Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1913-03-07
MOST REMARKABLE
FETE IN HISTORY
Thousands Join in Giving New
President Memorable Inaugu-
ration-Great Picture.

thousands of joyous Democrats gath
cred in the most remarkable inau.
guration in the nations history,
Woodrow Wilson was inaugurated
president of the United States last
Tuesday, and Thomas r. Marshall was
inaugurated as vice president.
1t was an intensely human, prece-
dent-breaking Inauguration marking
a new political era in the nations his
tory. With members of his chosen
cabinet surrounding him, the justices
of the supreme court before him, his
wife and daughters actually dancing
for joy on the platform below, and
William Howard Taft, ex-president of
the nation. at his side, the new presi-
dent shouted summons to all hon
est, patriotic, forward-looking men,"
to aid him, extending the promise
that he would not fail them in the
guidance of their government
The greatest crowd that ever greet
ed an incoming president and vice
president shouted itself hoarse. Three
hundred thousand Washingtonians
and visitors. estimated at 100000 view
ed the spectacle.
Under the dome of the nations cap
itol. in the presence of q countless,
cheering concourse of his fellow citi-
zens. the new president reised q hand
toward prophetic sun that burst
through dissolving clouds, and pro-
nounced the occasion day Of dedica-
ton, not Of triumph.
There they stood-Taft, standard
bearer of vanquished party after
sixteen years Of power; Bryan. persist
ent plodder Of progressive Democracy.
thrice defeated. accepting a com.
mission from q new chieftain. and Will.
son, the man Of the hour, victorious,
mastering, as he expressed 1t, mot
the forces Of party, but the forces of
humanity"
1t was political picture far beyond
imaginigs of q few years gone by, a
setting that stirred the souls of the
assembled hosts whose cheering at
the scene seemed actually to reverber-
ate from the distant Virginia hills.
The military and civic pageant that
followed this climax Of the historic
day was more than five hours passing
in review. Leaving Capitol hill at 2
o'clock in the afternoon, the last of
the marching thousands had not doffed
their colors to the president In the
court of honor until long after dark.
President Wilson stood for more
than an hour under the glare Of myri-
ads Of brilliant electric lights, as he
greeted thousands in the long line,
among them the host of Princeton
students, who, as they passed before
him, shouted hearty greeting that
he never can forget.
The music of the bands, the glitter
of the uniforms and all the enthusi-
asm in the pageant that had gone be-
fore had stirred him again and again,
but the sight of this cheering student
army was to President Wilson an in
spiration that brought cherished mem
cries and joyous tears. Not long after
the boys from Old Nassau had passed
he turned from the human panorama
and entered the White House to grasp
the wheel of the ship of state.
Ceremonies in the senate chamber
which marked the dying of the sixty
second and the vitalizing Of the new
sixty-third Congress, embracing the
Inauguration Of Vice President Mar
shall and the swearing in of the SEN
ators-elect never were more impress
+, sive. Though delayed somewhat by
the course of legislation, necessitating
turning back, half an hour, the hands
of the clock, the interest was tense.
Promptly at 1885 o'clock, when
Chief Justice White rose to administer
the oath and Woodrow Wilson stood
with right hand appraised to heaven,
the most human touch in the picture
of the day asserted itself. The first
lady of the land could not see weh
from her seat. As spryly as school
girl, Mrs. Wilson moved her chair to
the side of the rostrum and climbed
upon 1t with the assistance Of Lieut..
Rogers. the presidents. naval aide.
Grasping the railing. she stood there
casing at the president Is he kissed
the Bible and she remained standing
until his address was concluded.