The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1901-03-14

Point and Annapolis cadets, marching
with clockwork precision, and the
rough riders upon their bronehos. The
| Porto Rican regiment, the Richmond
Greys. in Confederate grey. and the
| college students from the principal uni
yersities set the crowds of again and
! again. The national guard of the sew
| eral states made a brilliant showing.
and many OF the governors riding with
their STATS were overwhelmed with en-
| thusiasm. Darkness fell as the last OF
| the procession tramped by the review
| ing stand.
The expected review by the president
| OF the veterans who formed his escort
| to the Capitol was declared OF. Il was
contemplated that the veterans should
march through the court of honor af-
ter the general parade was over. At
that hour, however, it was growing
dark and the ranks Of the old soldiers
had thinned out somewhat because OF
the inclement weather. In view Of
these conditions Gen. Sickles decided
to abandon the review
The brilliant pyrotechnic display
scheduled for the night was postponed
| on account Of the weather.
No Grand March at Inaugural Ball.
The eliminating event of the inau-
gural festivities was the inaugural ball,
held last night in the vast auditorium
OF the pension Office, with men and wo-
men distinguished in every walk Of
life touching elbows dancing and min
Cling with the plain American citizen.
AS a spectacular event it was unparal-
ielled in the history Of inaugural balls,
IN the sumptuousness of arrangement,
in the bewildering splendor of decora-
lions and of marvellous electrical eff
1ects and in the countless thrOngs TAX
lnG in the spectacle.
i United States marine band and
an orchestra of over a hundred pieces
were stationed at one end of the hall,
and for an hour before the arrival Of
of the presidential party played patri-
otto airs.
The presidential party arrived at
1918 O'Clock. They were preceded by
a giittering array of officers in full
uniform, and were escorted to the pri-
vate offices Of Commissioner Evans,
which had been lavishly decorated.
Senator and Mrs. Hanna, Lieutenant
General and Mrs. Miles, several JUS
tees OF the supreme court, with their
wives, and number OF the cabinet cir
Gle Joined the party up stairs. The
Groves on the main floor had been
pushed back to make room for the
grand march, and the band was ready
to break into the opening strains of
the marsh from "Tannhaueser." But
word came that Mrs. Mckinley was in
disposed and that the president would
remain by her side. The march conse-
quently was abandoned. The band
fro, -
the first regret of the assemblage at
missing the grand march, with the
president and the first lady of the land
at its head, gave way before the whirl
of gayety on the ball room floor Vice
President and Mrs. Roosevelt arrived
about the time the president came in.
After paying their respects to the pres
ldent and holding an informal levee
amid the groups of governors, officers,
senator's and distinguished officials the
vice president and his wife proceeded
to the ball room floor
Mrs. McKinley's indisposition was Of
brief duration, and soon she was able
to join the president and the brilliant
assemblage in an empowered box over
looking the gay throngs below, where
they were Joined by Vice President and
Mrs. Roosevelt. The president occu-
pied seat at the right, near the rail,
with Mrs. Mckinley by his side. To
their left sat the vice president and
wife, while near the president was
Governor Odell, of New York, and
grouped further back were Major Gen.
eral Corhn, Admirals Bradford and
Crowninshield, Secretary Root, Justices
Harlan and Gray, Senator Lodge, Gov
'rnor Stone, OF Pennsylvania, and
many ladies' OF the cabinet, army, navy
Dnd official set
In his inaugural address. delivered
under the most dispiriting climatic
conditions, President Mckinley spoke
In substance as follows:
The Presidents Inaugural Address.
My Fellow Citizens: When we assem-
bled here on the 4th Of March, 1897, there
was great anxiety with regard to our
currency and credit. None exists now.
Then our treasury receipts were made
quate to meet the current obligations OF
hcient for all public needs and we have
surplus instead of deficit Then I
felt constrained to convene the congress
In extraordinary session to devise reve-
nues to pay the ordinary expenses of the
government. Now l have the satisfaction
70 announce that the congress just clos
ca has reduced taxation in the sum Of
$4l 600 Then there was deep solicituds
because of the long depression in our
manufacturing. mining. agricultural and
mercantile industries and the consequent
distress of our laboring population. Now
every avenue of production is crowded
with activity, labor is Well employed, and
american products find good markets at
home and abroad.
Our diversified productions, however,
are increasing in such unprecedented
volume as to admonsh US of the neces-
sity of still further charging our for
eign markets by broader commercial re-
iations. For this purpose reciprocal
trade arrangements with other nations
should in liberal spirit be carefully cul-
tivated and promoted.
The national verdict of 1895 has for the
most part been executed. Whatever re-
mains unfulfilled is continuing obliga-
ton resting with undiminished force
upon the executive and the congress. But
manence can only be assured by sound
business methods and strict economy in
national administration and legislation.
We should not permit our great prosper
business or profiigacy in public expendi-
lures. While the congress determines
the officials of the executive departments
are responsible for honest and faithful
disbursement, and it should be their con-
gance.
Four years ago we stood on the brink
OF war without the people knowing it and
preparation for the impending peril.
did all that in honor could be done to
avert war, but without avail 1t be-
came inevitable. and the congress at its
first regular session. without party di-
vision, provided money in anticipation of
the crisis and in preparation to meet It.
1t came. The result was signally favor
able to American arms and in the high
est degree honorable to the government,
II imposed upon US obligations from
which we cannot escape and from which
1t would be dishonorable to seek to es-
cape. We are now at peace with the
world, and it is my fervent prayer that
II differences arise between US and other
powers they may be settled by peaceful
arbitration and that hereafter we NAV be
spared the horrors of war
Entrusted by the people for a second
time with the office of president, I enter
upon its administration approaching the
great responsibilities which attach to this
renewed honor and commission. promis-
their faithful discharge and reverentlv
invoking for my. guidance the direction
and favor of Almighty God. | should
shrink from the duties this day assumed
II l did not feel that in their perform
ance l should have the co-operation Of
ties. So
Strong hearts and helpful hands ara