The Yale expositor., 1897-03-12


gesticulating like mad. Cheer after cheer
was given as the great mass OF people
crowded around and Struggled TO get near
the President. IL seemed almost provtden-
tial that many were not crushed In the
great throng, but so far as known no
casualties resulted. The President and
Yice-presdent waited for a moment and
then hastily left the stand and returned
TO the White House.
The many glories of the day we're
eclipsed by the brilliancy OF the various
night displays. 1t was at the brilliantly
ILLUMINATED pension building that politics
paid its tribute to society. There the dis
tinguished guests of the occasion paid
homage TO President Mckinley and the
new mistress OF the White House, and
later treaded the mazes of the dance The
inaugural ball is always the climax OF the
day. To the minds OF many there is moth
ing comparable TO It, They like TO see
the parade, they linger for a sight of the
prominent men and women, they occupy
their weary places on terraced stands for
hours to see the President and the inaugu-
ration party pass, but the hope of most OF
them, especially the ladies who have come
provided with exquisite gowns designed
and planned months in advance. is the
ball. The pension building is admirably
suited for this spectacular display II is
an enormous hall surrounding vast court
supported srpp0G , by huge huge pillars Of marble
great court became the ball room, the
decorations of which haV- 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 not been
anywhere excelled. They were both mag
mncent and wonderful in all their various
effects.
The presidential party, the notable fig
ures or officialdom, and the world OF
society. which IN Washington has the
diplomatic corps, and the army and navy
Tor conspicuous factors, delayed their ar
rival until fashionable hours The first
corners, however, were repaid for their
enterprise by TIE finest view, for with
out a great enough crowd to conceal the
hn dot sfs n l.,
seen to thS best advantage. From the
two balconies cncircling the hall high I'D
hundreds of people looked down as into an
arena upon the other hundreds OF stall
wart, black-coated men and richly-gowned
women who swept in continuous process
SION around and around the broad surface.
meantime, during the first hour before
the dancing was to begin. the spectators
were entertained by a concert from the
AMT White ~, uniformed military band which
Illled the gallery at the east end Of the
hall, and alternated with the orchestra
nigh up in the south gallery rendering cp-
cratic airs or stirring marches. The hui
man element of the ball was, after the
building had began to fill up, it's most in
teresting factor. The democracy of the
pressed itself upon a visitor. City and
country, society and ofiicialdom. even
black and white, touched elbows on
friendly terms in the general rotunda
Among the Acknowledgement women of
New York's 400, and from the society peo-
pie of every American city We're the visi-
tors from rural towns. OF dancing there
was none during the first two hours and
little thereafter for the floors were too
much crowded TO dance with comfort and
most OF the visitors chose rather to watch
the display than TO risk their toes and
garments in the crush.
The entire city was ablaZe with light
All the parks and public grounds were
illuminated, and the whole line OF march
Of the day. with its countless fiag-effects
and beautiful intertwinings and drapery
of the national colors shone clear and dis
| tinct Private illuminations Joined each
other from end to end of the avenue. The
immense public buildings seemed in
flames. At various points high over them
against the blackness of the sky, great
flags Illuminated by search lights, waved
clear and bright as II the spirits of the
upper air were active participants in this
national festival. This effect was magi-
CAL and moved the thousands below to
an enthusiasm which even the marvellous
scenes of the day had not kindled. As
the general illumination faded the search
lights began TO reveal the public build
ings and the Washington monument. The
capitol, the public library and the state.
war and navy buildings flashed suddenly
into light. each a wonderful and entranc-
ing mirage of the night, alternately fix
ing the breathless attention of the multi
tudes and suddenly disappearing into
darkness. The fireworks and the street
/ Examinations have not been equaled in
the past, and the entertainment for the
thousands who could not attend the ball
was varied and ample.
Never before was an administration
launched upon its unknown future with
more impressive or enthusiastic demon
stration. But now the lights are out in
the ballroom; the flags no longer CLEAN
against the darkness of the sky; the wild
acclaim of the multitudes is stilled; after
a day of fervent patriotic emotion the
national capital slept. With the sunrise
of the next day the new administration
which all our clans united to welcome
was compelled to take upon itself the
countless tasks which will test it's
strength. The prayers of all the nation
are with the new President that his four
years as our ruler may be full of happi-
ness to himself and his and may bring
the hoped-for prosperity TO our beloved
land.
Mrs. Cleveland came over from Prince
ton for the purpose of entertaining the
Mckinley party. She had arranged a
luncheon for the wife. mother and per-
sonal party of the President-elect in the
White House just prior to the review OF
was about to leave awaited their coming
about o'clock. The Mckinley party left
the capitol ceremonies ahead of the pro-
cession and of the two Presidents. They
were greeted in the blue parlor by Mrs.
Cleveland, Secretary Lamont and Col.
Wilson and escorted to the family din
ing room. AS soon as Mrs Cleveland had
greeted her guests she entered Secre-
tary Lamonts carriage, which had been
in waiting at the south front. and was
escorted by the secretary to his II street
residence, where they were shortly joined
at lunch by Mr.. Thurber and the members
of the outgoing cabinet and their ladies'.
Some time after o'clock Mrs. Cleveland
and Mr.. Thurber were Cfiven to the Penn
sylvania station, where they took Presi-
dent Thomson's pricate car for Princeton,
the ex-presidents future home.
1t was a little after o'clock when the
new President and Mr.. Cleveland reached
the White House through cheering