Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-03-08

Washington. March 5,-WoodruW Will
son. with the major part Of the world
at war and America poised on its verge, |
consecfated his second Inauguration as
President of the United States to-day
with last message Of hope for peace.
Standing In the shadows Of the national
Capitol with his face turned toward the
eastern war-seared skies, the President
renewed his oath Of allegiance to the Con-
stitution. praying to God that he might
be given wisdom and prudence to do his
duty In the true spirit Of the American
people.
While trumpets blared and martial
accoutrements ratified propheticaIly about
him. the President pictured the deep
wrongs the United States patiently had
borne In the conflict of other peoples
without wishing to wrong or injure in re-
turn. Asserting that the tragedies of an
other continent had removed provincial
ism and made Americans citizens of the
world. and that the principles of this
republic should be applied to q liberation
of mankind. he resolutely voiced a deter
mination that America, standing "hrm
in armed neutrality" must demonstrate
her claim to minimum Of right and
freedom Of action in world affairs.
Peculiar interest and Significance. in the
light Of his rebuke last night to senator's
who prevented passage OF the armed nesi-
trality bill, were attached to the Preai-
dents assertion on this point. Even
more interest and concern were aroused
when he added:
OUR PURPOSE UN6ELF1SH.
I'VE may oven be drawn on. by cir
cumstances, not by our own purpose or
desire, to a more active assertion of our
rights az we see them and q more imme-
date association with the great struggle
itself. But nothing will alter our thought
or our purpose. We desire neither con-
quest nor advantage. We wish nothing
that can be had only At the cost Of an
other people. We have always professed
unselfish purpose and We covet the oppor-
tunity to prove that our professions are
sincere
lative record Of the last four years, the
President said that this was no time for
retrospect. The time was one to speak
of thoughts and purposes for the iInme-
date future. 10 be Indifferent to the in
fiuence Of the war upon America, or in
dependent of 1t, he said. was impossible.
and he was arm in the conviction that
the part this country wished to play In
the vital turmoil was the part Of those
who mean to vindicAte and fortify
peace"
These were the dominant thoughts Of
the President as he addressed the cheer
ing multitude In the broad plaza of the
Capitol grounds In the assesnblaSe be.
fore him American citizens OF all nations
had sung America" with a mighty voice
while waiting for his appearance on the
: inaugural stand. And in the procession
which followed him to the White House
and passed in review - composite ant
Cosmopolitan people" gave graphic EVIL
dence Of loyalty and patriotism.
EVIDENCES OF PATRIOTISM.
We are American citizens.'' haret
from banners borne by once alien hands
I've are ready to fight and die for Amer
, ica," was tho stirring message waving
over tho heads Of new American citizens
from Poland. The words "Americ,
First" emblasoned from countless stream
ess. aroused the throngs to continued out
, bursts of patriotic fervor.
I TRIUMPHAL PROCESSION.
r From the time tho President left tn
. White House until his return his cours
was triumphal. Sharing with him tn
c plaudits was Mrs. Wilson. who accom-
. panied him to the Capitol stood by hi
Q side on the inaugural stand. and joine
= and acclaim In the professional tourne
to the White House. II was the first tim
{ in history that the who OF q Presiden
q had participated 20 prominently in In
&. augural ceremonies; and gracing ther
d also was Mrs. Marshall. wife of tho vice
i president. who sat with her husband
the inaugural stand and rode beside hir
h in the parade.
a NONRESIDENT INAUGURATED.
> No less impressive than the inaugur,
u ton OF the President was tho inaugurs
Z ton Of the VICE president and the swea,
}. ting in OF new senators In the senat
70 chamber. IN which the President partic
" patod. When members Of the Senate m
y House had been seated. the diplomats {
70 foreign nations In their glittcring ofilci
regalia were ushered into the chambe
followed by tho chief justice and associa
justices Of the supreme court In the
In sombre robes. oficers OF the army ar
10 navy and members OF the cabinet Tht
10 the sergeant-at-arms of the Sena
es heralded the approach OF the "Preside
"a of the United States"
Va Instantly the crowd in the galleries nj
n the dignitaries on the Senate floor TO
to their feet and applauded as the Pros
dent walked down the aisle to the scat
front of the VSe-presidents dais. II a.
u bitterness had been caused by the Pref
p. dents statement to the public that III
f. tie group of willful men" had made Il
ur country helpless and contemplate" b
e fore the world. 1t was buried in the a
n claim which welcomed his appearance
I'D the presence OF some OF the men he hi
d. rebuked
Is The spectacular fight during the closi'
Oh hours of Congress still was a subject
~ interest and discussion, however. al