Evening star., 1897-03-04

had devoted themselves to the duty of cele-
brating the coming of such an honored
citizen TO live among them had covered
themselves with glory The gentle breezes
undulated the folds of 10000 starry en-
tlems of freedom The cornices and win
dows and walls of countless buildings were
Nreathed in the same bright hues that
make those emblems beautiful. The i'm
mense stands erected in the vacant spaces
presented picturesque harmonies, with
bright banners, green gariands and the
nulti-colored dresses of the fair women
who so largely occupied them.
Popular Demonstration.
There have been many inaugurations in
Washington. but in many respects that of
March 4. 1897, will go down in history
excelling all that have gone before
The citizens of the capital city worked to
that end, with a degree of energy un-
known even in this public-spirited COM
munity. AS late fortnight ago there
were doubters-lowering clouds of ''finan-
cial depression cast heavy shadows over
otherwise bright prospects, and there was
apprehension that the great Quadrennial
ceremony might be lacking in some re-
spects. But these fears were unfounded
and the great popular demonstration of
today was unique and shining success
In every particular. In beauty, in taste
in novelty, the decorations Of the city were
II comparably superior to anything ever
seen in Washington; the magnificent body
of regular United States troops was more
numerous than any gathered since Grant's 8
great display at the close of the war; sew
enteen sovereign states had their citizens
in the line Of parade and over sixty civil
organizations helped swell It's magnificent
proportions.
Great Parade.
The line of march of the parade was
lcrger than usual-full four miles, in fact
Tade so to ease the pressure of spectators
upon the line in the central section of the
city and to insure the maintenance of the
line unbroken. General Horace Porter,
the grand marshal, reviewed the parade
street. well toward the place set for dis
banding. There was besides no lack of
other features to interest people. To wit
ness all this display there was mighty
gathering of the American people in the
capital. For weeks the railroads and
steamboats, have been hauling heavy loads
of pilgrims to the heart Of the nation. AS
! the 4th drew near these grew even larger,
| and all through the night and throughout
| the forenoon hours today accessions SWELL
| ed the great total of strangers. Thanks
| to the perfect arrangements made by the
| citizens committee, all of these were well
| cared for, and no one will go forth from
| Washington with just ground of complaint
/ on the score of neglect.
| Teats were in great demand. The bril-
! liant day sent the stock of the grand stands
up several points, and by 10 o'clock there
| was scarcely a seat to be had on any OF
| the big stands. Nearly every building
| along the line of march that had window
commanding a view of the avenue was ir
the market. and these higher-priced eyries
sold out slowly, many of them having theil
| For rent signals flying when the parade
began to form at the Capitol for the return
march to the White House.
Forming the Line.
The regular troops which formed the escor
of the presidential party to the Capitol he
gan to form in front of the White House l..
. o'clock. The 18th Infantry was the frs
on the ground and was soon followed b,
$40 marines in storm coats, who swung vi
be tween the White House and the treasur,
at a quickstep and filed along the avenu
west of 18th street where they were halte,
to make way for the artillery which cam
in at trot and parked its guns in tn
square west Cf the old Corcoran Art Gal
lery.
Five minutes after 10 o'clock the Presi
dent-elect emerged from his reception room
on the arm of Senator Sherman. He look
ed calm and walked firmly. Just benin
him came Secretary Porter with Senate
Mitchell of Wisconsin. Capt. Heistand wit
Abner Mckinley brought up the rear an
kept back the people who pressed upon tn
party even in the hotel corridors AS tn
President-elect emerged from the priya;
entrance of the Ebbitt on 1+th street be
side the tall form of Senator Sherman ther