The news & observer., 1897-03-05
The Inauguration of
The New President

heen n day of national acclaIm--a nom
partisan demonstration of vast proper
tions by which the American people, with
out regard to section or political alliances,
have hailed a new President, and watch
cd the launching of his administration
upon unknown seas. 1t is the only day
in any Presidents career when from
sunrise to the putting out of lights in the
inaugural ball room there is unbroken
and enthusiastic celebration by citizens
of every section and every shade of poll
tical belief. Before readers scan these
pages the lines of the opposition will be
forming in the gray of the morning for
assault on the new administration. But,
for the one day, the people of all ranks,
and classes and politics, as if uttering
nations laundering voice, have welcomed
and aided to install their President, not
as the executive of any party, but as the
head of the national government 1t has
been a great state affair, not in its broad
est sense a tribute to the man, but ma
tional demonstration of respect for the
high office The weather was Appropriate
for such a day, gloriously beautiful.
No previous inauguration has equaled
it in careful preparations. In every fea-
ture outside the capitol jurisdiction, ex-
cent the visiting organizations, it IS a
Washington affair 1t is the only national
demonstration in which the unrepresented
residents Of the capital are the leaders,
and in sole control. They guarantee all
expenditures by public subscription, and,
through a large and energetic committee
Of it's most influential citizens, wash
;npton gives months of time and unre-
mitting effort to these preparations for
properly receiving a President. For
many years its inaugural committees
have been in the main, the same body,
made up about equally of Democrats ana
RanuhIcans 1t has always been true
that rhere has been equal enthusiasm on
tbe mart of both and that from anything
said in committee discussions 1t Woulh
never have been possible to distinguish
the party to which the speaker belonged.
This is q fair exponent of the Thoroughly
non-partisan character Of this nauonai
pareant. On this occasion Washington
has well played her brilliant part IN the
.onening drama of an administration.
The city was early astir. Its own
nonulation and the strangers within It's
gates moved in great tides from All quar-
ters towards Pennsylvania avenue 10 view
the decorations. Hours before the organ
ized columns passed over the lines of
march an army of visitors closed IN mass
far exceeding the formal array that was
IN follow. swarmed for hours over 1t.
The citizens Of every grade and station
IN most Democratic fashion took first
view of everything After this general
Gar
servants. numerously and CALAMITY at
tended. Mr.. Cleveland, whose stewardship
was ending, escorting Maj. Mckinley
to the capitol, where the honors and
burdens of succession were to be lald
upon him.
Meantime. from every quarter came
the sounds of bands leading the columns
into their appointed places east OF the
capitol, whence, later they would me
into united lines of the grand parade.
Great streams Of citizens poured INTO tile
immense spaces opened to them eastward
from the reviewing stand IN front or tiia
Senate wing. awaiting the appearance OF
the official party from the Senate cham
her. In and about that room the official
pageant Of the inaugural ceremonies
gathered. The Senate wing was closed
with the exercises and the few invited
guests which the contracted chamber
could accommodate. -Four tickets to each
Senator. two for Representative, twenty
as sole provision for the leading en-
,,loves and two hundred for the press
of the entire country, represented the
unofficial attendance. These crowded
the galleries and looked down on the con-
centrated representatives of our govern
mont IN its various branches, and the am
hassadors and ministers of the nation
The members of the defunct House OF
Representatives. leaving their chamber at
noon. appeared last upon the hoor OF
tho Senate. The new Vice-Presldent
took the oath of office, new Senator's were
1vyvorn in and until the waiting President
elect should proceed to the platform IN
FRONT of the Senate. and there be Inau-
gurated. Mr.. Hobart would be the act
ing President.
The nation could furnish no more I'M
Ycsing official audience. Crowded upon
The small floor of the Senate We're the
tbree coordinate branches of the gov
ernment in the persons of their most
nrominent men, the legislative branch
in force: the executive of the immediate
mast with his cabinet, and the new exc
cutiye and cabinet, representing the past
and the unknown future; the Supreme
conrt in its robes; the army and navy IN
their plumes, their gold and their glitter;
the diplomatic corps in its lace and decor
a+;ons. and citizens in ordinary dress
representing the unpretending millions
of the land.
The brief ceremonies were quickly over,
~ o43ciaI company forming in tWOS
6Ied ont Of the chamber and passed on
- +be nlatform at the east front. With
IT'S first appearance, the waiting thou
aands broke out into tremendous cheers
If welcome, which rolled and roared
while the procession, followed by the oc-
cupants Of the galleries, poured over the
;rnpoense platform and crowded its seats.
This general acclaim greeted the Presi-
dent-to-be with a shout which was the
climax of it's enthusiasm and as Maj.
IA dptivnr his imam