Evening star., 1901-03-04

The Inaugurations Of Jefferson and
Mckinley, Respectively.
SIMPLICITY OF ACTUAL CEREMONIES
Analogy of the Sentiment Preva-
lent at Both.
IN TEL f STIN G HIS TOR RY

IN NTERES STING HIS TORY
Contrasting the beginning of the nine
teenth with the commencement OF the twen-
tieth century, an observer is forced to ad-
NIT that politics has changed but little
in an actual sense Thomas Jefferson was
the first President inaugurated in the nine
teenth century, and the oath of office was
administered to him by Chief Justice John
Marshall, who before his elevation to judi
cial honors had been identified with a par
ty, the federalist, which was opposed in Its
views to those cherished by the party
democratic Uhen called republican)-which
elected jefferson. The oath of office was
administered to William Mckinley today.
just as it was four years ago, by Chief Jus
tice Melville w. Fuller. who, like Marshall.
was identified previous to his appointment
with the party antagonistic to that which
chose the man who took the oath.
These analogous circumstances are inter-
esting and worthy of thought, inasmuch
as they illustrate the remarkable strength
that underlies and pe:meates the republics
institutions. due to the fact that men OF
different and even opposite faith, far as
politics or religion is concerned. act to-
gether harmoniously when a common civic
purpose is to be carried out.
Simplicity on Both Occasions.
The actual ceremony of inducting Pres
ident was as simple a hundred years ago
as it is today and will be ever There may
be more pageantry and parade, more pam
oply and procession, but predominatfng
now, as it did then, is the patriotism of the
pSbulace, that tremendous potentialty that
makes dreams of Imperialism seem like
inane vagaries and assures the perpetuity
Of the republics institutions.
Jefferson walked; Mckinley rode. But at
the end of their journeys to the Capitol
both subscribed to the same oaths of Of
flee and both fulfilled their vows in their
letter and their spirit.
1t Is interesting to note that Mcktnleys 8
first Inauguration took place exactly 100
years to a day after the first President of
the United States, George Washington, re-
tired from public life, March 4, 1897. His
second Inauguration marks the centennial
of such events in the capital of the nation.
Washington was inaugurated March l.
17s9. in New York His second Inaugural
ton, in 1I93 took place in Independence
Hall, Philadelphia. Four years later John
Adams was inaugurated in the Quaker city,
and toward the close of his term the seat
of government was removed permanently
to Washington. His Vice President, JEFF
ferson, succeeded him.
JeRersOn's Inauguration.
A brief and enthusiastically simple
story is told of his inauguration in the Ma
tional Intelligencer, March @, 1901. It IS
as follows:
"At an early hour on Wednesday the city
of Washington presented a spectacle of un-
common animation, occasioned by the addi-
tion to its usual population of a large body
of citizens from adjacent districts. A dis
charge from company of Washington ar
tillery ushered in the day, and about 10
o'clock the Alexandria company of ritiemen.
with a company of artillery, paraded in
frOD of q Presidents lodgings
"At u o'clock Thomas Jefferson, attend
ed by a number of his fellow citizens.
| among whom were many members of Con-
gress, repaired to the Capitol His dress
was. as usual, that of plain citizen. with
out any distinctive badge of office.
He entered the Capitol under discharge
of artillery.
"On his entry into the Senate chamber
there were assembled the Senate and the
members of the House of Representatives.:
the members rose, and Mr.. Burr lett the
chair of the Senate, which Mr.. Jefferson
took
After a few minutes of silence Mr.. JEFF
ferson rose and delivered his address be-
fore the largest concourse of citizens ever
assembled here. After seating himself for
short period. he again arose and up
preached the clerks table. where the oath
of office administered by the chief
Justice after which he returned to his
lodgings, accompanied by the Vice Presi-
dent chief Justice and heads of depart
ments, where he was waited upon by a
LAS soon as he withdrew discharge of
artillery was made The remainder of the
day devoted to festivity, and at night
there was pretty general illumination.
Neither Mr.. Adams nor Theodore Sedg
wick, Speaker Of the House of Representa-
tives, was present at the inaugural cere-
mony. both these gentlemen having left the
city at daylight on that morning"
For many years there was an interesting
legend extant that jefferson had ridden
horseback to the Capitol, and after hitch
ing his horse had proceeded to the build
ing and taken the oath. 1t was due to the
diligent researches of the late DR.. s. c.
Busey that this romance was dissipa ted
Jefferson, as newly elected President, be-
ing then Vice President. arrived in Wash
ington November %, 1900. previous to the
assembling of Congress, and took lodgings
at Conrad & McMunn's apartment on New
Jersey avenue, occupying the site upon
which the Hotel Narnum now stands. This
is about 200 yards from the Capitol. He
did not remove thence to the Presidents
house until March 10, 1901.
bitterness of Campaigns.
There was political bitterness in the cam
paigns that preceded the choice of both
Jefferson and Mckinley, and both were
alike also in that no attacks were made on
the character of either in a personal sense.
In Jeffersons case the electoral college
failed to make selection, and that duty
devolved on the House of Representatives,
and only after a protracted controversy
was the father of the Declaration of Inde-
pendence chosen.
The immediate future will probably prove
that the calamity cheerers of 1901 will be
as disappointed were the same class in
1901.
The prophecies of Imperialism and crowns
and all that sort of thing which are so
Zealously agitated today are a counterpart
of the admonitions which followed Jeffer-
sons Inauguration, which was succeeded
by forebodings equally evil. Time will
fha al
groundless.
Want VIII Construed.
A bill In equity asking the court to con-