Evening star., 1917-03-04

-HE entire thirty-eight inaugura-
tions from George Washington
to Mr.. Wilson's, inclusive. have
q been stepping stones over which
the nation has surely and swiftly trod
q lively march of expansion from thir-
teen states, with a population OK less
than four million, to world power OF
expansive territory and more than one
hundred million people.
Among our Presidents there have
been many types. There were the old
school aristocratic Virginia gentlemen.
polished and courtly; soldiers. more
brave than elegant: frontersmen.
lawyers, scholars, and statesmen. All
classes are represented in the remark
able galaxy. Hewers OF wood. mule
drivers, tailors and farmers have shared
our republican throne.
White House entertainments have re-
nected faithfully the sections OF the
country from which each incumbent
has come. Cen Washington set the
pace of the hospitality of the executive
mansion: also of the pomp and cere-
mony of the inaugural services. and
every succeeding four years has seen
the sentiment and principles of the in
coming party fully demonstrated.
In some cases extreme simplicity
was the rule, while at the last six In
augurations there has been continual
increase in attendance, splendor ana
paraphernalia, until the military and
civic pageant which attends the new
President numbers between forty and
fifty thousand men and rivals in mag
nificence the display attendant upon
foreign coronation.
Some few of these events, because or
conditions of the nation at the time, or
because of curious elements which en-
tered into the ceremonial. stand out
more noticeably in history than others
Naturally no Inauguration can ever
come up to the standard or interest Gre
ated by the first one Inc 1ouIney 70
New York. made in company with Davio
Humphreys and John Langdon. was
continuous triumpha1 progress Every
town along the way erected gay arcnes,
its citizens delivered addresses on WEI
come and its officials arranged patriotio
DISPLAYS The trip from Eitzabethport 10
the landing in New York was maoe IN
barge manned by thirteen men In white
uniform. representing the thirteen ,i1aaas s.a.es
carpet covered the steps. The morning
of April 80 the artillery woke the town
with salutes in honor of the day.
x*
whila washington desired neither dis
play nor demonstration. the people were
wild with enthusiasm over his services to
the nation, and were not to be restrained
in their rejoicing. The inaugural cere-
monies were quite simple and impressive
The general. in a carriage drawn by tour
horses, was escorted to Federal Hall.
which stood at a point now marked oy
the Washington statue, by troop OF
regular United States soldiers, the volun-
teers who had been with him through thA
revolution and since disbanded-
He was met by a COMMITTEES OF Con-
Rress who attended him into the Senate.
where the oath Of Office was given by
Chancellor Livingston, the little party
standing on an open balcony in fun view
of the gathered crowd. The general then
made an address. which furnished
the precedent for succeeding inaugural
speeches. and a crier proclaimed through
the streets: Long live George Washing
ton. President of the United States
Imme mediateiy following the services in
Federal Hall Bishop Provost read
prayers in St. Pauls Church. on Broad
way. and the progress to the new ex-
ecutive mansion, on Cherry street, was
made with great enthusiasm
At night bonfres and torchlights IL
Illuminated the streets and there was
q magnificent ball which the new
President attended, dancing the miAuet
with Mrs Van Zandt and the cotillon
with us. Livingston and other New
York bellies.
The second inauguration Of Washing
ton was quite in contrast to the hrst-
This occurred in Philadelphia, while
Congress was still in session in In
dependence Hall, and was the occasion
of much display. Far more elegant
arrangements were made. The Presi-
dent rode to Independence Hall in q
handsome coach drawn by six white
horses Two men with white wands
preceded his coach and kept back the
multitude. Both houses of Congress
rose and remained standing while he
took his seat. After the address the