The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-03-05
Past
lnaugurations
Story of the installations of Previous Presidents of
the United States.

become the seat of government. The de-
tails of the inaugural ceremonies were
arranged upon a somewhat more elaborate
plan, a great coach, drawn by six white
horses. conveying the President to the
meeting place of Congress on Chestnut
Street. Washington himself was attired
in an exceedingly rich and handsome cos
tune, his coat and knee smalIs being of
black velvet, the sleeve rufIles of silver
lace. He wore diamond shoe buckles
black silk hose, and his hair was daintily
powdered, while cooked hat completed
his adornment.
There existed. at the time of this second
Inauguration of Washington, a consider
able amount of bitter political feeling
against its central actor. Attack and
calumny had been literally showered upon
him by his opponents. which. however,
he did not deisn to answer, or even no
tice. Nevertheless. when he finally left
the Presidential chair, an old man, TO re-
tire again to the privacy of his home, the
heart Of the nation overlooked with ming
led sorrow and respect for the grand fig
ure that was to be lost to it for
ever.
The ceremonies upon the occasion that
marked in the public mind the retirement
Of Washington rather than the Inaugural
ton OF John Adams, were held in hide
pendence Hall. Philadelphia, in TIA House
Of Representatives. Washington drove TO
the hall in his coach and four and was
Justify cheered both outside and inside the
building He passed quickly to his seat
as il eager to stop the applause. Adams
entered a few minuees later. dressed in a
light drab suit, and passed slowly down
the aisle, bowling in response to the re-
spectful applause which greeted him He
took the oath, and then delivered his in
augural address. He afterward described
the scene as solemn and affecting, made
so principally by the presence Of Wash
ington, whose countenance was as serene
and uncleUded as the day There was a
food of tears dimmin7 the eyes Of his
successor, for which the latter admitted
having sought in vain to ascribe cause.
He affirms there was more weeping than
at the representation of tragedy, but
whether ii was from grief or joy whether
from the loss of their beloved President,
or from the accession of an unbeloved
one. or some other cause he could not say.
He suspected that the novelty of the sun
setting fulI-orbed and another rising.
though less splendid, may have had some
thing TO do with it. For several days af-
ter the exercises he was still wondering
at this tendency TO tears. Everyone was
annoying him by talking Of grief and he
was at length forced to believe that. 1t
was all for the loss of Washington. Two
or three had ventured to whisper In his
ear that his address had made a +; vora-
Bile impression, but no other evidence OF
interest In him had reached him. lie af-
iirmed that. personally, he was a being
of too much scnsibility to act any part
well. much less the prominent one he was
obliged to assume upon such an occasion.
When at the close OF the ceremonies
Washington moved toward the door, there
was a Drecipitate rush from the gallery
and corridors for the street, and he found
a great throng awaiting him as he emerg-
ed from the door. They cheered Kim, and
he wavcd his hat to them in return, his
counter. nee radiant with benignIty. He
walked to his house followed by the
crowd, and on reaching it, turned about
for final farewell. His face assumed a
grave and almost melancholy expression.
his eyes were filled with tears, and only
by gestures could he express TO the people