The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-03-11

pi"'IoiH WIS redul.y DISTINGUISHED by
his magnificent audience, and those who
could not hear him were we'll content to
see. There was universal silence as the
black-robed justice Of the supreme court
administered the solemn oath which
made William Mckinley president of the
United States. Then the silence was
broken by the reign of sound, deep swell
ling, all-pervading, dominating. as if Il
surging sea were rolling over the ground
before the driving of the king of storms.
AS the many bands joined the mighty
acclaim, the organized columns marched
into place. the grand review was in mo-
ton and the currents and waves of hui
mainly began to flow towards the lines
of its march.
Moving promptly in from all the streets
and avenues centering on the park east
of the capitol, the column of parade was
quickly formed along the spacious plaza
extending in front of the house and sen
ate wings and the central building.
The new president entered his carriage
and the column, leaving the great white
temple in and about which the tribes had
gathered with great patriotic purposes,
passed through it's beautiful glades and
whirled into Pennsylvania avenue at the
Peace monument, where its march be-
gan. From this point to Washington
Circle, two and one-half miles distant.
this noted avenue had been transferred
into Il triumphal parade ground. This
great avenue, with Il width of 160 feet
and perfect concrete pavement, doubly
swept fol-. the occasion. afforded such
space for decoration and ease of move
ment of columns as can not be found
elsewhere in the land
Looking from the head Of the line of
the Peace monument towards the White
house, a mile and Il half away, was like
gazing into a broad canon whose high
walls were IL mass of men, women and
flags. The buildings. two to four stories
high, plain and stately, were almost con-
cealed from view by the spectators, and
banners, streamers and bunting waving
in the light, woven into countless forms
of beauty. And everywhere, as in the
autumn woods, were cOloring of gold
twined with the banners to suggest the
central plank of the victory
The inaugural committee distributed
$4,000 national flags to all on the line of
march who would use them in their win
dows. There would have been 100000
more used if they had been provided.
Added to such background. each indi-
vidual had decorated lis building accord
ing to his own tastes. The clean-swept
floor of the wide avenue was roped in
throughout its entire length and clear of
everything save the police. who kept the
masses in order along the line of march.
Every window and cornice had its full
quota of spectators, and so upward. to
the fringes of men along the edges of the
roof, every available point of observation
was not only filed but crowded TO its ca
pacity. The great stands which lined all
the parks and reservations were, for the
first time in the history of inaugurations.
both attractive in plan and beautiful in
decoration. They were built under speci-
tications approved by the inaugural com
mittec from architects of standing and
taste. and the contractors chiefly followed
these. There were removed. as far as
possible. the former horrid effects of barn
like structure of rough timber which had
been feature of All previous attempts
in grand stand building. Amid great Ell
thusiasm, President Mckinley was es-
cortcd to the White House. whence he
soon proceeded to the stand in front of it
to review the imposing columns of march
ing thousands which had followed him
from the capitol elicting with every step
unbounded admiration and wild acclaim.
which at intervals drowned the music of
the bands.
The presidents reviewing stand Occu-
pied tWo-thirdS of the front of the White
finished structure. well designed and taste
fully decorated. The iloor was supported
by columns of white. the columns were
twined with green and TIE national colors
and other draped designs. and were the
chief ornaments
The president stood IN projecting area
shielded by glass. The audience was
notable in all its elements. The official
life of Washington was fully represented.
'l, h,. Il Of nf a
lions hOnOred the occasion. The families
of these various dignitaries were present,
and the press of the land was nnmerOusly
and ably represented.
Opposite the presidents stand and much
overlapping it was another extending
along the front of Lafayette square. 4
distance of two blocks In the center of
this. directly opposite the president. It had
been announced that Mr.. Hanna had pur-
chased 30 seats for himself and friends
of the national committee.
The parade was a famous column. nota-
bly, commanded. There have been longer
columns in former inaugurations. but
there has never been so perfect an organ
iZation of the parade Or so prompt. so well
organized or so imposing movement as
Gems Porter and Dodge. with their lead |
ing aids secured today.
The many glOries of the day were ecllps- |
Ell by the DfllllancN q! lue NdllOuN HiSht |
displays. The decorations of the ball room
have never been aqualled before. 1t is
certain they have never been approached
in this country. Those who have attended
notable fetes abroad insist they have never |
been anywhere excelled. They were both |
and wonderful in all their |
various effects. as the description VIII
make plain. The city was ablaze with |
lights. All the parks and public grounds |
were Illuminated. The whole line of march |
of today. with its countless flags flying |
and beautifully intertwinings and national
colors shone clear as if some prophet had /
stayed the sun in its course till the great
of a mighty token could be
complete.
Private illuminatons joined each other
from end to end of rhc Avenue. The I'M
mense public buildings seemed i'll flames.
At various points, high over the original
blackness of the sky. great flags. illum-
mated by great torcnlghts, waved clear |
and bright as if the spirits of the upper |
air We're participants IN this national fes..
tival. This effect vas magnetic and |
moved the thousands below TO an cnthu-
siasm which even the marvellous scenes
of the day had not kindled.
As the iluminations were in full swing,
the search-lights began to reveal the CAPT
toll, the monument, the White House. the