The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1901-03-09

to meet the lips of incoming Presi
dents. The oath of office was follow
ed promptly by the delivery of tn
inaugural address.
The induction of President McKin
ley was a sudden TRANSFORMATION
from the impressive solemnity of tn,
senate proceedings to the brilliancy
and clamOr of an outdoor spectacle
of mammoth proportions. From
early in the day the whole city had
emptisd it's throngs into this vast
central plaza, until by noon it was q
billowing expanse of humanity, cut
here and there by narrow defiles for
the uniformed marchers.
The dense undulating throng filed
all the winding walks, the broad ave-
nues and radiating streets, thousands
overlooking into the sweep of lawn,
and even seeking tree tops for points
OF vantage. Quite as many women
were in the throng as men, their gay
gowns and bright hats mingling with
the color of hundreds of tiny flags
waved alOft on canes. Over toward
the congressional library the seething
mass was banked tier on tier on the
terraced marble steps. Far over to
the left stretched the military escort,
horse, foot and artillery, and off to
the right State troops, division after
division, awaiting the signal to move.
Above all arose the confused sound
OF n mighty multitude, with tramp
ing OF many feet, the galloping of
horses, the orders of chiefs and mar
shals, the clank of sabers and spurs,
the sound Of IN occasional bugle, and
the hmm of many voices. 1t il esti-
mated that 60, 900 people were pack
ed in this assemblage.
Just before 10 o'clock a drizzling
sleet and hail began to fall and over
the sea of heads went up countless um-
brellas. some of them OF fantastic col
or and patriotic hue. The clouds
changed from gray to black and the
signs looked ominous. But the crowd
held it's ground, uhmindful of the low
aring sky and slanting hail.
1t was just / O'Clock when the off,
rial party came through the main
doorway Of the capitol. Alleges were
strained toward the distinguished
groups as they appeared. Usually
The president comes among the first,
but to-day there was an entire change,
and instead of having the president |
wait until all of the officials were in |
place, the presidential party did noe |
appear until all the invited guests |
mad assembled and everything wasin
readiness to administer the oath.
BY this time the hail had turned in
% a steady drizzle of rain, making |
The officials and the ambassadors |
'hift uneasily under the downpour.
When the special guests had been
lshered to their seats there was n
lull and silence fell upon
he great cOncOurse as it strained to
'atch the first glimpse of the presi-
lent. AS President Mckinley stepped
nut on the portico, in full view OF the
multitude, great cheer went
lp, which was echoed and re-echOed
Until the huge stand fairly trembled
With the volume of sound. The presi-
lent bowed his acknowledgment of
he greeting. With him was Chief
Justice Fuller, prepared to admins
er the oath.
Through the lines OF senators and
'fiicials, all standing to do him honor,
he president proceeded to the central
going forward to the railing
nd facing the vast assemblage at
lose range, again and again bowling
lis acknowledgements to the tremen-
ous cheers from $4,000 threats.
hen he turned and shook hands with
ice President Roosevelt, while anoth-
rgreat cheer went up as the two GEN.
raj figures, Mckinley and Roosevelt,
TODD out above the crowd.
A deep hush fell upon the assem-
'lage as the president and the chief
ustice advanced to the center of the
'avilion. The president removed his
at, and then he raised his right hand.
q the intense stiffness, family could
70 heard the solemn words of the chief
nstice and the measured response of
he president taking the oath to
maintain inviolate the constitution
nd laws of the United States. He
poke in strong voice, easily heard by
hose near the front of the stand.
Lis face looked very grave rs the
ath was pronounced. There was no
demonstration as he concluded the
ath. Now he turned again to the
eOple, and advancing to the rail of
he pavilion, began his inaugural adj
ress. He spoke in rather low tones
t first, gradually growing more dis
met until he was heard by all those
n the stands and most of those in
be front rank of the crowds.
As the president spoke the pent up
louds gave out their full force and