The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-03-04
Nothing Like Those Incl
dent TO Inauguration.
How HOnOrS are Paid to Ma
tiOn'S New Presidents.
Custom Began When the Country
Was Still in It's Infancy.

| WASHINGTON, March 4. - Special. -
| These Inaugural parades have become well
established periodical pageants in the re-
] public No other nation has anything like
them. Once in awhile the monarchics Of
| Europe have coronation which il effected
| with tremendous pomp and ceremony, but
so far as is known here none of the great
republics, like France and Mexico, emulates
our example in great paradcs on the occa
sion of inducting into Office new prcsi.
dent. The custom of escorting the prcsi-
dent elect TO the place where he takes the
oath of Office with troops and marching
companies began with us in the infancy OF
the nation. When George Washington
drove from Mount Vernon TO New York to
become the first president, he was not only
given n grand ovation along the route, but
be was met in New York by military cs-
cort, After taking the oath Washington
went 10 church and gave thanks 10 proyi-
dence. In the evening they had fireworks.
Washington also received the members OF
congress, custom which was not followed
in after years.
The second time Washington was inau.
gurated, at Philadelphia, there was fine
display of military, and in the evening a
ball was given, the first of long line OF
such entertainments In which the ladies
could play part. John Adams was also
inaugurated at Philadelphia with a pa.
ride, "a ball and other demonstrations.
This was the last of the inaugurations
away from Washington, for during the
closing days of Adams administration and
just az the beginning of the century the
government was removed 10 the new capi
tai on the Potomac.
Jefferson Rode Horseback.
John Adams, for some reason or othei
which the historians have never properly
explained, failed TO do the courteous thing
by his successor. Instead of riding 20 the
capital with Jefferson, Mr.. Adams left
town early in the morning of the inaugural
day. jefferson had intended to ride to the
capitol with coach and four and expect.
Ell Mr.. Adams TO accompany him. Fol
some reason, probably on account Of Mr..
Adams departure from the city, the coach
was not Mt Mr.. Jefferson's lodgings at the
appointed hour, and SO the president elect
mCLItcd his Virginia mare and rode TO
the capitol, hitched her TO the fence, en-
tered the senate chamber and took the
oath Of Office This ceremony over, he
mounted his mare again, rode back to his
lodgings and held a reception There was
a parade on 5his day, several military com.
panics marching up and down in front OF
Jeifcrson's lodgings, but they did not es
cort him 10 and from the capitol. There
was no ball at night, but the citizens OF
the town, then a dirty, struggling village,
illuminated their houses.
jackson Supplied Punch.
When Andrew Jackson came in, the
parade was much the largest that had ever
been seen. His friends were juiblant over
his success after his defeat by Adams, and
Young Hickory" clubs, which had played
such an important part in the campaign,
descended upon the capital in great mum
bers. Washington was then town OF
$4,000 or $4,000, and its hospitality was
taxed 10 the utmost. General jackson
rode his fayorite white horse to and from
the capitol and took the oath Of Office In
the open air in the presence of great
multitude When the crowds reached the
White House, they found that several bar
rcls of punch had been provided for their
entertainment. Many of them became in.
toxicated, and the scenes were so unpleas
ant that on tho occasion of his second in,
auguration General Jackson left out the
punch. John Quincy Adams initiated his
fathers example and remained away from
the inaugural ceremonies OF mis- successor.
Van Buren, 5 inaugural parade was much
like its predecessors, but when General
Harrison came In after the "Tippccanoe
and Tyler, TOO, F" campaign excitement was
at fever heat The parade which escorted
General Harrison to the White House was
the greatest ever seen in Washington up to
that time. The procession was over mile |
long. Ii was composed of military socie.
ties, political clubs, trade displays and was
rcplete with log cabins, live coons, barrels |
Of hard cider and ingenious reminders of |
the hot campaign. The .eterafr Indian |
fighter rode To the capitol ut the head Of |
the procession mounted upon his fayorite |
war charger. He was barchcadcd practi- |
cally ali OF the time, and Notwithstanding |
the inclcmcncy of the weather. light |
snow falling, he appeared to like IL. Ho |
caught cold, pleurisy dcyoloped, and he
iied i'm n month. His funeral was the oc-
,asion OF another great demonstration.
Military Enthusiasm.
When the Democrats came hack into |
power with the election of Polk over Clay, |
hey set out to oclipsAyhe Harrison inau-
yural record. For the first time in the his |
,ory of the country largo numbers of out
Il town military organizations partici-
,ated. Baltimore and New York military |
'lubs were conspicuous in the procession.
One of the latter brought gun with him
md fired it with SO much energy and pow
Ter that IL broke lot Of windows in
he public buildings President Tyler held
! reception at tho WhiLs House.
The pageant which did honor 10 tho in
of General Taylor was very
picturesque, for 1t brought to the front
many heroes of the Mexican war "Old
Rough and Ready" as the president was
hcctionatcly called, rode 10 and from the
apitol with President Polk, accompanied
~ great number Of Rough and Ready
lubs and many military organizations
The martial spirit of the times found vent
n the appearance In the parade of "A COM
amy Of boys, well drilled and carrying
Iuns, the first record of cadets In an in
ugurol parade. In the evening there
we're two inaugural balls. a little more
han year later the funeral of General
.aylor was the greatest pageant ever seen
n the capital. General Scott commanded
Inc military escort, and the funeral car
ras drawn 10y eight white horses. After
n II. /. 4