Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-29
The People and the Inauguration.

Here and there every four years a voice
is raised in behalf of n presidential In
auguration of democratic simplicity
Now and then speech Is delivered In
Congress to that effect. the orator setting
forth the apparent contradiction OF the
epectacle OF an American President, elect
ed peaceably by the ballots of free
people. escorted into Office by host OF
armed men, There is some talk of ex-
travagance. and occasionally some one
will sigh for the good old times when
Thomas jefferson rode alone TO the Capt.
toll hitched his horse to a picket fence and
went indoors to take the oath of office
something which In point Of fact Thomas
Jefferson never did.
But despite these outcries and these
signs. these denunciations of "militarlsm
and warlike parades, these lamentations
over the decadence of the times. every
four years the American people look TO
the citizens of Washington to provide
ceremonious setting for the Presidents
inauguration. They would not be salts
fled with plain function. Not only the
many thousands who come to the capital
for that occasion as patriotic pilgrims but
the millions of stay-at-homes would pro-
test against the affair as disrespectful
neglect or plain duty.
There is nothing unamercan about the
military pageant on the fourth Of March.
The republic was formed by force OF
arms. 1t was preserved by bitter In
ternal strife A conflict caused Its ex-
pansion beyond the continental confines
Thus In every phase Of its history the
nation has worn the garb of war and
has welded weapons. Yet it Is not a
warlike nation. 1t is pledged to pacific
processes of International adjustment
and 1t regards the military forces which
it maintains as guarantees OF peace
Therefore when. 1t changes Presidents
it is appropriate that representatives
of it's army and its navy and its citizen
soldiery, the reserves of force maintained
to insure stability. should march as the
new executives escort, followed by dele
cations from the people and representa-
tives of the trades and industries which
contribute to the national prosperity.
Washington's citizens do only that which
Is confidently expected Of them when they
undertake the hard work Of preparing
for the inauguration. They know that
many thousands will come here to witness
the proceeding. and that all will ex-
pect dignifed and impressive ceremo-
and many Of them will want an opportu-
nifty to attend a reception at which the
President and his wife will be present
Those who come will be disappointed II
any of the usual features are omitted.
and will be glad to pay their share OF
the cost of providing them.
The Washington citizens who undertake
the arduous task of Inauguration man
ho ftHy hU
the government that they may have the
use of public building for the ball-re-
cepion, without which there can be no
reviewing stands or fireworks or decora-
tons, save such as may be appropriated
for by Congress. This authorization
should be granted Immediately after the
houses convene. AS soon as that Is done
the work will progress systematically
and effectively, and the American people
may be assured that President Taft will
be ushered into Office with due ceremony
and in accordance with the best tradi-
tions of the country.