The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1897-03-12

surging waves Of sound gave way t
still more impressive silence. He looked
out upon q wonderful scene. The
steps, the balconies and every pro-
lection Of t::e capitol front and thu
dome were crowded. The front Of tho
library swayz:ed with people. From
every street end avenue looked for
ward toward the capitol projected
groups of horsemen and the heads OF
columns awaiting orders to march;
and everywhere shining banners
waved.
The Oath Administered.
Maj. Mckinley, standing on a raised
platform, was readily distinguished,
and those who could not hear were
well content to see. There was uni
vefsaT silence az. the bl1cE ROBBED jus.
tice of the supreme court Administered
the solemn oath which 10ade William
Mckinley president Of the United
States. Then the seal Of silence was
broken by the reign Of sound, deen,
swelling, all-pervading,, dominating, as
IL a surging sea were rolling over the
land before the driving of q king OF
storms. As the many bands Joined the
mighty acclaim, the organized columns
marched into place, the grand review
was in molten, and the currents Of hui
manity began to follow toward the
lines Of its march. Moving promptly
in from all streets and avenues, cen
tering on the park east Of the capitol,
the column Of parade was, quickly
formed along the spacious plaza ex-
tending in front Of the house and SEN
ate wings and the central buildings.
The new president entered his carriage
and the column, clrcing the great
white temple of the nation, in and
about which the tribes had gathered
with patriotic purpose, passed down
through its beautiful grounds, and
wheeling into Pennsylvania avenue at
the Peace monument, where it's real
march began. Looking from the head
of the line at the Peace monument to-
ward the treasury and the White House
mile and a half away, was like gaz-
ing into q broad canon whose high
walls were a mass of men, women and
flags. As basis for decoration the
inaugural committee distributed $4,000
national flags to all on the line of
march who would use them in their
windows. So great wae the demand
that there would have been 100000
used IL they had been provided. Upon
such background, each individual
owner builded and wrought out such
forms Of beauty as his enthusiasm and
his patriotism suggested. First was
the clean swept floor of the wide ave-
nue. roped In throughout it's length, and
n1ooN rHf oVuossvy nt,@oo$ On ro thu 1fniv,cp nF
police. The wide pavements on either
were packed. Every window and cor
nice had its full quota Of spectators,
and SO upward to fringee Of men along
point Of observation was crowded to
lined all the parks and reservations
were beautifully decorated. Thus was
removed The former effect of the barn
have heretofore marred all attempts at
nue.. Over such triunphal way, and
thus honored by magnificent prepara-
lions and the presence and
Thunderous Applause
Of uAending crowds, President Nc.
kinney was escorted to the White
House. whence he soon proceeded to
imposing columns of marching thou
sands which had followed him from
the capitol, eliciting at every step I'M
bounded admiration, and wild ac-
claim, which, at intervals drowned the
music Of the bands. The presidents
reviewing stand occupied two-thirds Of
the front Of the White House grounds.
The president stood In q projecting
area, shielded by glass. The audience
was notable in all it's elements. The
official life Of the nation was fully rep
resented. The ambassadors and min
listers Of all nations honored the oc-
casion. The political magnates Of
both parties had seats. The parade was
famous column, notably commanded.
Gen. Horace Porter, grand marshal, at
its head, recalled to sill veterans the
campaigns Of Grant, his chief. Follow
ing his numerous and brilliant staff,
upon which the sons Of Presidents
Grant, Hayes, Garfield, Arthur and
Harrison were prominent figures, came
Gen. Granville NJ. Dodge, commanding
the first grand division, which en-
braced all the military organizations of
the parade.
The many glories Of the day were
eclipsed by the brilliancy Of the vari-
Gus night displays. The decorations of
the ball room have not been equalled
before. It is certain that they have
not been approached in this country.
Those who have attended noted fetes
abroad insist that they have not been
anywhere excelled. The fireworks and
the street illuminations have not been
equalled in the past, and the enter
tainment for the thousands who could
not attend the ball was varied and
ample. -.
+ Never before was an administration
launched upon its unknown future with
more impressive or enthusiastic dem
onstration.
The lights are out in the ball room;
the flags no longer CLEAN against the
darkness Of the sky; the city lights
burn low; the wild acclaim Of the mul-
titudes is stilled; after day of fer
vent patriotic emotion the national cap
ital sleeps.
VxysAr> A..