Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1897-03-11
The Inauguration.

avenue and saw one man go down q
president and come back citizen,
and another go down a citizen and
come back a president. The atten-
dant spectacle was imposing, but not
gorgeous, not such as would have sur
sounded crowned head, where tinsel,
and lace, and snowy uniforms glitter
in bewiidering spiendor. AS the pa
geant passed there was cheering, but
it was neither loud nor long, nor en-
thusiastic. The crowd seemed lifeless.
OF course when the president lifted
his hat and bowed to the Assem-
bled multitude, there was an apprecla-
tive response, but there was not that
hearty yell and cheer which so often,
we are told, greeted Cleveland four
years ago, or as greeted Fitz Lee as he
came by at the head of column OF
Virginia soldiers in that inaugural
parade. The Southerner with his
warm impulsive heart was not there,
his loud clarion voice was not there,
and perchance his bibulous appetite
was not there, SO to him it seemed
more like funeral than a great car
nival
Then too the parade was conglome-
rate. There were the stiff regulars.
the cavalry, the artillery, the infantry,
and the marines. Then came civil
soldiers, first a company of whites
then negroes and SO on alternating the
one with the other. Then old G. A. r.
posts and marching clubs which had
performed duty in the last campaign
came by. Then there were the Indian
boys from Carlisle, Penn which was
one of the most pleasing features OF
the parade, and they received what
might be termed an ovation. There
was one novel spectacle, it was small
band of men wearing gray hats and
gray macintoshes said to have once
been in the Confederate army. II
front of them was band on whose
drum was the name "Stonewall," anG
riding in front of the band a grey
haired gentleman who is said once tt
have commanded the "Stonewai
! Brigade" a famous body of infantry iI
the Confederate army.
The musical feature of this particu
lar part was good and the band pre-
sented a fine appearance in theil
ermine trimmed cloaks and caps, bu1
the Shenandoah Valley Patriotic
League of Confederate Veterans, which
is the name under which they mas
queraded, was sorry set to behold
They had not all seen the Confederate
army. in fact some were not within
the Confederate lines during the war
but the most of them had gone to the
inaugural to show, and did show, tina
while ee'r the lamp holds out to burn
the Yilest sinner may return These
were doves returned to the ark. bui
not in such quantities as had been ad
vertised. Not over one hundred an6
twenty including all the fakes the.
had dressed for the occasion, were or
hand, and it is to be hoped that moi
one except the general commanding
was ever in the Stonewall Brigade.
The first thing that happend to
these veterans was when the parade
started, that they were about to be
placed in the rear OF negro organiza
ton. Why they objected to this nc
one seems to know, but they objected
and trouble brewed for a while. The
negroes of course were then relegated
to the rear and they objected and very
naturally. But Sambo who had ALWAYS
been loyal, had to take back seat
whilst the "Old Confed" on whom the
light of loyalty had only recently
burst was put in front. When favore
are distributed, if ever. Sambo will
find himself again relegated to the
rear. How glad the president must
have been when he saw the result OF
the efforts of his friend Funkhouser,
of Rockingham, who is said to have
originated this idea and who wants
for his trouble only the Fourth Assis-
tant Postmaster Generals place or any
other place Mr.. Mckinley has to be-
stow. The novelty of this design and
the grand total of its results ought to
yield a rich return. That the Rev.
Apey out of ali the Confederate SOL
diers still living and out of all the
tramps that could be dressed as Con-
feds, only succeeded in getting into
line 100, speaks volumes for the old
rebel and assures us that there is some
self respect left in the tramDs.
Mr.. Mckinley looked well and he is
a man of fine face and commanding
pl essence. He had recovered from his
illness and whilst somewhat pale pre-
sented no visible signs of fatigue. The
day was bright and the crowd was
orderly, and all passed off quietly and
in season.
The nations ruler was changed il
few brief moments, and let US trust
that it will be for happiness and pros
perity, for safe guidance for four
years from wars. entan5ling alliances
and all that tends TO unsettle business
or create distrust.
---- ------
Mr.. J. Tayler Eliysen's Candidacy
We print this week an able presen
IA ti0u of tho causa of tho Hon Vra,y
lor Eilyson for the democratic nomi-