The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1899-09-06
A MATTER OF HISTORY.
The Inauguration Of President Jefferson
Davis.
Southern Ho,ec ,Jo,mmal.

February 22d was selected as the in
auguration day Of the President Of the
Co nfederate States. This day was pc
culiarly fitted for the occasion, as was
mentioned by the President in the
opening Of his inaugural address. 1t
was the birthday Of the man most
identified with the establishment OF
American independence, and the ex-
ercises we held beneath the monument
erected to commemorate his heroic
virtues and those Of his compatriots.
The day, the memory and the pur-
pose seem dtly associated said Mr.
Davis.
Inauguration day dawned upsn
Richmond in the midst Of rain and
mud. 1t rained as if the clouds them
selves were going to come down and
interfere with the cermonies. From
dawn until evening steady stream
poured down, but in spite Of ev-
cry disadvantage, the Inauguration
Of the first President Of the Confeder-
ate States was successfully celebrated,
and nothing but the dampness tended
to mart the perfect enjoyment OF the
thousands who Witnessed the cere-
mony.
The city was full of visitors, the
hotels crowded almost beyond their
capacity. By niue o'clock in the
morning, the people began to wend
their way up the capitol hill. The
platform was erected just beneath the
statue of Washington, occupying the
space between the colossal figures Of
Jefferson and Mason. A hastily con-
structed canvas served to protect the
occupants during the ceremonies.
Numerous Confederate flags were
tastefully arranged around the plat
form.
At ten o'clock the Senate met, but
adjourned without transacting any
business, to join the House Of Repre-
sentatives in the hall of the Virginia
house Of delegates. Here the presi-
dent and the vice-president were re-
ceived by the assembly standing. AS
twelve o'clock approached the vast
crowd outside began to show the US
uaf signs Of impatience. Such express
sions as,'"Here he comes; hurrah for
JEFF Davis" were numerous and inva-
riably followed by cheers, and the
swaying to and fro Of the multitude.
a few moments after twelv- Messrs.
Davis and Stephens, accompanied by
Mr.. Hunter, descended the eastern
steps Of the capitol and entered a car
riage, preceded by the marshal of the
day. The carriage moved off in the
direction Of the Washington monu-
ment, followed by motley, strug-
Cling crowd. The multitude already
on the ground were exhorted to make
way for the procession by the mar
shal, who announced his presence in
the following extraordinary style:
aGentlemen, get out Of the way; here
comes JEFF Davis. This was follow
ed by ensthousand people shouting,
aHurrah for JEFF Davis The mere
mention of his name was all that was
required to raise deafening uproar.
Now all eyes were turned toward the
Z platform upon which the magnates OF
the Confederacy we're beginning to
show themselves. As the care-worn
features of the beloved chief magis-
trate were recognized, shout like
thunder went up from The people.
The rain was coming down in torrents
but hats we're waved and thrown in
the air, with enthusiastic vehemencs.
The President smiled and bowed.
When all were comfortably seated.
prayer was offered by the Right Rev
erend Bishop Johns, of the Episcopal
Church, after which the President ad-
vanced to the desk. Cheers again
rent the air. He bowed pleasantly,
drew out his manuscript, and began
the reading of the inaugural address,
which was in part as follows:
"The people Of the States no~ con-
federated became convinced that the
government Of the United States had
fallen into the hands Of sectional
majority, who would pervert that most
sacred of all trusts to the destruction
Of the rights which it was pledged to
2rotecs. They believed that to re-
main longer in the Union would sub
lect them to q discontinuauce OF a
disparaging discrimination: submis-
sion to which would be inconsistent
with their welfare, and intoierable to
.,l, Tbov tharofOro de.