Evening star., 1901-03-04

streets this morning despite the threatening
aspect of the leaden skies, and by Z o'clock
great throngs were out. The blue and
brass of the militia, the insignia of civil
bodies, the gay uniforms of independent
military organizations, the holiday attire
Of the sightseers mingled to make a pano-
rama that was a composite moving picture
of glad and gay Americansm Morning
trains and boats brought steady additions
until at noon 1t was easy to perceive that
Washington had gathered the largest pop
ulaton in its history. Military and civil
bodies came, too, and the streets were
martial with music, with floating banners,
the gleam of gun barrels, the dashins
hither and thither of mounted officers and
resonant with the blare of trumpets. An
admirable finale of preparations that had
been made with such consummate care and
diligent purpose was approaching, and all,
citizens and strangers alike, seemed to be
inspired with a single desire to make 1t
appropriate to the great occasion.
AS the crowd larger. the parade
was more imposing than that which has
ever marked the inauguration of President
of the United States
Impressive Military Features.
1t was different. too, from all it's predeces-
sors in the majestic predominance of the
military feature. The civil contingent was
fully up to the average of former process
sions, but the men in soldierly uniform out
numbered those in civil attire three to one
In the serried ranks of blue were many who
had carried the country's flag far out into
the world and had waged a war that was
unthought of when President Mckinley was
escorted by his fellow countrymen four
years ago. With these younger veterans
and in the place of honor as the Presidents
escort marched another contingent made
up entirely of solsiers Of the civil war all
gray-haired and showing in gait and bent
forms marks of the passage of years and of
the lingering effect of the great battles and
campaigns of the most stupendous struggle
that the world has seen, and 1t was an easy
prophesy 10 observe that never again would
they De aple TO make as brave and numer- .
Gus a showing in their effort to escort q
PRESIDENT on the occasion of his accession to
office.
AT their head. to quicken their sten
marched the Rough Rider band. suggestive
of the extraordinary organization which
marked one OF the most inspiring chapters
in the history of the volunteer armies of
the United States.
For the first time lin a quarter of a GEN.
tury the President rode from the White
House to the Capitol without a successor
beside him in his carriage. Grant was the
last of the Presidents of the United States
up 10 this time to occupy a similar posi-
ton. President Mckinley had for his COM
panions In his carriage members of the
committee especially chosen by Congress
to take charge of the Inauguration. headed
by Senator Mark Hanna, himself a ma
tional figure
The Navy and the States
The nations of the world, great and small
paid their tribute in attendance at the
ceremonies at the Capitol and In reviewing
the great parade.
Ihe American navy, which has so distin-
guished Itself in the past four years, was
represented in the ceremonies more numer-
ously than ever before. Half dozen war
ships, more than have assembled In the Po-
tomac since the days of the civil war, con-
trlbuted their sailors and marines, one Of
the most unique and enjoyable features of
the ceremony. marching over a thousand
strong along the street. Down on the wa
ter front lay moored the famous old flag
ship Hartford, inspiring stirring recolec-
tions of the fierce naval combats of the
civil war, while at the navy yard foated
the grim double-turreted monitor Puritan,
symbolic Of later-day warfare. Further
down the Potomac lay the vessels unable
to get up the river to Washington, but
whose crews swelled the list Of paraders
The states Of the Union rendered their
homage to the President and demonstrated
that no party feeling dominated today's
great event by the attendance Of sixteen