Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1897-04-08

surging waves Of sound gave way TO
still more impressive silence. He looked
out upon a wonderful scene. The
steps, the balconies and every pro-
lection OF the capitol front and the
dome were crowded. The front OF the
library svsarmed with people. From
every street aud avenue looked for.
ward toward the capitol projected
groups Of hersemcn and the heads of
columns awaiting orders to march:
and everywhere shining banners
waved.
The Oath administered.
Mai. Mckinley. standing on a raised
platform, was readily distinguished,
and those who could not hear were
well content 70 see. There was mi
vcrsal silence as the black robed JUS
tice OF the supreme court administered
the solemn oath which made William
Mckinley president OF the United
States. Then the seal of silence was
broken by the reign Of sound, deep.
swelling. all-pervading. dominating, as
il a surging sea were rolling over the
land before the driving OF a king OF
storms. AS the many bands joined the
mighty acclaim. the organized columns
marched into place, the grand review
was in motion, and the currents of hu-
manity began to follow toward tho
lines of its march. Moving promptly
In from all streets and avenues, cen
tering on the park east OF the capitol.
the column OF parade was quickly
formed along the spacious plaza ex-
tending in front Of the house and SEN
ate wings and the central buildings.
The new president entered his carriage
and the column, circling the great
white temple of the nation, In and
about which the tribes had gathered
with patriotic purpose. passed down
through It's beautiful grounds, aud
wheeling into Pennsylvania avenue at
h Peace monument, where it's real
march began. Looking from the head
Of the line at the Peace monument to-
ward the treasury and the White House
a mile and a half away, was like gaz-
ing into a broad canon whose high
walls were a mass of men, women md
flags. As a basis for decoration the
inaugural committee distributed 10000
national flags to all on the line OF
march who would use them in their
windows. SO great was the demand
that there would have been 100, 900
used IL they had been provided. Upon
such a background, each individual
owner builded and wrought out such
forms OF beauty as his enthusiasm and
his patriotism suggested. First vas
the clean swept floor of the wide ave
nue. roped i'm throughout lis length, and
clear OF every object save the lining of
police. The wide %pavenients on either
side throughout the line of march
were packed. Every window and cor
nice had its full quota of spectators.
and so upward To frinGes OF men along
he edges of the roofs. every available
point OF observation was crowded to
its capacity. The great stands which
lined all the parks and reservations
were beautifully decorated. Thus was
removed the former effect of the barn
like structures of rough lumber which
have heretofore marred all attempts at
a comprehensive decoration of the ave-
nue Over such triumphal way, and
thus honored by magnificent prepare
tons and the presence and
T~hunderous Applause
OF uneuding crowds. President Nc
kinley was escorted to the White
House, whence he soon proceeded to
the stand in front OF il TO review the
imposing columns of marching thou
sands which had followed him from
the capitol, eliciting at every step uH-
bounded admiration, and a wild ac-
claim, which. al intervals drowned the
music of the bands. The presidents
reviewing stand occupied two-thirds Of
the front OF the White House grounds.
The president stood In a projecting
area, shielded by glass. The audience
was notable in all its elements. The
official life of the nation vas fully rep
resented. The ambassadors and min-
isters of all nations honored the oc-
casion. The political magnates of
both parties had seats. The parade was
n famous column. notably cominap had.
Gen. Horace Porter, grand marshal. at
its head, recalled to all veterans the
campaigns of Grant, his chief. Follow
ing his numerous and brilliant staff,
upon which the IONS of Presidents
Grant. Hayes, Garfield. Arthur and
Harrison were prominent figures. came
Gen. Granville VI, Dodge, commanding
the first grand division. which en-
braced all the military organizations OF
the parade.
The many glories of the day were
eclipsed by the brilliancy OF the vari-
Gus night displays. The decorations Of
the ball room have not been equalled
before. II Is certain that they have
not been approached in this country.
Those who have attended noted fetes
abroad Insist that they have o been
anywhere excelled. The fireworks and
the street illuminations have not been
equalled In the past, and the enter
tainment for the thousands who could
not attend the ball was varied and
ample.
Never before was an administration
launched upon It's unknown future with
more impressive or enthusiastic dem
o~nstration.
The lights are out In the ball room;
the flags no longer CLEAN against the
darkness Of the sky: the city lights
burn low: the Wild acclaim OF the null
utudes Is stilled; after q day of fer
vent patriotic emotion the national cap
ital sleeps.
With the sunrise the new administra-
ton, which all our clans have united
to welcome. stripped itself for the
countless tasks which will test It's
strength