The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-03-05
THEN AND NOW.

Yesterday, with military splendor,
Mr.. Roosevelt was inaugurated as Pres
ident of the United States. The event
was in keeping with the imperialistic
policy that has dominated this coun-
try since the Spanish war.
The contrast between that inaugural
and the inaugurals of Jefferson one
hundred years ago presents a strik-
ing contrast that is in favor of the
Mr.. Jefferson century ago. The his
tory of the simplicity of Jefferson's
inaugural is thus given by Prof. Ell
lis:
Nothing was more distasteful to
Jefferson than pomp and ceremony,
and, consequently, little of it marked
his induction into office. About ten
O'Clock, the Washington Artillery and
company of Alexandria riflemen pa
raded in front of his lodgings. The
artillery fired a salute, the riemen
presented arms and Jefferson bowling
his acknowledgements. started to the
capitol, accompanied by few friends,
He was dressed in plain clothing, and
it is said that he rode to the Capitol
and tied his own horse, but there is no
record of any such incident in the
newspapers of the time. The story
propably arose from the fact that he
left the Capitol on horseback, on the
day his successor was inaugurated, and
rode down Pennsylvania Avenue
There was another artillery salute
when the President-elect entered the
Capitol.
Jefferson was the founder of the
Democratic party of today. Although
a rich man, he favored simplicity and
economy. He discontinued the social
receptions, because he thought them
limitations of royalty He would not
tell his birthday, through fear that it
would be celebrated. He discarded the
fashionable silver buckles on his shoes,
and used common leather strings. He
preferred that every kind of title
should be omitted when he was adj
dressed -. President Jefferson re-
solved to administer every department
of the government with the strictest
economy. $50.
"Jefferson's second Inauguration was
a quiet event. He took the oath in the
Senate chamber and delivered his in
augural address to the distinguished
audience there assembled. A process
sion was formed at the navy yard,
consisting of the mechanics employed
there, and, with the insignia of the
ship-building art, they escorted Jeffer-
son to the White House. Jefferson de-
clined to have soldiers about him, and
the local troops who took part did so
in subordinate capacity
With reference to Jefferson's sim
plicity, Appletons Cycolopeadia says:
'"The reaction against the stately
dignity and ceremony of Washingtons
era was headed by the new President
(Jefferson), who would have no for
NAL address from Congress, and sent
in his message by a common messen-
ger. Everywhere the new philosophy
of life was received with acclama-
lions which swelled still higher the
flood of Jefferson's popularity. go.
I'm social life he faithfully carried
out his democratic principles. He
discarded every advantage which his
birthright gave him, and mingled
Familiarity with the common people, as
their equal .. His dislike of all the
trappings of authority was excessive
Washington had held levees and
awaited the two houses, standing in
full dress to receive them. Jefferson
abolished the practice. To all
titles OF honor he was strongly OPP
posed. :. These apparent trifles
were in reality strong indications of
the character of the man, and con-
tributed powerfully to his popularity
He was regarded as the epitome
and incarnation of democracy, as OPP
posed to the old world of aristocracy."
Is not the spirit and policy of JEFF
ferson the true plan for a republic?