Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-03-11
President Mckinley Reviews the Parade
The Inaugural Ball the Climax Of the
Day-The Presidential Party Goes
on the Dancing Floor.


There was no long-drawn-out ma IS.
ing OF uniformly attired regular troops
or militia pleasing enough to the mill.
tary eye, but wearisome to the specta-
tors who made up the vast crowd.
Nor was there any preponderance of
widely separated civic organizations,
whose identity was scarcely distin-
guishable through the presence or alb
sence OF a high hat or different col
ored overcoat. Instead, the military
display was just large enough and
had Just enough variety to give
the people pleasing oppor-
tnnity to dwell upon the difference
between the three great arms of the
service while as for the civic organize
tons, their leaders showed the neces-
sary ingenuity in the variety of their
costume to make it delight to look
upon their closely drawn lines. Amid
the merry spectators a hearty need of
applause and a reverential uncovering
OF heads was called forth by the pas
sage of the limping and battle-scarred
veterans of the war now few in num-
Der, but of sturdy heart.
President Mckinley made his fealty
to the American people on the east ter
race of the capitol. He arose and un-
covered, while Chief Justice Fuller, in
his flowing robes, administered the
oath in the presence of the tremendous
multitude. The new president kissed
the large gilt-edged Bible presented
by the bishops of the African Meth
odist church, to seal his oath. He then
delivered his inaugural address,
As President Mckinley and ex-Presi-
dent Cleveland arm in arm. emerged
from the capitol after the lunch the
buglers sounded a salute and cheers
went up, frightening the horses and
making a confusion in bringing for
ward the handsome turnout which was
to bear the presidential party to the
white house. Mr.. Mckinley took the
rear seat on the left with Mr.. Cleve-
land beside him on the right On the
front seat were Sherman, muffled in a
fur collar, and Senator Mitchell. of
Wisconsin.
1t was one continuous ovation from
the start. The president raised his hat
time and time again, bowling and smil-
ing his acknowledgements. From win
dows. roofs and trees rang continuous
cheers, while flags and handkerchiefs
were waved in demonstrative greeting.
Mr.. Mckinley, seeing that his salutes
were continuous, at last sat bare
headed, hat in hand. waving acknowl-
edgments to the multitude. At the
Peace monument the brilliant escort
and the presidential party swung into
the broad avenue and took its course
along the crowded thoroughfares to
the executive mansion, When the
head OF the parade came in sight
of the thousands lining the way
to the capitol, the magnificent stretch
of broad asphalt of Pennsylvania av-
enue was swept as clean of intruders
as though the whole town was desert
ed, for behind the wire rope steady
patrol of police had forced 100000 per-
sons. Then up and down the avenue
rose a cheer that rolled and echoed
back, and was taken up and repeated
again and again, as the carriage of the
president and ex-president rolled into
view.
Over such triumphal way, and the
presence and thunderous applause of
unending crowds, President Mckinley
was escorted to the white house The
presidents reviewing stand occupied
two thirds of the white house ground.
1t was a solidly built and finished
structure, carefully designed and taste
fully decorated. The background was
white, the columns were twined with
green and the national colors in float
ing colors and woven and draped de-
signs were the chief ornament. The
stand seated 1000. The president
stood in Il projecting area, sheltered by
glass. The audience was notable In all
its elements
The inaugural ball was the climax of
the day. To the minds Of many there
was nothing comparable to it. The
presidential party arrived at the ball
at a quarter before ten o'clock, but
they came in so quietly at the main
entrance of the south side of the build
ing that only those gathered about the
door were aware Of their presence.
The party were ushered up TO the main
staircase to the front, where they re-
,eived the most distinguished guests.
zen. Wilson made the presentations,
md to each Of those who paid their re-
spects President Mckinley gave cor
dial handshake. President and Mrs
and the remainder of the
party, descended to the dancing floor
The president, with Mrs. Mckinley on
his arm, moved slowly along, smiling
and bowling in response to the low
greetings from both sides.
The party entered supper room at
he west end Of the building and par
Iook Of light refreshments. In few
minutes they emerged from the supper
'oom and returned as they had come,
through an aisle cleared for them. Mr..
md Mrs. Mckinley Immediately en-
cred their carriage and were driven
pack to the white house. II was short
y after II o'clock when they took their