The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-03-11
THE BIG PARADE.
An Impressive Pageant Wended Its Way
Through the Thronged Avenue.

Washington, March 4.-To the genera
public, unfavored by invitations TO the
inaugural stand or to the senate cham
Der ceremonies, and unable to get with
in easy distance of the stand because OF
the presence ahead of them of thou
sands of their fellow citizens, the great
event of the day was the grand parade
of 10000 men, with bands playing. from
the capitol, two miles beyond the White
House. And the public was there, from
the capitol to the point of disbanIing,
thronging the avenue and filling stands,
windows, and every point of vantage.
The day was such Il glorious one thar
they waited patiently
A delay after Mr.. Mckinley had de-
hvered his inaugural address, owing to
the fact that it was deemed advisable
for President Mckinley to partake of
lunch at the capitol before resuming
the procession back to the White House,
whence he had emerged private citi-
zen earlier in the day, instead Of follow
ing the former custom of hating the pm
rade while he took lunch ut the White
House.
As President Mckinley and cx-Presi-
dent Cleveland, arm in arm, emerged
from the capitol after their lunch, the
cavalry buglers sounded salute the
troopers came to present arms, and the
great throng pressed forward to eaten
II glimpse of the new president. Cheer
after cheer were sent up, frightening the
horses 'and making some confusion in
bringing forward the handsome turnout
which was to bear the presidential party
to the White House
Mr.. Mckinley took the rear seat with
Mr.. Cleveland beside him. On the front
seat were Senators Sherman and Mitch
ell of Wisconsin.
Grand Marshal Porter gave the or
der to advance. the troopers swung into
company front, followed by the prcsi-
Dental carriage, drawn by four sleek
bays. 1t was one continuous ovation
from the start. The president raised his
hat time and time again, bowling and
smiling his acknowledgements. From
windows. roofs, and trees rang con
tinuous cheers, while flags and hand
greeting. Mr.. Mckinley, seeing that his
salutes were continuous, at last sat
bare-headed. hat in hand. waving ac-
acknowledgements 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 thorOughfare. When
the head of the parade came in sight OF
the thousands lining the way to the cap
itol. the magnificent stretch of broad as
phalt of Pennsylvania avenue was swept
as clean of intruders as though the whole
town was deserted, for behind the wire
rope steady patrol of police had forced
a hundred thousand persons. Ahead of
everything in the line of parade rode Maj.
William G.. Moore. chief of police oi
Washington. and with him Capt. Austin.
in full uniform. They were not schcd-
uled for this position in the official pre-
gram. and the majority of the crowd
chcered the police chief Justify, under
the impression it was doing honor to
General Horace Porter. grand marshal of
the parade. n.
Behind this advance guard came Il
dozen mounted policemen. and next the
Governors Island band. in the blue and
white uniform Of the infantry.
Then. in an apparently endless vista
down the avenue stretched the mag
nifcent array of the first grand military
division. Twenty files across, platoon az
ter platoon. in close order, they marched,
like great machine, glittering brass hcl-
NETS, flashing side arms, the bright sun
glinting on hundreds of bayOnets hat
stretched from side to side of the ave-
nue..
Viewed as a whole the procession pre-
sented the appearance of series of i'm
mense squares, each square regiment,
and between each the bright group of
officers and their stats. As
far as the eye could reach they stretched,
infantry in blue and white; the artillery.
with its dash of crimson: the marines,