The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1909-02-28
BY Associated Press.

| Washington. Feb. 2T-Hlstory
again will repeat itself next Thursday
when William Howard Taft bows his
head over the Holy Bible and takes
the solemn obligation which shall
make him. for a stated period, the
chief magistrate of the United States.
The ceremony of the Introduction OF
president into ONCE is distinctiyely
American Conceived in the minds
and hearts of the nations fathers,
while they yet were in the throes Of
great revolution, il is grand in its
motive-sublime IN IT'S simplicity
Through the lapse of years, since the
establishment of the American gov
eminent substantially no change has
been made in the ceremonial form.
although elaborate and beautiful ac-
compartments. in recent years, have
become notable features Of this most
important of American functions.
In the time OF Taftyaas in the time
of Washington, the spectacle bears
the same simple impressiYeness
Here is no emperor or king or die
tator. arrogatfng 20 himself, Through
the Law of succession or HonarchiaI
expediency." the pewers of govern
-meDts isiit the cree 8 Of a wills4e.
enthusiastic and h0Iogenious people
taking upon himself. through the ex-
pIGSo1Dil VI Ills DGIIOs int GtSpOlioA-
bility 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 protect and defend their nation.
WASHINGTON DEVISED PLAN,
It was Washington who, to a large
extent, devised the plan OF presi-
dents inaugural. In this respect, as
in others. his work has stood the test
OF time 1t Will endure, too, for so
long as the nation may live, in its
original form of beautiful and i'm
pTessive simplicity.
Washington was indicted into Office
at New York. At the time of nOtifi-
cation of his election, 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 Dared barges. !
His journey was 4 tTiumphaI march. |
No such scenes OF enthusiasm ever
had been Witnessed in this country /
as attended his progress The cOun- /
try people gave him hearty greeting /!
by the roadside: IN Philadelphia the 1
citizens had decorated the streets and 4
buildings elaborateiy and he rode Oil 4
a splendid milk white charger be I
meath triumphaI arches. and in towns (
and hamIets farther east his pathway
was strewn with flowers by women
and children
Details of the ceremony attendant I
upon the administration of the oath III !
office were worked out after his ar 4
TiayI in New York. It took place in 4
the old federal building, which then /
was the seat of the congress. and the /
oath was administered by Chancellor
Livingston The first president was
waited upon by committees of the
house and senate at his temporary
abiding place and an escort of regu-
lar United States troops accompanied !
him to the capitol He was driven
in a handsome coach. and as he had /
no predecessor. ne was alone in the
carriage. When the announcement |
was made formally that Washington
had taken the obligation which made I
him the first president Of the United /
the multitude waiting outside \
of the building gave itself up TO an |
demonstration Speeches
were delivered and patriotic songs /
were sung, and that night there was
i display OF fireworks
HIS SECOND INAUGURATION
The second Inauguration of Wash 4
ingtOn took place in Philadelphia /
While the ceremony was more elabo-
rate, Ia its accomplishments. than the I
first mad been. 1t remained. as al /
ways, in It's essential form. simple /
and impressive " aShingJOn was 4
to the capitol in a hand
some coach drawn By six white
horses. His attire was notably eIe-
CANT being OF bla-k velvet. with dia-
mond- studded buckles. silk hose and
cooked hat
as president also in
Apprehension had been
expressed that the Young govern
ment would be unable TO withstand (
the strain OF d change OF Presidents,
DuJ the result WaS superb yindica-
ton OF the wisdom Of the fathers.
Washington passed the reins of gov