The Irish standard., 1905-03-04

some uniforms added greatly to the
brlliancy Of the scene. Admiral
Farragut and Generals Banks,
Hooker and Hallock were prominent
figures in the gay scene. While there
yet lay before President Lincoln the
troublous task of reconstruction.
the new administration was OPEN
Ing brightly. Nothing was further
from any loyal mans thought that
night than that the Chief Magistrate
would fall victim to assassination
within six weeks.
When the beloved president passed
away the members of the Cabinet
notified Vice President johnson of the
lamented end, and Chief Justice Chase
administered to him the oath Of office
ut the Kirkwood House in the pres-
cnce Of Cabinet officers and several
Senators.
There was already some feeling
against President johnson. His
speech at Lincoln's inauguration was
rambling, some said, rs the result of
copious draughts of brandy taken be-
fore the ceremony to ward Off illness
which he felt approaching. After in
viting Mrs. Lincoln to occupy the
White House as long as she liked
President johnson held audiences
daily at the Treasury building. Here
his remarks to various visitors indi-
Gated radical reconstruction policy.
The feeling between the White
House and the Capitol grew apace.
and events moved so rapidly that the
Johnson impeachment was soon at
hand. AS the Republican party
strongly condemned many of Presi-
dent Johnson's acts, especially his ex-
pressed contempt for Congress, that
body ut lenst was glad when the end
of his term drew near and General
Grant was elected to succeed him.
There had been plenty Of candidates,
but General Grant was manifestly the
choice of the people of the North. The
New York Herald came out for the
"Conqueror of the Rebellion" in these
lines by General IIalpin miles
|O'Keilly):-
So, boys, a final bumper
While we all in chorus chant
For President we nominate
Our own Ulysses Grant s.
And if asked what state he halls from
This our sole reply shall be,
From Appomattox Court House
And its famous apple tree.
For twas there to our Ulysses
That Lee gave up the fight.
Now, boys, to Grant for President,
And God defend the right!
1t was a great Inauguration, Grants
majority Of nearly one million and q
half of votes showing his popularity
and the public confidence in his ability
to solve the difficult problems con-
fronting the government. Naturally,
so soon after the war, there was much
of a military atmosphere in Washing
ton. The military escort for the in
augural procession was composed of
regulars, several companies of negro
troops among them. The crowd which
lined Pennsylvania avenue was dense.
President Grants inaugural address
was characteristic of the man. He
spoke in a conversational tone and
struck without delay or hesitation at
the vital problems of the day. He de-
cllrcd he had a policy to recommend,
but none to enforce against the will of
the people. This was an allusion to
the events of Presidents Johnson's
administration. 1t fell somewhat ac-
ccptably On the ears of Southerners
who had fought their best and laid
down their arms resigned to continue
existence within the Union. AS he de-
livercd his address his little daughter,
Nellie, ran to his side and took his
hand.
The inaugural ball, which was held
that night in the newly completed cash