving of q king oi
storms.
President Mckinley made his fealty
to the American people on the east
terrace of the capitol in the presence
of great multitude. A glorious, gold
en-, Southern spring sun blazed from
blne sky.
Then Mr.. Mckinley arose and un-
covered, while Chief Justice Fuller, il
his flowing robes, administered the
oath in presence of that tremen-
dous multitude. The new President
kissed the large gilt edge Bible pre-
sented by the Bishops of the African
Methodist church to seal his oath
With yells and shouts the people con-
tinued to roar.
Holding the manuscript of his ad'
dress in one hand, he turned to the
multitude of people and, lifting up hii
hand, as if in admonition for order
began his inaugural address. MIR
Cleveland, with bis silk hat in hi
hand, resting on his umbrella, listen
ed attentively to every word.
For the general public, unfavores