Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1897-03-13


1t seemed as If Washington's normal
population of 100000 had been swelled
by more than an equal number of Wis
iting strangers, and all were out to see
the sight. Every building on the line
of march was draped in bunting of the
national colors, and every window and
point of vantage was occupied. The
beautiful stars and stripes were every
where seen, with other appropriate
banners and emblems. In addition to
these festive demonstrations, $1,000
miniature United states flags had been
distributed by the committee of ar
rangements. These were exhibited at
all available points and were waved
with enthusiasm as the two presidents
and other known public men rode by.
The grand marshal entrusted with
the direction of the pageant was Gen.
Horace Porter, formerly of the staff of
Gen. Grant. His organizing skill had
been tested in peace as well as in war
notably in the conduct of the great
sound money procession through the
narrow streets of New York City last
October, during the presidential cam
paign. With the broad avenues and
ton, Gen. Porter had full opportunities
to display his genius for controlling
the movements of large bodies of men
and he availed himself of them. From
the nature of the days proceedings
there were naturally two professions,
though they merged into one massive
and impressive body, part military,
part civic, and each most effective.
The escort, largely military, but also
consisting of governors of different
states and other distinguished guests
of honor, which accompanied the presi-
dent and president-electt to the Capitol,
formed in the immediate vicinity of the
| White House. The civic organizations
which followed the president and ex-
president on their return journey from
the Capitol to the White House, were
formed on streets adjacent to the Capt.
tol grounds. They were so arranged
that each division fell into line at the
appointed time without delay or confu-
sion.
The military division, preceded by a
platoon of mounted police and followed
by band, was headed by the grand
marshal, his staff and aides, 800 in
number, selected from all the states in
the Union, all mounted, some wearing
crimson sashes and others white. By
a happy thought invitations had been
extended to all the living sons of those
| who had served as the nations chief
executive, and U. S. Grant (third),
Webb C. Hayes, Harry A. Garfield,
Chester A. Arthur and Russell Harri-
son served as special aides on the occa-
sion.
The first division of the military pa
rade, commanded by Gen. Wesley Mer-
ritt, included battalion of United
States engineers, the Seventeenth Uni
ted States infantry, four batteries of
artillery, regiment of marines; 500
sailors of the North Atlantic squadron
made up from the crews of the New
York, Columbia and Indiana, and COM
manded by Capt. Sands, of the Colum-
bia, followed battalion of light artil-
| lery and regiment of United States
cavalry.
President-elect Mckinley, who had
left his rooms at the Ebbitt house suf-
ficiently early to pay his call of cere-
mony on the retiring president, was
driven to the White House, escorted by
the senate committee appointed for
that purpose, where he was welcomed
by President Cleveland and his cabi-
net. Then the two presidents de-
scended the White House steps and to-
gether entered four-horse carriage,
Mr.. Cleveland sitting to the right, and
amid the booming of cannon, the clat-
ter of cavalry, the rumble of artillery,
the tramp of many columns of infan-
try and the blare of innumerable
bands, the march to the Capitol began.
In another four-horse carriage follow
ing the president rode Vice President
elect Hobart and the senators deputed
| to escort him to the scene of his future
duties. Then in a long stream of car
riages came the distinguished guests.
The presidents personal escort was
Troop A, of Cleveland, o., 100 cavalry
men mounted on coal black chargers,
and detachment of veterans from the
Twenty-third Ohio volunteers, Mai
McKinley's old regiment
Gen. Nelson Miles, commanding the
United States army, and Rear Admiral
George Brown, ranking officer of the
navy, in full uniform, rode immediate
| ~ dibci tiiC Inc
second brigade of the first division con-
sisted of the national guard of the Dis
trict of Columbia. A more brilliant
scene than this part of the pageant
presented could hardly be pictured.
The yellow plumes, scarlet-lined cloalks
and bright blue tunics of the cavalry;
the huge black bear skin shakos and
snow white trousers of the national
guard; the gaily caparisoned and gold
bedecked officers of the staff; the vivid
crimson and gold-laced coats of the
famed Marine band, contrasting with
the blue uniforms of the marine corps,
and the picturesque costumes of the
sailors formed constantly changing
Kaleidoscope picture of flashing light
and color extremely beautiful to wit
ness.
The second division of the parade