The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1897-03-12


WAsHINGTON, March 4.-To-day,
for the fourth time in TIE history of
this great republic, a native-boru
citizen of Ohio, in the presence of
untold thousands of his countrymen,
and beneath the great bronze god.
dess who stands in her lofty place,
symbolic of the idea that created
this proud nation, bent his head
over the sacred book and took the
solemn oath which bound him for
four long years to watch over and
guard the welfare of the American
people. 1t was an impressive yet
beautifully simple ceremony that
marked the accession of William
Mckinley, of Ohio, to the high
office of President of the United
States of America, being the twenty
third to be inaugurated.
There have been many inaugural
tions in Washington, but in many
respects that of March 4. 1897, will
go down in the history as excelling
all that have gone before. The
citizens of the capital city worked to
that end with degree of energy un-
known even in this ceremony-l loving
community, and the great popular
demonstration of to-day was a
unique and shining success in every
particular. 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 GraDt's
great display at the close of the war
seventeen sovereign States had
their citizens in the line of parade
and over sixty civil organizations
helped swell its magnificent pro-
portions. The citizens had spent
money with liberal hand to beau
tify their houses and with the aid of
the thousands of flags of every kind
loaned by the national government,
Pennsylvania avenue, the great
artery of the city, was turned into a
rainbow of bright colors in which
old glory predominated. The line of
march OF the parade was longer
than usual-full four miles, in fact
made so to ease the pressure of
spectators upon the line in the cen
tral section of the city, and to in
sure the maintenance of the line un-
broken.
Rarely has the morning of IN
auguration day opened so promising.
ly So far as the weather conditions
were concerned. Everybody agreed
that it was an ideal inauguration
day as far as the weather was con
cerned, for those who expected tC
march in the parade, while the in
creasing warmth of the sun as it
mounted higher in the blue sky re-
assured the persons who feared fol
their comfort in the covered grand
stands.
President Mckinley made his
fealty to the American people OF
the east terrace of the Capitol in the
presence of great multitude. A
dazzling and inspiring scene spread
out before him as he appeared or
the steps of the senate wing to take
the oath and deliver his inaugural
A glorious, golden Southern spring
sun blazed from blue sky, al
auspicious augury for his admins
tration. Except for Mr.. Cleveland:
first Inauguration in 1888 there has
been no such ideal day for this
momentous ceremony.
Preceded by two military aides
Mrs. Mckinley and her party
emerged first from the senate
chamber and were escorted to theil
seats on the platform in advance o
the procession. The future mistress
of the White House, heavily wrap
ped, rested on the arm of John Ad
olson Porter. Mother Mckinley
and the other members of the party
were shown seats just in the rear.
Mr.. Mckinley and Mr.. CLEVELAND
emerged arm and arm. Almost in
stantly they were recognized by th'
multitude and universal shou
went up. The president-elect show
ed TO trace of his recent illness. H,
held himself splendidly.
Mr.. Cleveland now faced an in
auguration audience for the fourtl
time, once more than any othe
president of the republic. He ap
peared twenty years older than h
did when he was first inauguratet
twelve years ago, as evidenced b!
his almost bald head and the line
which official cares have chiseled il
his face. He took a seat in the bi
leather chair. The press against tn
stand was so terrific that womel
screamed with pain and severa
tainted.
All this time 10000 people wer
straining to keep up the cOnstan
and tremendous applause, while Mr.
Mckinley surveyed the crowd
When all was ready Mr.. McKinle
arose and uncovered, while Chic
Justice Fuller, in his flowing robes
administered the oath in the pres
ence of that tremendous multitude
The new president kissed the larg
gilt-edged Bible presented by th
bishops of the African Methods
Church to seal his oath. With yell
and shouts the people continued t
roar.
Holding the manuscript of his in
augural address in one hand h
turned to the multitude of peopl
and, lifting up bis hand as if j