Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-03-05
Wilson 10th President
Elected for Second Term
--Review Of Inauguration
Ceremonies Since 1889

conducted with difficulty. Polk was
fond of display but his states were not
military. His inaugural procession IS
said to have been rather mixed az
fair of military and civilian bodies as
are the professions of today. Mem
bers of his cabinet and the clergy OF
the capital marched in it.
President Taylor's inauguration was
the first to fall on March 5. He was
military man and the ceremonies were
the most respondent up to that time.
Willard Fillmore, who became presl-
dent through the death of Taylor, sue
ceeded to the office without ceremony
of any kind, although he took the oath
before Congress.
Pierce and Buchanan were 1naugur-
ated with usual ceremonies.
Lincoln's first inauguration was not
able in many respects. The country,
on the verge of Civil war, trembled
with mixed emotions. Lincoln's friends
were filed with apprehension for his
safety For the first time in American
inaugurals troops were ordered to the
Capitol not alone for participation IN
the ceremonies, but for protection OF
the President. Lincoln himself eX-
pressed no fears for his safety but his
friends took every precaution. Prob
ably one single incident more than any
other served to hold feeling in check
When Lincoln delivered his inaugural
address in, the open air at the Capitol
his rival in the greatest campaign up
to that time-Stephen A. Douglas
stood at Lincoln's side and held his
hat. Lincoln's second inauguration re-
flected the great Civil war in which
the country was locked. The lnduc-
ton of Andrew Johnson into office at
ter Lincoln's assassination was con-
Quoted in a room in a hotel without
ostentation of any kind.
Grant came into office with the
greatest spectacular display seen up tc
that time. 1t was almost entirely q
military demonstration as might be
expected from the fact that the country
was doing honor to the General who
had led the victorious armies of the
Federal government. Johnson refused
to ride to the capitol in the same car
riage with Grant. The second in
auguration Of Grant fell on one of the
coolest days ever known in the capt.
tai. Many organizations declined to
marcn IN tne pdTdUc anu Solile PSl oOiiE
who did died Of the exposure.
| President Hayes was surrounded
with elaborate precautions for his per-
sonal safety, because of the intense
feeling engendered by the celebrated
controversy with Tilden His inaug
uration day fell on Sunday. He tool
one oath on the preceding Saturday
and another at public ceremonies the
following Monday.
| Garfield's inauguration was withou
unusual accident except in the Senate
I Chamber, where General Hancock, the
unsuccessful Democratic candidate, wa:
one of the first men to grasp his rivals
| hand.
President Arthur, in succeeding the
martryred Garfield, took the oath o.
office twice, first at his home in New
York when he heard of the President:
death, and again at the Capitol in the
vice presidents room. There was ne
public ceremony.
/ Grover Cleveland's first Inauguration
reflected the steady growth of interes
among the American people in seeing
their President take office and the
|
| its predecessors. The weather was
perfect, the crowd was immense ant
the ceremonies were elaborate.
Harrison was not so fortunate will
the weather for his inaugural cere
monies. A driving rain fell all day
He delivered his address sheltered by
an umbrella held by one of his civi
war comrades. The weather, how
ever, did not deter his escort from
marching in the inaugural procession
1t was the Nth Indiana volunteer in
fantry which Harrison had commanded
in the civil war.
When Cleveland returned for sec
ond term he too- pcountered ba(
weather, and the agVation for moving
inauguration day forward into the
safer weeks of late spring received al
impetus which, however, soon dice
away. Slush, inches deep, covered the