The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1909-02-28
INAUGURATION
Of THE Chief
, EXECUTIVES
Simple Ceremony When the
Father of His Country j..
Took the Chair.
CROWDS HAVE GROWN
IN THESE LATER DAYS
INDUCTION OF ROOSEVELT INTO
OFFICE THE MOST SPECTACLE
LAR IN NATIONS HISTORY.

Washington. Feb. 27.-History again
will repeat itself next Thursday when
William Howard Taft bows his head
over the holy Bible and takes the SOL
emn obligation which shall make him,
for a stated period, the chief magistrate
of the United States.
The ceremony of the induction of a
president into Office is distinctiveIy
Amexiean. Conceived in the minds ana
hearts of the nations fathers, while
they yet were in the throes of a great
revolution, it is grand in its motive
sublime in its simplicity. Through the
lapse OF years, since the establishment
of the American government, substan-
TALLY no change has been mdae in the
ceremonial form, although elaborate
and beautiful accomplishments, In re-
cent years, have become notable fea-
lures of this most important OF Amer
lean functions.
In the time of Taft, as in the time
of Washington, the spectacle bears the
same impressiveness. Here is no en-
peror, or king, or dictator, arrogating
to himself, through the law of success
sion or monarchial expediency," the
powers of government; but the creature
of a willing, enthusiastic and homo
geneous people taking upon himself,
through the expression of his peers,
the responsibility of carrying out their
mandates and directing the execution
of their will. Yesterday he was one of
a hundred million people; today, yet
one Of the people, but chosen for a brief
time to direct their destinies and to pro-
tect and defend their nation.
1t was Washington who, to a large
extent, devised the plan of a presiden-
tiai inaugural. In this respect, as in
others, his work has stood the test of
time. 1t VIII endure, too. for 50 long
form of beautiful and impressive sim
plicity.
Inaugural in New York.
Washington was indicted into office
at New York. At the time of notifi-
cation of his selection, he was residing
at his beautiful country home, Mount
Vernon He proceeded to the then seat
of government on horseback, in coaches
and in eight-oared barges. His jour
ney was a triumphal march. No such
scenes of enthusiasm ever had been
witnessed in this country as attended
his progress. The country people gave
him hearty greeting by the roadside;
in Philadelphia the citizens had deco
rated the streets and buildings elab-
oH,ately, and he rode on a splendid milk
White charger beneath triumphal
arches; and in towns and hamlets far
Their east his pathwa. was strewn
with flowers by women and children.
Details of the ceremony attendant
upon the administration or the oath of
office were worked out after his arrived
in New York. 1t took place in the old
federal building, which then was the
seat of congress, and the oath was ad-
ministered by Chancellor Livingston.
The first president was waited upon by
committees Of tie house and senate at
his temporary abiding place. and an
escort of regular United States troops
accompanied him to the capitol" He
was driven in a handsome coach, and,
as he had no predecessor, he was alone
in the carriage. When the announce
ment was made formally that WASH
ington had taken the obligation which
made him the first president OF the
United States, the multitude waiting
outside of the building gave Itself I'D
to an enthusiastic demonstration.
Speeches were delivered and patriotic
songs We're sung, ana that night there
was a display of fireworks.
One in Philadelphia.
The second Inauguration of Washing
ton took place in Philadelphia While
the ceremony was more elaborate, IN
its accomplishments, than the first had
been, it remained, as always, in It's
essential form, simple and impressive.
Washington was conveyed to the cap
itoI in a handsome coach drawn by six
white horses. His attire was notably
elegant. being of black velvet, with Ola
mond-studded buckles, silk hose and
cooked hat.
Four years later, John Adams was In
augurated as president, also in Phna-
delphia. Apprehension had been ex-
pressed that the young government
would be unable to Withstand the
strain of a change of presidents; but
the result was a superb vindication of
the wisdom of the fathers. Washing
ton passed the reins of government TO
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