The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-03-08

Washington. March 4.-The city of
Washington today surpassed itself in
the quantity and quality of its street
decorations in honor of the second in
a~uguration of President Mckinley. The
whole route Of parade was a ~gorgeously
patriotic sight; but it was at the court
of honor, constructed on Pennsylvania
avenue between Fifteenth and Seven
teenth streets. from the treasury, past
the executive mansion. to the state,
war and nav building. a magnificent
stretch of $50 foot roadway, that
the scene fairly rivaIed an Italian
carnival display in the era of the
Medici.
Along each side from end to end were
erected a continuous line of covered
and decorated stands with terraces of
seats rising thirty feet above the level
OF the roadway and Transforming the
court into Il great amphitheatrs
through which the procession moved.
The roadway was ianked on each side
with a row of columns between which
the troops were to move. Eight pilUns
four on either side. marked off the
court in equal lengths. These were
copies Of the decorations of the Alex
andrian bridge. at the Paris exposition.
1t consisted of a pedestal ten feet on
the base and bearing a square pillar,
the whole forty feet high, the top of
each SurmOunted by a bronze urn. AT
each angle of the square pillar was m
posed a small Ionic column of the
same height. the whole topped by a zap
ital that carried the ornamental urn.
Between the Dilons on the north side
were interspersed fourteen smaller col
umns of Ionic design. with Tuscan cap
itaIs. y similar row of columns flank
ed the whole of the lunette in front of
the White house.
Frosted electric ulb aided in the IL
Illumination at night. After dark the
bronze urns were filled with Greek fire
whose heavy columns of white smoke
were Illuminated by numerous search
lights.
The adjacent government buildings
were ablaze with the national colors.
except the executive mansion, over
whose white expense floated only the
usual flag at full mast.
The presidents reviewing stand was
on the south side of the court of honor.
1t wa a flag draDed square enclosure.
The parade outside through this court
practically was through a solid line of
red. white and blue. Flags waved or
bunting chung from every building and
house on the avenue from the capitol
to the treasury department
THE OATH OF OFFICE.
President Mckinley was sworn in to
succeed himself as chief magistrate of
the nation on a handsomely decorated
stand at the east front of the CAPT.
tol today. BY noon this vast central
plaza stretching out from the capitol
was a billOwing Xpans of humanity.
Massed half way back were the mount
ed officers of the military escort and
the staff. Off to the left, troop A, the
presidents crack organization, sat mo-
tiOnIeSS on their black chargers. Front
ing the house wing was the silk hated
and besaShed citizens committee. Back
of all these surged the countless multi
tude. Jutting out from the capitol
steps and sweeping across the front
were acres of seats. hundreds deep and
accommodating 5000 guests. The
high porticO of the senate wing was
crowded with the distinguished guests
OF that body. To the left on the house
p~OrticO. Speaker Henderson. family and
friends mingled with house leaders. \
blaze OF color was at every hand.
1t was just after l o'clock when Pres
ident Mckinley stepped out upon the
portico. A great cheer went up that
re-eChoed until the huge stand fairly
trembled. The president bowed in ack-
n~owledgment. With him was Chief JUS
tice Fuller.
Through the lines of senators and Of
fciaIs. all standing to do him honor,
the president proceeded to the central
pavilion, and at the railing faced the
vast aSsemblage. again n agian bow
ing before the tremendous chorus from
the {, 1000 threats. Then he turned and
shook hands with Vice President
Roosevelt while another great cheer
went up as the two central fgures-Mc-
KinIey and RoOsevelt-stoOd out above
the crowd
A deep hush fell upon the assemblage
IA the president and the chief justice
advanced to the center of the pavilion.
The president removed his hat and
raised his right hand. Family Could
% he heard the solemn words OF the chief
Justice. and the measured response OF
the president taking the al 10 main
tain invioIate the constitution and laws
of the United states. There was no de-
mOnstratiOn as he concluded the oath
Now he turned again to the people and
advancing to the rail began his inau-
gural address. Hat off and with occa-
sfonal gestures he spoke in rather low
tones at first, gradually growing more
distinct.
AS the president spoke the pent III
clouds gave out their un force anC
the pe1ting rain came down in sheets
Under his pavilion he was we'll pro-
tected and there was no faltering in the
address. The president said:
THE PRESIDENTS ADDRESS.
Ny Fellow Citizens:
When we assembled here on the 4tt
of March, 1897, there was great anxiety
with regard to u currency and credit
zS- -0- The NV troo S11TN
receipts were inadequate to meet the
current obligations of the government
Now they are sufficient for all public
needs, and we have a surplus instead