McNairy County independent. (Selmer, McNairy County, Tenn.) 1902-1969, 1917-03-09

guished guests made their way to the
inaugural stand.
Inauguration OF the President.
The procession, headed by the presi-
dent-elect, wound through the east SEN
ate door, the main corridors of the
senate and through the rotunda of the
capitol to the place set for the OATH
taking. On reaching the inaugural
stand, Woodrow Wilson took place
directly In front of Edward d. White,
the chief Justice of the United States,
and the chief clerk of the Supreme
court, james D. Maher. The sergeant
alarms of the senate and the congress
sional committee on arrangements were
Immediately ON the left of the pre&-
dent. The vice president, the associ-
ate justices of the Supreme Court and
the members of the senate sat upon his
right.
When all were assembled Chief JUS
tice White, having in his right hand the
open Bible upon which the hands of
many former presidents have rested,
advanced to Woodrow Wilson and adj
ministered to him this oath, which is
imposed by the Constitution Of the
United States:
"You do solemnly swear that you
viii faithfully execute the Office Of
president of the United States and
will to the best of your ability, pre-
serve, protect and defend the Consti-
tuition of the United States"
Woodrow Wilson said In firm
voice, II do" and he became for the
second time president Of the United
States of America.
Then the president delivered his in
augural address and on Its conclusion
he made his way with Mrs. Wilson to
his carriage and was driven slowly to
the White House at the head of the
procession formed in honor of the in-
augural ceremonies.
Luncheon Deferred for Parade.
In years past the presidential party
always mas entered the White House
the parade from the stand In front Of
the executive mansion. This invaria-
lily In the past caused such delay
that it was decided this year to do
away with the luncheon feature.
President Wilson with Mrs. Wilson,
the Vice President and Mrs. Marshall,
and two members of his cabinet went
Immediately to the little inclosed struc-
ture, much like a sentry box, which
had been built in the middle of the
great grandstand in front Of the White
House and from which the chief exc
cutive viewed the paraders.
1t was the gravity of the situation
In connection with our foreign affairs
which gave to the inaugural ceremo-
MES their serious tone and patriotic
features. The parade Of the day was
largely military in its nature, although
there were in the procession many
bodies which in sense might be said
to represent the spirit of industrial
preparedness of the United States for
any eventuality which might come.
Makeup Of the Procession.
At the forefront of the parade as it
left the capitol were, Of course, the
president and the vice president Of the
United States with their guards Of
honor. Major General Hugh L. Scott,
q. 8. army, was the grand marshal of
the occasion. George r. Linkins was
the marshal of the civic organizations
which took part in the marching cere-
monies.
Immediately preceding the carriages
Of the presidential and vice presiden-
tial parties and Of Col. Robert N. Har-
per, inaugural chairman, was the ia
nous United States Marine band. The
president mad as his guard Of honor
the squadron Of the Second United
States cavalry,
The Vice President and Mrs. Mar
shall were escorted y,the Black Horse
troop of the Culver Military academy,
Indiana, the state of which the vice
president and his wife are natives
The West Point cadets and the An
napolis cadets took part in the process
sion. In addition to these young SOL
der and sailor organizations there was
as large a representation Of the forces
Of the United States as properly could
be spared from post and garrison duty.
In addition there were troops from
Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey,
Maryland, Virginia, and some other
states of the Union representing the
National Guard.
A patriotic and picturesque feature
Of the ceremonies attending the inau-'
guration was supplied by the rapidly
thinning ranks Of the Grand Army Of
the Republic. In years past the SOL
diers Of the war between the states
have made the entire length Of the line
Of march, but this year the distance
which they tramped was shortened.
They added to the picture Of the pa
rade as they moved by the presidential
reviewing stand with their old flags
above them.
At night Washington was aglow
with fireworks and with the combined
effects of gas and electric light illumi-
nations. In addition searchlights
showed the heavens here and there,
and one great shaft of light illumi-
mated the apex Of the Washington
monument while another lighted up
and brought into bold relief the dome
Of the capitol.