The age-herald., 1901-03-05
IMPRESSIONS OF THE
 GREAT INCUBATION
BY ALsER T HALsTEAp.

rather than by action. It would seem as if man of his energy would chafe un- der the restraint and feel i'll at ease This promises to bo a trying position for Col onel Roosevelt to fill, but in the past he has surprised even his best friends by the display of talents with which he was not credited This he did in the Gov ernorship of New York, as well as in command of the Rough Riders, as assist ant secretary of the navy and in other public positions. The future offers much to Roosevelt, but his new office will test his patience, his tact and his abilities to their utmost
 The great platform at the east front of the platform where the President took the oath of office was thronged with some forty-five thousand people, every one of whom was there either as distinguished guest or as the guest of some Senator or member of the House, tickets for this platform having been apportioned among Senators and Representatives. On this platform every one who had been fortu- nate enough to get into the Senate gallery was privileged to have a seat. In front of this great platform thousands stood. while back of them were companies and regiments of troops waiting to join the inaugural procession as it moved from the capitol to go up Pennsylvania Avenue. watched by cheering throngs to the court of honor in front of the White House.
 The Senate committee in charge of the inaugural ceremonies took the unusual precaution of having the part of the plat form where the President took the oath of office and the more distinguished guests sat, inclosed in glass as a protec- ton against indictment weather.
 The procession from the Senate to the inaugural platform was composed of the distinguished men who had witnessed the Senate proceedings. On the right of the President, Chief Justice Fuller of the Supreme Court, and on his right the ser- geant at arms of the Senate Colonel Ramsdell. On the right were the associ- ate justices, members of the Senate and ex-Senators, while on the right next to and behind the Senate sat the members of Congress and the members-elect. To the left sat the diplomatic corps, the Gov ernors and those admitted to the floor of the Senate.
 It is always an impressive sight when the oath of office Is administered to a President. and it had been my fortune to see that impressive ceremony on four oc- casions-hrst as boy when the ill-fated James A. Garfield was sforn in, next when Benjamin Harrison became Presi- dent and for the third time when Grover Cleveland began his second term and for the fourth time when William Mckinley first took the oath. Today, when MT. Me- Kinley again swore to perform his du" ties faithfully, made the fifth time. As the impressive and significant words of the oath were read by the Chief Justice and repeated by the President, it was interesting to recall the day four years before when the same man took the same oath. Then he was regarded as the man who loved peace better than anything else. That is true today, notwithstand- ing the events of the past four years. In 1897 war cloud lowered over the nation, but 1t was not formidable. The people were deeply stirred by the Spanish bar barities in Cuba, but they did not for5 see, neither did the President, that tho war for the saving of Cuba was to result in the acquisition of territory beyond the seas and in the sending of thousands of men there to support the flag. The chief thought of the President and of the na- ton then was for the restoration of pros- perity. And 1t can be said without par tisanship that prosperity has been re- stored and every promise of better times hna,, Tl,,f tha,a that the man who was taking the office would so soon be assailed with charges that he was carrying out a policy of imperialism and acting contrary to the spirit of the past, just as no one foresaw the great growth of the influence of the United States abroad nor the capture of foreign markets by American manufac- turers.
 "But in the four years that have passed since MT. McKinley's first inaugu- ration, the nation has expanded, it has acquired islands In the Far East, and it has driven Spain from Cuba and Porto Rico. The one is about to enjoy the ben efits of civic liberty under American pro- tection, or suzerainty if you wish, while the other is already securing the advan- tages of government under the American flag, even if I'll the rights of American citizens have not been granted. Hawaii is also part of the United States and the prospects are bright for the devel- opment of the Philippines along Amer jean lines, for the education and uplft- ing of the Filipinos That the policies of the administration, new though they are, have the support of the American people, was demonstrated by the ceremonies to- day. What the future has in store no one knows, but the promise seems bright and even those who disagree with the President have confidence in his good Judgement, his integrity, his sincerity
 The Presidents inaugural address was interesting, splendidly written, and 1t gave assurance that the second term would be even better than the one that preceded 1t.
 It is doubtful if any inaugural parade ever equalled that today, with the thou sands of marching troops and of march, ing political bodies. To the average visit or to Washington the parade Is the chief object, and its briliancy and beauty cer- tatnly repaid the hours of waiting The second administration of William Mo- Kinley is well begun.
 A SONG FOR MARck.-
 Frank Harrington in Frank Leslie's Popu-