The herald., 1897-02-12

furnished pdtflotlc Americans with an
incentive to make military display
which shall show the world that Uncle
Samuel is not to be lightly challenged
Gov. Hastings of Pennsylvania, who was
in Washington few days ago, said that
5000 soldiers from his state alone would
assist in escorting Major Mckinley to
the White House, and it is safe to say
that New York and other states are not
going to see themselves outdbne. Leav-
ing the regular army out of the count,
the total organized strength of the mi
litia in the United States is 10000, while
the troops stationed around Washing
ton, together with the marines, number
several thousand more-an army of per-
fectly disciplined soldiers.
HOW TO SEE IT.
But IL we are going to see anything Of
the ceremonies at the capitol, we must
tear ourselves away from the splendid
procession. 1t is impossible to force a
passage through solidly packed Penn
sylvania avenue; we must jump into a
cab, dodge around side streets and get
inside the great bronze doors ahead of
the oncoming multitude, on the strength
of our newspaper credentials. The dip
lomatic corps, headed by Sir Julian
Pauncefote, G. C. B. c. NJ. G., and tailed
by pretty little Mavrojeni Bey-more
than half hundred ministers, ,ambassa-
doris and attaches, all in full uniform
are first to arrive. Next comes the su-
preme court, kicking up their long black
gowns behind as they walk, and are Civ
en- seats in front of the vice presidents
desk. If our justices must wear the
English gown, why in the world don't
they go the whole figure and cover their
bald heads with the English big wig"
as we'll? At fifteen minutes to II Vice
President elect Hobart comes down the
I'll t1I 1.x1f fxxuN a 1ffar@=
and takes his seat at the right hand of
Vice-PresiGent Stevenson. The dying
Fifty-fourth congress comes to life
again and seats itself comfortably be-
tween the senate and the diplomatic
CORPS At three minutes before noon the
Man of Destiny" appears, looking more
like Napoleon than ever, and takes the
seat assigned him in, front of the secre-
tary's table, while his wife, who has en-
tered the gallery with her party, beams
down upon him like a guardian angel
from above. A deep hush falls upon the
throng, sort of Judgment day atmos-
phere, as if something dreadful were
about to occur. But nothing-more ter
rible happens than the voice of Adlai,
with a regretful note in it, breaking the
tense silence with his valedictory.
THE OATH OF OFFICE.
Then comes the new vice presidents
little speech. Then the oath of Office
the swearing in of senators; the procla-
nation of the president convening an
extra session of the senate to begin this
minute We wonder what would hap
pen should some president in fit of pique
omit that necessary call? 1t would up
set Inauguration day as badly as the
plan of salvation would have been dis
arranged had Judas failed to betray at
the proper point. Then all hands, or
vot tl,a,. roolf q
door of the capitol-the supreme court
leading the way and kicking up their
gowns worse than ever in the excitement
of the occasion. Out on the high east
ern portico, swept by all the winds of
heaven, seats have been placed. Below
is sea of heads, massed close together
line upon line of soldiers, cavalry, ar
tillery, infantry; line of battle flags
at the base of the steps, decrepit, shot
torn flags, shuddering in the freezing
air In big chair we'll to the front
sits a short, stout man with the face of
Napoleon, and fire in his eyes such as
that hero may have worn in the proud
hour of his coronation. Chief Justice
Fuller solemnly holds forth Bible, and
the little Napoleon kisses it-smack on
these words from the eleventh chap
ter of Isaiah: And the spirit of the
Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of
wisdom and understanding, the spirit
of council and might, the spirit of
knowledge and fear of the Lord" Then
he rises, bare-headed. in the bitter wind
and with manuscript in hand delivers
an address-which nobody hears a word
of. Close behind him sit his relatives
and nearest friends, the ladies of Off
cal and diplomatic families prominent
people and the newspaper fraternity, all
chilling to the very marrow of their
bones. We wonder whether all this was
in Mr.. McKinleys mind when he went
in and out among us a few years ago,
rather shy and retiring M. c. Will
he turn around presently and kiss his
wife before all the world, as Garfield
did-or will he cram his hands down into
his pockets and stalk away, a la U. S.
Grant? The boisterous breezes catch
the words out of his mouth and whirl
them off into space; but though we hear
nothing, you know that the speaker
has sworn to the oath of office, accord
irg to the constitution and is now fast
and sure, the president of this great and
glorious republic for four long years
unless death puts an untimely finis to
his term. Now comes the carnival OF
salute. The Middies fire their howitz-
ers, thirty-two guns; Second artillery
fires twenty-one more; other battalions
make the welkin ring with their salvos
the firemen clang the bells of their bur-
pished engines and fifty thousand men,
rot to mention the women, swing their
hats and wave their handkerchiefs and
invite bronchitis by shouting them
selves hoarse. Strange to say, had the
other Little Billie" come out ahead
in the late campaign they would have
waved and shouted for him just as en-
Enthusiastically. In the midst of the null
titudes and the procession, surging back
up the avenue, is P.Isident Mckinley,
in an open harouche, drawn by four
horses and surrounded by a mounted
guard in dark blue, yellow trimmed uni
form and plumed chapeauX The mill
tary pageant of the return march cul-
inmates between the White House and
Lafayette Square, where a pavilion Mas
been erected for the president and his
lady friends, past which the troops file
regiment after regiment of half-frozen
soldiers, officers displaying fine horses
and gorgeous uniforms, cadets on the
double-quiclS, Middies banging away at
their howitzers, ban6.s playing, cannon
laundering away, flags waving, helmets,
bayonets, bouquets, sabers, far as the
eyes can see.
AT last-oh, happy hour!-the presiden-
tial barouche dashes up to the White
House door, that mecca of American am
bition, and the new ruler has attained mis-
throne. lie Roi est mort-vive le Roi
Mr.. Cleveland is private citizen now,
who may go duck hunting without let or
hinorance, and none so poor as to do him
| homage. A few hours later comes the
inaugural bali-designed to be the grand
est on record, which has cost months of
preparation and many thousands of dol
-. xc& L.