The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1913-03-02

The ceremonies attending the in
auguration of the present day form a
striking contrast to those in the. early
days of of the republic and even those
preceding the civil war. In former
times the simplicity of the display was
In Keeping with our democratic insti-
tutions, but now every succeeding in
auguration tries in some way to ex-
coed the preceding one until the in
stallation of a new president to his
high office and great responsibilities
Is almost lost sight of in the elaborate
and Outlines gorgeous show of mill
'tary, political and social clubs. 1t is
now an affair of pomp and p%ageantry
rather tina a mere change in the per-
sonality of the chief executive. This
departure from the custom and prac-
tice Of bygone days is not in accord
with the views of many of our citi-
Gems, n the desire of President-elect
Wilson to return to the plain cere-
monies of former times finds a respon-
sive chord in the breasts of those Who
long for a return to the methods in
keeping with the spirit of the common
people of our country.
Those who have attended the in
augurations for the past is years will
attest to the fact that the greater par,
of the parade was a tiresome display
of military and Of marching political
clubs. Apart from the tiresomenes
of the spectacle each Inauguration has
taken it's toll of lives both from spec
tators and marchers, especially from
the ranks of the national guard and
political clubs who were unused to
standing for hours in snow and slush
as they were compelled to do four
years ago. A number of men con-
7tracted pneumonia and died as a re-
suit Of their part in the. Inauguration,
and this has in a measure brought
about the decision to shorten the
parade.
The taking of the oath of office by
a man who has been chosen by the
vote of the people to direct the des-
TIMES of a country SO great as our
own is a solemn occasion, for in nc
other land are the duties of the chief
executive so arduous. The United
States is rapidly becoming the melting
pot of European nations for the immi-
grafton to our shores is rapidly In
creasing II with it comes new prob
lens, and no man realizes this more
fully than President-elect Wilson. In
these days of strikes and labor agita-
ton when anarchy seizes upon every
display of wealth or lavish expenditure
of money as an excuse for inflamma-
tory speeches to excite the passions
of the weaker minds these displays Dc
more harm than good. From the tim
of the Inauguration of George Wash
ington on April Goth, 1889, up to the
present day the desire Of the incoming
president as to the ceremonies has
been followed more or less, and from
the records Of the inaugurations j
seems clear hat no two have beer
alike in their tastes. Naturally, tn,
first ladies of the. land ave been con-
suited by their husbands and their
wishes in the matter have been re.
spected.
In the early days travelling was a
difficult proposition, and the crowds
were not large. The Inauguration of
the first president of the new born
republic was spectacular in the ex-
treme owing to the fac that the capt.
tai of h country vas at that time
located In New York, and the entrance
of the president was made from the
river Travelling was slow and Wash
ington arrived on April 20, which
resulted in h festivities covering a
period of two days. His entrance to
New York was made on a barge which
was decorated with flags and flowers
and manned by 13 masters of
vessels representing the 10 states.
AS the vessel neared Bedloes island a
large sloop sailed close to the barge
and moved with It toward the shore.
Twenty ladies and gentlemen who