New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-05

.oo,,ra genert Rlit in the few and scattered
,,ces which turn with sympathy and affection
toward a forsakcn chief, the outgoing rreS'oe"'
can read only too plainly the four years S'o''
~ Democratic incompetency and dissenslon, 10
which a welcome "fnis" IL soon to be written
by the exercises the Capitol steps
Not that Mr. Cleveland Is likely to take greatly
to heart the suggestions OF personal 1a""'e
which the apathetic glances Of his once enthusi-
astic supporters convey. and which every chahge
OF personnel In the roll Of the new senate do
It is announced at the Vice-Presidents desk
seems only to emphasize. Though shorn OF
power himself and condemned to see his own
faction Of the Democracy practically wiped
from the board OF National politics. the retiring
President. true to his own ideals OF consistency
and policy. is content no doubt, to leave 10
future rather than contemporary, Judgment the
hral verdict onAhis career.
1t is indeed. too early to estimate the part
which he has played In this last quarter OF a
century Of American politics. Clouded by de-
feat, he still remains grandiose. though SOIL
tary figure and even his implacab,c enemies
in the Senate cannot. without come hidden sent-
n1ent of admiration, him rise to pass from
view beneath it's Intel for the last time.
FROM SENATE CHAMBER TO PLATFORM.
The installation Of the Yice-Presdent over, Mr..
Cleveland slowly leads the way with his sue
cessor in office toward the door and out upon the
platform where the oath is to be taken Still
nomnally entitled to precedence and authority
he becomes from this point the minor actor In
the drama, within the next few minutes to be
submerged as a mere private citizen in the conn.,
mon mass which has eyes and ears only for the
actual ard prospective. not the deposed and
disgarnished holder OF the magic sceptre of
political power
Compared with the ceremonial in the Senate
chamber. so hedged with exclusiveness and the
seventies Of oftlcalism. the open|air function on
the portico strikes at once commercially freer
and more popular note. In 1t the great public
which has gathered to witness the Inaugural
ceremonies has at least visible part. From the
platform on which the oath was administered.
east. south and north stretches the wide as
phalted plaza Of the Capitol. to-day level OF
upturned faces set against the green OF the en-
crcling park and the soft gray OF the great
Library Building. with its flaming dome of gold
TAKING THE OATH OF OFFICE
Before an audience vast so overwhelming
the ceremony Of the oathtakng and the Inaugu-
raj address must necessarily take on something
Of the air of pantomime Yet the inspiration
OF the scene on all participants is genuine and
lasting, and no portion Of the Inauguration pro-
gramme is more deeply rooted In popular regard.
James Madison who. like President Mckinley.
wore suit Of American made CLOTH to point
moral Of his advent TO power, the first to
discover the significance and impressveress Of
the open air ceremony on the Capitol steps, and
though after one trial 1t was dropped, 1t
effectively revived by Jackson at his first Inau-
guration and has continued the unbroken usage
since
Inaugural addresses have been long and short
brilliant and mediocre In good taste and in bad
taste. From the steps of the main portico Will
lam Henry Harrison read that intermnable ad-
dress out Of which the ruthless pen Of Webster
had struck overnight the names and accomplish
ments Of twenty Roman pro-consuls. The same
open arch served as a background for the sober
eloquence Of LincCln's first inaugural and the i'm
mortal prose poetry OF his second. Recent Presi-
dents have shown a tendency to lengthen the In
augural address, and thus in years Of midwinter
buster have added new terrors to the outdoor
portion Of the programme.
MAJOR MKINLEY's WISDOM SHOWN.
Major Mckinley to-day showed a wise and dis
eliminating moderation for though the elements
encourasngly In his favor he did not i'm
pose too tedious strain either on himself or the
vast multitude which at least the dumb
show of Presidential installation from the Cap
itol plaza Though longer that the average in
augural address. that delivered to-day will per-
haps stand conspicuous for practically and d.
rectnesS In its discussion of the problems which
confront an incoming Administer tlon which have
been conspicuously missing on recent occasions
which need not now be specifically recalled
The interval between the close Of the ceremony
on the portco and the appearance of the Presi-
dent and his party in the White House reviewing
stand has always been the most difficult to
bridge over in an Inauguration programme. In
these more civil times. which would condemn as
inexcusable the brusque examples set by John
Adams in stealing away from the White House
the night before Jefferson's Inauguration. or by
John quincy Adams in gallopng off among the
MARYLAND hills to escape the thunder OF the guns
which announced the elevation of Jackson to the
Presidency a hurried luncheon given by the out
going to the incoming Presidential family has
usually ended the retiring chief magistrates du-
ties as an official host. This curious meal to
which from twenty to forty people Of the two
households sit down. has long served as a canvas
for the painter Of the chagrins and Civilizations
real or imaginary, which lie beneath the surface
Of a self-conscous and watchful civility For
these playful contrasts to-day's luncheon Afford
ed no field. however; for though the board was
spread at Mrs. Cevelands direction. neither she
nor any member Of the family had a share In the
feast. Mr.. Cleveland hurrying off alone on a
duckng trip Immediately after the ceremony at
the Capitol. and Mrs. Cleveland and the children
taking early afternoon train for Princeton.
REVIEWING THE PARADE
The repast at the White House finished with
an expedition. which. though urgent. seemed all
too lingering to the impatient spectators in
the crowded public stands and to the paraders
at rest In the approaches to the avenue. The
signal for the head of the procession to start
was at last given as the refreshed and salts