Evening star., 1897-03-04

Today. for the fourth time in the history
of this great republic, native-born citizen
of Ohio. in the presence of thousands of
his cCuntrymen and beneath the great
bronze goddess 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 tC
watch over and guard the welfare of tho
American people.
1t was an impressive yet beautifully
simple ceremony that marked the accession
OF William Mckinley of Ohio student
lawyer. representative, governor, but, best
Of all. one OF the common people so dear
10 the American heart. to the high office of
President of the United States of America
There was flash of gratiled triumph in
the dark eye beneath the broad white brow
that scanned the shouting. cheering multi
tude that confronted him on the broad ter
race of the east front of the Capitol but
IN expression of humility mingled with
realization of the heavy burdens he was
about TO assume, and of manly deterInina-
Non faithfully to discharge the manifold
Duties of mis- high Office, he bent his head
and repeated in a clear voice the words
Il do solemnly swear that L will faithfully
execute the office of President of tha
United States, and will, to the best of my
ability. preserve, protect and defend the
Constitution of the United States" Thus
aid William Mckinley gather from the
hand of Grover Cleveland the reins of
power and became President of the United
States, the twenty-third of that grand line
of rulers chosen by the people of America.
For four years the fortunes of the ma
ton have been under the guardianship of
political party representing a vast num-
Der of the people. and have been guided by
the principles of that party TO a greater or
less degree To-Day they changed to the
custody Of another great political party,
representing still vaster number of the
people, where they viii remain for four
years more, and he directed in an absolute
- different course as far as its methods and
motives are concerned
A Stupendous Spectacle.
II is a stupendous moral spectacle. In
no other country and at other time in
the history of nations has such a thing
taen possible as the quadrennial change OF
sac government of the United States, wit
Sessed in the western hemisphere for the
last century and more.
The people who come to witness the SUI
perficial features of the occasion seldom
study the remarkable ones which underlit
the pomp and ceremony the pageant anC
its pictures. They give little thought tt
the marvellous portions of it, to the per
fection of Institutions which com
plete that their purpose may be changed
with unrUified peace AMI the change dc
cepted by all with unquestioning faith
While monarchs tremble whenever the!
leave their crumbling palaces TO go abroad
for even an hour are fearful of the bulIe
or the bomb of the dissatisfied. Presiden
of the United states, full of honors an,
surfeit with power, rides simply along
broad aver ue thronsed with his cheerin:
fellow citizens, and with fellow citzei
~ his side. who will in a few minute
lucceed him in tie high Office which il
ROW his own.
Stupendous? The word is weak and un
I1eaning when used TO express the realit,
II the occasion. Today this occurred again
81 Washington and again the glory an
yerpetuity of freedom in its highest an
broadest sense was proven to an observan
world and another blow given to Tn
shackles that bind the limbs of so man
other peoples in the world.
Perfect Day.
On no other day in the memory of tn
Oldest participant in these great affairs di
nature present pleasing d mood. TIL
very elements seemed to combine to Civ
approval. and beneath d genial sun count
less thousands gathered TO bid one Presi
dent farewell and greet another. Never be
fore, either. did Washington present a pre-,
tier holiday appearance. The citizens wh