The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1901-03-07
INAUGURATION CEREMONIES
Amidst Pomp and Splendor Pres
ident Begins Second Term.

was banked tier on tier on the marble
steps.
Just before 1 O'Clock drizzling
sleet, with hail, began to fall and over
the sea of heads were countless um-
brellas, some of them of fantastic color
and patriotic hue. The sky turned
somewhat gray to black and the signs
looked ominous. But the crowd held
it's ground unmindful of the lowering
sky and slanting hail.
It was just o'clock when the official
party came through the main doorway
of the capitol. All eyes were strained
toward the distinguished group as
they appeared. Usually the president
comes among the first, but on this
occasion there was entire change and
instead of having the president wait
until all the officials were in place the
presidential party did not appear until
all the invited guests had assembled
and everything was in readiness to
administer the oath.
By this time the hail had turned in
to steady drizzie of rain making the
officials and the ambassadors shift un-
easily under the downpour.
When the special guests had been
ushered to their seats there was mo-
mentary lull and silence fell upon the
great concourse as it strained to catch
the first glimpse of the president.
AS President Mckinley stepped out
on the portico in full view of the wait
ing multitude, great cheer went up.
The president bowed his acknowledge
ments of the greeting. With him was
Chief Justice Fuller, prepared to ad-
minister the oath.
Through the lines of senators and
officials, all standing to do him honor,
the president proceeded to the central
pavilion, going forward to the railing
and facing the vast assemblage at
close range, again and again bowling
his acknowledgment to the tremend
GUS cheers from 40, 900 throats. Then
he turned and shook hands with Vice
President Roosevelt, while another
great cheer went up as the two centra!
figures. Mckinley and Roosevelt,
stood out above the crowd.
Now again and deep hush fell up
on the assemblage as the president and
the chief justice advanced to the CEN
ter of the pavilion.
The president removed his hat and
then he raised his right hand. In the
intense stiffness family could be heard
the solemn words of the oath to main
tain inviolate the constitution and
laws of the United States. He spoke
in a strong voice, easily heard by those
near the front of the stand. His face
looked very grave as the oath was pro-
nounced. There was no demonstration
as he concluded the oath. Now he
turned again to the people and advanc-
ing to the rail of the pavilion began
his inaugural address.
As the president spoke the pent-up
clouds gave out their full force and
the pelting rain came down in sheets,
throwing watery veil over the drip
ping multitude. Under his pavilion
the president was well protected, and
there was no faltering in the address
as the down-pour continued.
As he raised his voice in a resound-
ing phrase for ''Free Cuba" there was
a shout of approval, and frequently he
paused to allow some well-turned SEN
tence to receive its tribute Of popular
approval. .--
As the president closed his address
the vice president and many senators
grasped his hand in congratulation.
Then he returned to the capitol, pro-
ceeding to the senate wing, where a
lunch had been spread in the COM
mittee room of the committee on mill
tary affairs. Here the president was
joined by the vice president, the in
augural committee, distinguished Off
GERS of the army and navy and number
of senators and other invited guests.
Half an hour was spent in taking re-
freshments.
Soon after the booming of cannon
and blare of bugles announced that the
president was ready to proceed to the
white house and the time had come for
the marching hosts to move, column
after column of the uniformed ranks
swung into position.
It was 2:2a~e.ett0ck WHEN they took
tkeir place in the parade and the pro-
cession, which had Strengthened out,
started fairly for the white house, a
mile and half away.