Evening star., 1897-03-05
Fitting Close Of the Ceremonies In
Quoting The President
Into Office.

and of the military companies that had
come to the capital to take part in Presi-
dent McKinley's Inauguration could be
seen. The toilets of the ladies were the
most fashionable and designed with the
greatest taste that could be brought to bear
upon their work by the most noted mo-
distes of the country. 1t was nearly
o'clock when the overture to "Tannhau-
SER was given by the band, and as the
strains of that charming composition re-
sounded throughout the ball room the
thousand couples on the floor moved In
harmony with the music. Then 1t was
that there seemed to be a blending in
wondrous harmony of sound. move Gent,
color and form. 1t was impossible to i'm
agine that anything could be added to en-
hance the beauty of the scene. 1t was per-
feet in every detail. and was such an occa-
sion as the capital had never before wit
messed
The Executive Party.
1t was while this grand panorama was
at the height of its movement that 1t was
noised about that President and Mrs. Nc
kinley had arrived. The man who is look
ed upon as the one to carry his country
from the throes Of depression and bring
it again into condition of prosperity
came into the building at the west en-
trance supporting his invalid wife on his
arm, she being also assisted by Mr.. Bell,
chairman of the inaugural committee The
Ntapcleonic features of this quiet and
wonderful man were immovable. as they
have been ever since fortune marked him
to be the ruler of 10OOO.OOO people. com
posing the greatest nation on earth and
the greatest and freest republic that has
existed since the world began. The sensi-
tive countenance of his wife was pale,
but was animated In anticipation of the
regal scene that was to burst upon her.
II was with great difficulty that she could
move along with the assistance of those
slowly and with an effort that caused pain
and sympathy on the part of all who saw
how she struggled to remain by the side
of her husband in the realization of the
greatest ambition to which any American
can aspire. she moved up the flight Of
stairs that led to the first balcony. Thence
trey made their way down a passageway
lined with men and women distinguished in
the history of the country to the apart
ments reserved for the President and his
VIE As they entered these apartments
they were attracted by faint odor of
mowers The first of these rooms could
been prepared for the reception Of an orr
entail monarch. Over the walls eyerywhere
was entwined the southern smilax The
same colors that predominated in the hall
room were continued there with the addi-
ton of crimson drapery about the door
ways. A large mantelpiece was massed
with evergreenS and roses, red and white
In the corners of the room were banks Of
acacia blossoms, and dainty ferns we're
added here and there, lending a delicacy
10 the adornment of the room Over car
pets that sank under their tread they pass
ed through this beautiful apartment into
smaller room. Here again they were in
noraI bower. The most perfect har-
mony Of color and form had been main
tained. and as Mrs. Mckinley sank into
sumptuous easy chair placed in the CEN
ter or the room to receive her. the strains
OF the orchestra stationed in the bail room
reached her. Surely nothing could have
been more regal. No grateful people of n
Eat1on could have prepared with more
care for the reception of the chief magis-
trate of the nation, to whom they look
for Observation-Disclosures to guide leg
islation that will return prosperity 10 the
country.
rangements had prepared an impromptu re-
ception, but the delicate condition of health
| Under which Mrs. Mckinley suffered did
not permit this arrangement to be carried
out. She was hardly able to visit the ball
room. to climb the stairs and to go to the
apartments reserved for her. She was ut
terly unable to act as the hostess. She
would have sunk under any attempt to re-
| gathering that would have gladly paid heI
| court Only few members of the diplo.
| matte corps and small number of those
waiting to extend their congratulations tc
! the President and his wife could be re-
| ceiyed. Mrs. Mckinley rested awhile anG
| then again on the arm of her husband
slowly and with evident pain moved from
the sumptucus apartments to the balloon,
OF the ball room. There she was given
| seat on platform overlooking the magni
| ficent panorama, her husband by her side
| and Mrs. Hobart seated at her right Vic,
| President Hobart standing at their side
| AS the President viewed the moving seen,
| on the floor below smile played over hi
| lips. AS the people below caught sight O
| the party President and Mrs. Mckinle!
| smiled and bowed. and 1t was evident tha
| lad not the occasion being unsuited for
| noisy demonstration that vast gathering
would have Joined In a chorus of hurrahs
AS IT was they contented themselves will
| merely looking toward the presidential
| party and smiling as they caught looks o
recognition on the faces OF the Pres!den
ard hts wife. Mrs. Mckinley was still
pale. but amid the pain which was the re
| suit OF her i'll health she showed mucl
pleasure in viewing the scene.
1t was then announced that Mr.. and Mrs
| Mckinley would go through the ball room
and the dancers with one accord banke
themselves on either side Of a passagewa,
that enc:rcled the room. 1t was some tim
still before Mrs Mckinley could move fur
ther. and when she was able to do SO sh
was not strong enough to pass througi
more than half of the room. and was the
escorted to the apartment where supper ha
been prepared. and in short time tn