Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-02-26

fairly decent. There was no inaugural
ball, just as there was no wine served
on the White House table during the
Hayes incumbency.
The inauguration Of James A. Gar
field was brilliant affair. with scarce
~ an untoward event. There was
snow in the morning. but 1t melted
eway before noon. Only a single bril-
gade of soldiers accompanied the pres
ident and president elect to the capitol,
but a great parade formed immediate
iy after the ceremony. and the ball in
the evening was one OF the greatest up
to that time There was no omen on
Garfeld's inauguration day to fore
shadow the tragedy that overhung the
new president and the nation.
Cleveland's First Inaugural.
Perhaps the fairest 4th of March
ever known in Washington was that
which saw the first Inauguration of
Grover Cleveland. 1t was ascribed to
Cleveland luck. The outpouring of peo-
pie and general representation from all
the states had never been equaled up
to that time and In its spontaneous
character has never been eXcelled
since. 1t required six hours for the pa
rade to pass given point. There
were more than 5000 persons in the
on the outside After twenty-four
years Democracy was again I'm the sad
die. or thought it was. Likewise was
1t in carriages. on foot, in street cars
hanging out of windows, on roofs, IL
trees or any old way to be present
The imam of destiny" had arrived and
brought the sunshine with him.
The incoming Of Benjamin Harrison
was greeted by a rainstOrm that caus-
ed the colors in the bunting to run and
the spectators TO do likewise. Still, an
immense audience listened to the pres.
ident's inau@ural address, and 12,00C
attended the ball in the evening
There was Il prodigious parade, and
despite the storm the display of fire
works was most brilliant. On the way
to the capitol Senator Hoar. who rode
in the presidential carriage. was com
PEELED to borrow an umbrella. where
at Nh Cleveland remarked: I'VE are
honest folk. We will return It," Was
it prophetic that the American people
| were also honest folk and would re
turn him four years later? But. no
Cleveland was moi a man of double
| meanings.
Either Cleveland luck had deserted
| the IMAM of destiny" ON his second
! inaugural in 1893 or Washington
weather on the 18th Of March was toe
| much even for his star of fortune tC
| overcome. 1t rained more than it haC
ut the Inauguration of Harrison. New
crtheleSs the crowd, the parade and
| the ball were immense affairs, and the
decorations We're the most ambition.
| that had ever been attempted II
Washington. Superstitious people
| might take the storm Of that day "a
ominous of the. clouds that We're tC
gather over Cleveland's second ad
ministration. but those who are &C
| quainted with the perversity of Wash
| ington. climate in March would no
look so far atield for an explanation.
William Mckinley brought with hin
fair skies, likewise crowds, bands
military display and general blaz'
of color and display, marking the ex
pansion of the nations life. Presen
ut this ceremony, as also at that o.
Garfield, was the new presidents aget
| mother. One of the striking feature:
of McKinley's first inaugural was /;
mounted detachment of special aid
composed of sons Of ex-presidents. A
his second induction into Office the to
tai depravity OF the elements got tn,
better of his star of destiny, and hi
had to be inclosed In a glass case t.
| protect him from the storm while re
| viewing the parade. The parader
| were not protected by a glass case, O
course. but they did not count.
| When Theodore Roosevelt was inau
gurated in his own right he was &C
companied by the rough riders"
band of Indian chiefs, led by Geroni
mo; q bunch of cowboys, under th
command Of Seth Bullock; 600 o
Roosevelts Oyster Bay neighbors an'
a body of anthracite coal miners
bearing the motto, I'VE Honor tn
Man Who Settled Our Strike" Nearl
100000 out of town people were Il
Washington. The president is husk,
specimen of American manhood an,
stood the Washington weather al
right, but several others, including
United States senator, an ambassa
dor and Judge. died from the effect