The daily sentinel., 1909-03-04

given the honor of the first greeting.
Then Mr. Roosevelt, the retiring
| chief executive. with whom he had
been associated in official life so long
and to whom Mr.. Taft's nomination
and election were largely due. felici-
tated his successor with heartiness
that left no doubt of his sincerity.
Others crowded about the new execu-
tive and bade him God speed in his
exalted field of labor.
These courtesies occupied ONLY a
few moments of time, and when they
were concluded President Taft began
the delivery of his inaugural address.
his first official utterance as the ma
tion's new chief executive.
While the assemblage was gather
ing the various military and civic
organizations were maneuvering on
the outside of the building for the po-
sitions which had been assigned to
them. Their movements attracted
much attention and furnished more
or less of diversion for the waiting
hordes. The air was filled with mil
itary strains from the numerous
bands as they marched at the head
of their columns, and the familiar
sound of drum and fife as the vari-
GUS bodies swung into place added
to the martial aspect of the occasion
The assemblage on the platform
was most distinguished. Beside Mr.
Taft stood Theodore Roosevelt, the
man who had voluntarily renounced
the honor of ruling another four
years. Near him We're members of
his family. the incoming and the
retiring vice president, the full mem
bership of the supreme court of the
United States. and, few feet away.
adding wonderful bit of color to
the picture, was the entire compile
ment of foreign diplomatic represent
atives in the United States Not the
least interesting in this picturesque
group were the ambassadors from
Brazil. Japan and Turkey, three
countries which have raised their Of
fices at Washington from legations to
embassies since the last Inauguration
previous to that of today.
The brilliant uniforms of the en-
bassy and legation STATS, with the
full dress uniforms of officers of the
military and naval branches of the
government added striking tone to
the historic picture. Supplementing
these was an array of exquisite cos
tunes worn by the women guests on
the platform. Every phase of the
milliner and modiste's art was repre-
women present to attend Mr.. Taft's
induction into office.
Great as was the assemblage. Mr..
Taft was no unfamiliar figure to the
most of those who had gathered to
participate in his Inauguration. For
20 years or more he had been in the
public eye. first as solicitor of the
department of justice, then as Unit
ed States judge, next as governor
general of the Philippine Islands,
lastly as secretary of war and always
~
friends and advisers. So that, in
fact and Independent of the new dis
tinction that has come TO him, his
name had come to be almost n house
hold word in every American home.
Succeeding the administration of
the official oath, the simple ceremo-
ny which transformed Citizen Taft
into President Taft. there was a mo-
ment of calm. Then out on the
March air doomed cannon. the first
of 2 guns in honor of a new presi-
dent. For miles around Washington
the message was sped that a new
chief had taken his place at the head
of the nation. Again the country
was told that new administration
had dawned. In homes far distant
from the splendid scene being enact
ed beneath the dome of the capitol
there were those who could not see
nor near the ceremonies, but to each
of them-shot from the cannon s
mouth-was told the story. and as
I resounded the last of the guns which.
one after another, doomed it's nation
al message to the American people.
the concluding scene in the chapter
dealing with the Inauguration proper
was begun.
The crowd on the stand took seats
and President Taft turned again to
greet the big audience, The instant
he faced the crowd a great cheer
went up. The countenance of the
genial object of the demonstration
was wreathed in smiles and he bowed
his acknowledgements again and
again His efforts to bring about
quiet in order that he might proceed
with his address were met for time
| LOST Several warranty deeds.
Finder notify ii. Mortimer. Pali-
sade.
|