The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1901-03-09
NO. Is.

: Az 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 q
lunch had been prepared in the com
. mittee room OF the committee on mill.
tary affairs. Here the president was
J joined by the vice president, the in
auguralcommittes, distinguished off.
GERS of the army and navy and q num-
Der of senators and other invited
guests. Half an hour was spent in
taking refreshments, and then the
president was escorted back to his
carriage to join in the parade to the
white house.
| The start was made from the capi-
tol at 2:15 o'clock, and the last civic
organizations had passed the review
ing stand at the white house little
before 6 o'clock.
In point of beauty the military dis
play probably never has been exceed
ed in Washington. The regular con-
tingents of cavalry, infantry and ar
tillery were uniformed as if for the
most exactfng official inspection, and
their discipline was perfect. The
same could be said of the naval con-
tingent. The marines, splendid
body of sea soldiers, and the jackiee,
with their rollicking, free and easy
step, we're especially well received BY
the crowds. The youthfulcadet
of West Point and Annapolis, in the
severe simplicity of their uniforms.
the quick, swapping action and the
machine-like accuracy with which
they performed every evolution, were
a body quite apart and distinctive
from all the Others.
One OF the unique features OF mill
tary display was battalion OF the
Porto Rican regiment recently organ
lied in our island possession and re
cruited from among the native popu-
latiOn. Their welcome was Of the
warmest. The civic division consist
ed of clubs from all sections OF the
country, many of them unique in their
uniforms and regalias. Two distin-
gushing features this year were the
khaki-clad, campaign-liatted Rough
Rider marching clubs, and cadet corps
representing large number ofeduca-
tional institutions in Washington
and elsewhere.
Soon after 2 o'clock the booming
OF cannon and the blare of bugles an
bounced that the president was ready
t0prOceed to the white house and the
time had come for tue marching hosts
to move. Column after column Of the
uniformed ranks swung into position.
The president and his party went
direct from the senate committee
room of military affairs to their car
riages, as did also the vice president.
A line Of admirers lined the passage
way through the senate corridors,
aud both Mr.. Mckinley and Mr..
Roosevelt were kept constantly busy
acknowledging the salutations which
met them at every step. The presi-
dent walked with swinging step,
and nodding to the right
aud left, but never stopping until he
reached his carriage. 1t was 2:2O
when they took their place in the pa
rade, and the procession, which had
out, started fairly for
the white house. The rain ceased
falling AZ the presidential party turn
ed into Pennsylvania avenue at the
peace monument.
President Mckinley, in spite Of the
predictions that he would cut out the
return trip for the parade on account
Of the weather, followed the Ohio
troop in bis open carriage with a
cloud Of steam rising from the glossy
rOats Of the four horses. Behind him
in the next carriage came Vice Presi-
dent Roosevelt. Both the president
and vice president were greeted with
vociferous enthusiasm all along the
line Of the parade.
The inaugural committee met the
president and vice president at the
executive mansion and escorted them
TO the reviewing stand at the entrance
To Executive avenue, between the
White House and the State, War and
Navy building. The stand was in
closed in plate glass as precaution
against stormy weather.
The president and vice president
never failed tc remove their hats az
Zach standard Of colors was brought
TO q salute. A few minutes after &
o'clock the president left the stand,
remarkably buoyant and
cheerful considering the ten hours OF
exposure, for the most part with
barred head.