The herald., 1897-03-05
The Nations Heart Responds to the
Nations Head
Every Citizen Reioices Ia the Greatness Of
America
But Before the Gray Dawn Breaks the
Line Of Opposition VIII Be Formed
Against the Policy Of
the Han
Associated Press Special Wire

WASHINGTON, March At has
been day of acclaim-a non-partisan,
demonstration of vast proportions, by
which the American people without re-
CORD to section or political alliance have
hailed a new president and watched the
launching of his administration upon
unknown seas. 1t is the only day in
any presidents career when, from sun
shine to the putting out Of lights in the
inaugural ballroom. there is unbroken
and enthusiastic celebration by citizens
of every section and every shade of poll
tical belief. Before readers scan these
pages the line of the opposition will be
forming in the gray of the morning for
assault upon the new administration.
but for the one day the people Of all
ranks and classes and politics, as II ut
tering a nations laundering voice, have
welcomed and aided to install their
president, not as the executive of any
party, but as the head of the national
government. 1t has been great state
affair, in its broadest sense not trib-
ute to the man, but a national demon
stration of respect for the high office.
The weather was appropriate for such
a
No previous Inauguration has equal
ed it in careful preparations. In every
feature outside the capital jurisdiction
except the visiting delegations. 1t is
Washington affair. 1t is the only nation
al demonstration In which the unrepre-
sented residents OF the capital are the
leaders and in sole control. They guar
antee all expenditures by public SUBJ
scription and. through large and ener-
getic committee Of its most influential
citizens, Washington gives months OF
time and unremitting effort to these
preparations for properly receiving 81
president. On this occasion WashingtSh
has we'll played her brilliant part in tao,
opening drama Of an administration.
The city was early astir. Its own pop~4
ulation and the strangers within its
gates moved in great tides from all
quarters toward Pennsylvania avenue
to view the decorations. Hours before
the organized columns passed over the
line of march an army of visitors, closed
in mass, far exceeding the formal array
that was to follow, swarmed for hours
over it. The citizens of every grade and
station, in most democratic fashion,
took first view of everything. After this
general inspection by the people came
their own servants. numerously and
calamity attended, Mr.. Cleveland,
whose stewardship was ending. escort
ing Major Mckinley to the capitol,
where the honors and burdens of the
succession were to be laid upon him.
Meantime from every quarter came
into their appointed places, east Of the
capitol, whence. later, they would file
into the united lines Of the grand parade.
Great streams of citizens poured into
the immense spaces open to them east
ward from the reviewing stands in front
Of the senate wing awaiting the appear
ance of the official party from the senate
chamber.
In and about that room the official
pageant Of the inaugural ceremonies
gathered The senate wing was closed
to all except those formally connected
with the exercises and the few invited
guests which the contracted chamber
could accommodate. Four tickets for
each senator, two for a representative.
twenty as the sole provision for the lead
Ing employees and 200 for the press of the
entire country, represented the unoffi-
cial attendance. These crowded the gal
leries and looked down upon the con-
centrated representatives Of our gov
crnment in it's various branches and the
ambassadors and ministers Of the ma
tions. The members of the defunct
house Of representatives leaving their
chamber at noon. appeared last on the
floor Of the senate.
The new vice president took the oath
Of office, new senators were sworn in,
and until the waiting president elect
should proceed to the platform in front
Of the senate and there be inaugurated,
Mr.. Hobart would be acting president.
The nation could furnish no more i'm
posing official audience. Crowded upon
the small floor Of the senate were the
three coordinate branches Of the gov
efnment In the persons Of their most
prominent men; the legislative branch
In force: the executive of the immediate 4
past with his cabinet, and the new ex-
ecutive and cabinet remains, represent
ing ths past and unknown future; the
suprenfe cqHFt In It's robes; the army
AN nQYy IN ~ plNWef their geld ard
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