The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-03-05
ROOSEVELT AND FAIRBANKS
TAKE OATH OF OFFICE IN THE
PRESENCE OF GREAT THRONG

At about / o clock the OUlcldl party
came through the main door Cheers
were sent ny from the enthusiastic null
titude all eyes were directed that way
and strained to get the first glimpse of
the President Shouts of There he is
were heard frequently, but IN ntdrly
every instance the cry was sounded in
false alarm.
The official entrance was dramatic. All
except those who were participating in
the ceremony were seated. When the
justices OF the supreme court, with the
exception of Chief Justice Fuller,
emerged from between the Corinthian
pillars and marched down the sloping
carpeted aisle TO their station. they were
greeted with applause. The justices wore
their robes and skull-caps. Then the
members of the diplomatic corps in their
gorgeous uniforms and they evoked thnn-
derous applause. Led by Count Cassini,
the Russian ambassador and dean of
the corps, and followed by the others in
order of precedence. they took seats on
the right of the stand Stroling in after
them came members of the cabinet, SEN
ators and representatives in Congress.
Scene of Interested Expectancy.
Throughout this scene the demeanor of
the multitude was that of interest and
expectancy. The enticing prospect OF
seeing gorgeous and stately pageants In
review detracted in no manner from the
keen interest in the less brilliant pro-
gramme in immediate prospect. The at
traction responsible for the assembly OF
so vast a throng was demonstrated by
the tremendous burst of applause which
heralded the Presidents approach.
Taking as a signal the arrival of Mrs.
Roosevelt and party of friends, ana
a moment later Vice-Presdent FAIRBANKS
and his escort, the applause subsided 10
await the coming of the man of the hour.
Suddenly the crowd ON the stand began
to cheer This was taken up by those
Immediately in front of the platform
The military presented arms the COM
mittees uncovered, and soon the great
sea of people was waving hats and flags
and shouting itself hoarse.
President Roosevelt came forth from
between the massive pillars quietly and
eomposedly. lie was escorted by Chief
Justice Fuller With measured tread in
harmony with the dignifed step OF the
chief justice the President advanced IN
state down the long aisle of distinguishes
guests BY this time all were standing
and nothing could be heard above the
roar of thunderous welcome. Immediate
y following came, arm in arm, the MEM
bers of the committee on arrangements
As the President passed down the aisle
he barred his head and with character
istic sweep of his hat bowed in ae-
Acknowledgement of the salutations from
the stand and the ovation from the peo-
Pile His manner was not that of a man
mourning onerous responsibilities three
years in the White House having tamil
iarized him with the duties of the nigh
office to which he was to be inaugu-
rated While he waited for the applause
to die out he stood in triumph with no
show of vanity, with no evidence OF po-
ltical enmity, apparently no memories
of the campaign gone by and nothing
more disconcerting than huge gather-
ing of loyal Americans.
Oath Is Administered.
AT a sign from Chief Justice Fuller the
clerk of the supreme court stepped Tor
ward holding a Bible. A hush fell over
the crowd. The President raised his
right hand and the oath to support the
laws and constitution of the United
states was reverently taken amid deep
silence When this had been concluded
there was practically no demonstration
and the President began his inaugural
address. As soon as he finished speaking
he re-entered the capitol and as ne as
appeared within the building signal
was flashed to the navy yard and the
roar of twenty one guns was begun III
official salute to the President.
The President Speaks.
The President said:
my fellow eitlaens No people on earth
have more cause to be thankful than
ours, and this is said reverently, in no
spirit of boastfulness in our own strength,
bnt with gratitude to the giVer OF good
who has blessed us with the condltlohs
which have enabled us to achieve SO large
a measure of well being and of happiness.
To us as people 1t has been granted TO
lay the foundations of or national LIE IN
n a.
the ages, and yet we have had to pay
few of the penalties which In old eonn-
tries are exaeteG by the dead, hand of
bygone civilization. We have not been
obliged to fight for cur existence against
any alien race; and yet our life mas called
for the vigor and effort without which the
manlier asd harder virtues wither away.
Under such conditions 1t would be our
own fault If we failed; and the success
which we have had in the past, the sue
cess which we confidently believe the fn-
ture will bring, should cause In lis no
feeling of vainglory, but rather deep and
abiding realization of all which life has
offered u.s. full acknowledgement OF re-
sponsiblity which is ours; and lxed de-
termination to show that under free
government a mighty people can thrive
best. alike as regards the things of the
body and the things of the soul
Much Will Be Expected.
Much has been given to us, and much
will rightfully be expected from us. We
have duties to others. and duties TO our
selves; and we can shrink neither. We
have become a great nation, forced by
the fact of it's greatness into relations
with the other nations OF the earth; and
we must behave as beseems q people with
such responsibilities. Toward all other ma
lions large and small. our attitude must
be one of cordial and sincere friendship.
We must show not only in our words but
in our deeds that are earnestly de-
sirous of securing their good will by act
ing toward them in a spirit of Just and
generous recognition of all their rights
But justice and generosity In a nation, as
In an Individual. count most when shown
not by the weak but the strong. While
ever careful to refrain from wronging
others we must be no less inslstent that
we are not wronged ourselves. We wish
peace; but we wish the peace OF Justice
the peace of righteousness. We wish 1t
because we think 1t is right and not be-
cause we are afraid. No weak nation
that acts manfuily and Justly should ever
have cause to fear us, and no strong
power should ever be able to single us out
as a subject for insolent aggression.
Relations Are important.
"Our relations with the other powers of
the world are important; but still more
important are our relations among our
selves Such growth in wealth, in popu-
lation and in power as this nation has
seen during the century and n quarter of
It's national life Is inevitably accompanied
by n like growth in the problems which