The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1905-03-11
Roosevelt's Inauguration.


Theodore Roosevelt, who served as Presi-
dent about three and half years, as successor
to President Mckinley, who died at the hands
of an assassin, was inaugurated President last
Saturday in his own right, by election by the
people last November. His election was
overwhelming on the popular and electoral
vote. The inaugural ceremonies were simple
and the Presidents address was brief. The
inaugural parade was the most gorgeous ever
witnessed in Washington, as well as the larg'
est. There were Federal soldiers, military
and naval cadets, college cadets, State troops
from many States, governors and their stains,
all gorgeous in gold lace, waving plumes ana
brilliant uniforms. No such pageant has ever
been witnessed in this country, and the en-
thusiasm of the crowds lining the sidewalks
was beyond all bounds.
The Rough Riders, the Cow Boys, the In
dian Chiefs from the plains, the Indians from
the Carlisle School, all attracted much atten'
tion, and hundred bands enlivened the pa
rade. Scarcely any of the Northern bands
PLAYED s'Marching Through Georgia, and
other airs so popular in the North, but DIX
ie.'' Maryland, My Maryland and other
airs we're played by bands from all sections.
While President Roosevelt was the leading
figure in his ride TO the Capital and upon the
reviewing stand, Gov War6eld, of Maryland,
closely divided the honors with the President
He was cheered all along the line OF march,
and he was generally accorded the honor OF
being the most handsome and striking figure
in the procession. Since the demonstration
in his honor during the inaugural he has been
frequently mentioaed for the Presidency.
The Presidents inaugural address is the
shortest known. Like all the Presidents
utterances war and the strenuous life are the
chief subjects. though there is little in the sd
dress TO criticise In speaking of the prob
lens we must face and deal with fairly and
Justly, the President says
.sYet after all, though the problems are
new, though the tasks set before rs differ from
the tasks set before our fathers who founded
and preserved this Republic, the spirit IN
which these tasks must be undertaken and
these problems faced, if our duty is to be well
done, remains essentially unchanged.
To do so we must show, not merely ia great
crises, but in the everyday affairs OF HE, the
qualities of practical intelligence, of courage,
Of hardihood and endurance. and above all OF
the power of devotion TO a lofty ideal, which
made great the men who founded this Repnb-
lie IN the days OF Washington.
The President did not always have the high
ideas Of the founders Of the Repablic and who
developed it, as expressed IN the above ex-
tract. In his Life Of Benton and other books
he showed contempt for the abilities Of nearly
all, except Washington. Jefferson, who wrote
the Declaration Of independence, which start.
ed the revolution, was Secretary of State du-
ring Washington's FIRST term as President. Oi
Jefferson Roosevelt said he was ''Iimid and
shiffy doetrainaire." aud that be was "the
most incapable executive who ever hlled the
Presidents Chair. OF Madison, who wrote
the Constitution, Roosevelt. said he was in
capable" and the results of his administers.
ca" OF Monroe, who promulgated what is
called the Monroe Doctrine, and which the
President is so desirious Of upholding, and
makes il part of his plea for more war ships,
Roosevelt said he had mo special ability
and as Secretary of War under Madison was
"a triumph Of imbecility to the last. He
said jackson was Ignorant, and be wrote
disparagingly of Van Buren,, Harrison, Taylor,
Fillmore, Polk, Pierce and Buchanan. With
such sorry lot Of weak, ignorant and ''small
Presidents, as Roosevelt esteemed them, i
is wonder that the Republic did not crumhle
to pieces. Still the country fought three sue
eessful wars, besides Indian wars, and by
peaceable expansion, not by ''forcible annex
fion,'i more than trebled the territory OF the
Republic.
Washington. jefferson, Madison, Monroe
and jackson will be revered as consistent,
able and patriotic Presidents. long after Roose-
welt is forgotten, or remembered oaly for bis
eommereialism, miliisrism and foreible expAn-
sion policy, none of which ideas were held BY
the founders of the Republic and the earlier
Presidents.