The Washington herald., 1909-03-05


and Vice President Sherman. and the
whole building was tastefully draped
with flags and festooned with electric
lights
Brilliant Block
Perhaps the most brilliant block Of the
entire Avenue was that between Ninth
and Tenth streets, where are gathered a
Of small theaters and moving
picture shows, each Of which was a blaze
Of light
The big store Of Parker. Bridget
* Co was also notable feature in the
Avenue scheme Of decoration, and the
store Of 5. Kanu, Sons * Co. was a blaze
Of brilliant illumination and wonderful
electric signs.
The Ssks * Co. building was simply,
but most effectively. decorated, and the
building Of the United States Realty Com
pany, fronting on a triangle. took fun
advantage Of that fact TO decorate on all
sides.
The Center Market WAS one noticeable
because Of the fact that il, more
than any other, tried to adhere strictly
TO the decorative scheme suggested by
the Inaugural committee. Its decOrati atiOus
were entirely i'm the inaugural colors,
green and white. and they afforded a
marked contrast 20 the red. white, and
blue elsewhere
Tie old hotels farther down the Ave
nue.. the Metropolitan and the National
were both decorated in most diguifed
way. each window OF these hotels carry
ing an American flag. flying. not draped
rrar rHr- az.
tion of the fact that. after all the Au7eri-
can flag looks better ayiaE than 10 does
ia any fantlstical design. & notable deco
ration farther down the Avenue was that
or the building occupied by the Norris
mast had been erected. and its balyards
were covered with multi-colored peunants
that fluttcreI 1ayly ia the breeze
Owners Took Pride.
But while thus some Of the buildings
along the line o. procession have been
singled out because Of their special fea-
lures. Fl must be said that practically
every building along the route showed
that It's owners had taken fine pride IN
the glory and meaning Cf the day. and
that the generally fne and beautiful ef-
fe-t was due % the combined efforts Of
everybody. l. was this community oG
spirit and high feeling Of patriotism on
the part o. WasnugtoH-s business man
that made the fue decorations for this
Inauguration better than any that pre-
ceded it.
Whatever criticisms might be leveled
against the ceremonies OF Inauguration
day. there can hr none justly Ia decry
the wonderful management and executive
ability displayed iu organizing the pro
ccSsioB- in caring for tie crowds and I'm
taking care that this, the most diEnlfed
and most purely national o. an gather
incs that takes place anywhere in the
nation. should pass Of without a hitch
Inauguration day IS pTc-emiu1ntlE
the dav ~ the American people
Finely IL differentiates itself from any
other approximately similar ceremony
that might take place IN any other ma
ton. for corODations and rational cere-
monies elsewhere are governmental mat
tiers. ordered by the government and the
people are simply allowed go look on al
tte paSeant.
Day of the People.
Eur here in Washington Inauguration
day is the day OF the American people
Il Is Uot the governments officer who
assumes the duties and emolumeuts Of
his office L IS the peoples servant who
amid che peoples secIaims and the peo-
pies reoiciuEs. takes the oath before God
TO serve The American people faithfully
the people and the nation
Eaca -u0t Of the route Of the process
sion from the historic White House 20
the most magnificent Capitol in the world
and back again, furnished TO the wait
ing thron- a striking lesson in American
history that made thousands of hearts
glow with pride of country and patriotic
fervor- The decorations were brilliant.
the parade was such as not 20 be dupli-
Gated iU the capital civ OF any other
nation on Gods green edr-h- but it was
not the nIare nj hands the waving of
banners. the CLINT OF the sun upon the
shouldered rifles COZ the jauutv step OF
-Ee American sailrr>. or the martial
tread Of the horses. that made Up the
significance of this unique procession
For he must be- "a dun American. indeed,
1ho could not see that hack of al this
show and excitement and enthusiasm.
ieep-seated iu the minds of the people.
Was the fact That all Of this vas but
another WeiI-ordered step IN the onward
march of the progress ot the whole
American people. Who
Moving 1p srm ri-. -r fizlcr.
Become 0a Fa-turs'- r~.sr-n- -Hre
The pillar 0E q peoples EssC-
TIE C5l--T st worlds desire
Nor coald the great tlrou- of men.
women and children that lined the streets
and occupied the stands and paered from
tie countless windows along the route OF
he parade be altogether obliyious Of the
fact that this wonderful procession ON
rs way from the Capitol % the White
House passed by many statues of those
shc had gone before-the men who have
uaGe this dJy. with au its national sig
'idcance. possible
statue Not Missed.
OF course. the statue Of Washington.
which. had it stood in its ordinary. place.
would have directly faced the grand stand
where President Taft took his oath Of
,fice, at the east pOrtico OF -he Capitol.
lad been removed. But surely this was
rot needed at such a time in the city
named by the Father of Ills Countrv.~
vho founded il, and with that taU and
tately shaft rising sublime 20 the haav-
ms for all 10 see
The people who watched tine process
sion. made Up of distinguished cities from
very State in the wide Union. must have
hoUEht how its long length had wound
}y the statue of Benjamin Franklin. ~
renth street and the Avenue. the patriot.
and philanthropist. holding
lis hand ND toward the passing throug
Is if in silent admonitiou % remember
he DAYS gone blythe days that have
made this day possible
Earlier than this. on its return 90 the
White Houss. the procession had passed
hat dne statue o. Carried at the Mary
and averue entrance TO the Capitol
grounds. one Of our three martyred Presi-
tents, who himself on such another dav
as this had gone triumphautIv amid the