The National tribune., 1897-06-24
Mrs. JULIA d. GRANT.

was filed and not an architectural projec-
ton on the east front of the Capitol but held
a larger OF smaller specimen of humanity.
Even the monuments, trees and fences were
black with anxious lookers-on. The soft
landscape, the city spread out in the valley
below the winding Potomac beyond, The sea
of upturned faces, the glitter of muskets and
the red decorations of the artillery, formed a
picture beautiful to look upon and one never
to be forgotten.
The galleries in the Senate Chamber pre-
sented a most brilliant spectacle. Seats had
been reserved on the right Of the Diplomatic
gallery for the wives of the President-elect
and of the yice-President-elect and their
friends
Mrs. Colfax made her appearance in a
toilet Of cuir-colored silk, white bonnet and
green gloves Beside her sat Mrs. and Miss
Mathews, Mr.. Colfax's mother and sister,
and Mrs. Wade, who watched the proceedings
below. Mrs. Grant, modestly attired IN
black, entered and took the seat assigned her,
accompanied by her son in cadet uniform.
With intense interest they witnessed the Vice
President take the oath.
The hours of the 40th Congress drew to
close. and when the hands pointed to IL the
door opened, and the hero OF the day, clad in
neatly-fitting black dress suit, entered un-
tremendously and took the seat quietly
pointed out TO him, seemingly utterly obliv-
sous of the prying gaze of the thousands
around him. He sustained himself with dig
nifty. sinking the individual in the statesman.
He knew the requirements oil the hour and
fulfilled them.
INAUGURAL CEREMONY.
The eastern portico of the Capitol was occu-
pied by the high officials. Gen. Grant read
his Inaugural address and took the oath of
office making him President of the United
States. His Cabinet was as follows: Hamil-
ton Fish, of New York, Secretary of State !;
George s. Boutwell,, of Massachusetts, Secre-
tary of the Treasury; John A. Rawlins, of
Illinois, Secretary of War; George M. Robe
son, of New Jersey, Secretary OF the Navy !;
Jacob ID. Cox, Secretary of the Interior; j. A.
J. Creswell, OF Maryland, Postmaster-General;
Eben T. Hoar, of Massachusetts,, Attorney
General all men of culture, energetic action
and extended influence.
The Inauguration Of a new President must
10 be quite complete. be ushered in with the
pomp and parade of a bail. The memory of
the Oldest inhabitant runneth not back TO the
day when a new Administration was begun
without this time-hailowed custom, yet they
say there is always something the matter with
every Inaugural ball
The newly completed north wing of the
Treasury was procured for this one Its
broad corridors and spacious rooms gave
promise of space beyond need. The fiuted
granite pillars that had lain in their wooden
collins along Pennsylvania avenue for years
were in their places, with their heads point
ing toward heaven. On this occasion the
Fifteenth street entrance was the one used
for the guests. From one of the leading Jour-
mails Of the day we quote this description of
the brilliant scene presented within and with
out the building:
Radiant with color, glowing with light,
brilliant like tropical flowers or the plumage
of humming-h birds, and ever shifting and
varying like many-hued and constantly
changing kaleidoscope. Fair faces, lovely
FORMS. penetrant perfumes distinguished men,
renowned in war; craftsmanship, letters and
the other activities of life some clothed i'm
martial uniforms, others wearing the orders
and insignia of the Diplomatic Corps Great
waves of music pulsated along the corridors.
and all went merry as marriage bell
This is what the bali might have been. but
alas 1.-The best laid plans of mice and men
gang aft a-gley" Had the reporter waited
until anticipation had come to full fruition.
his story would have been something like
this taken from the pen Of an artist on the
spot:
THE agonies of that ball can never he
written. There are mortals dead in their
graves because of it. There are mortals who
still curse and swear and sigh at the thought
Of it. There are diamonds and pearls and