Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1917-03-05
WILSON'S SECOND INAUGURAL

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the first occasion, March 4, 1918
washington was veritable bee
hive, the city being densely packed
to witness the induction of another
democratic President, man VINO nad
been waited to the White House upon
a tidal wave. Thousands were pres
emit again today to witness his second
inauguration during the great crisls
in our country's history.
The weather on the fourth OF March,
1913, when Mr.. Wilson was lnaugu-
rated the first time, was ideal, SPRING
like. Gypsy Smith in one OF his ser
mans last September spoke from tne
Acts of the Apostles, allegorizing the
description of the storm Paul en-
courtered in mis- memorable voyage
from Caescra to Rome. The south
wind blew softly" at the beginning OF
the voyage, but the terrible eurocly-
don soon followed in its wake. The
south wind was blowing softly" when
Mr.. Wilson placed his hand upon
the Bible four years ago. Yesterday,
however, when the President again
placed his hand upon the book in the
Capitol, the eurociydon was in evil
dence, cloud chasing cloud from the
northeast, with rain and raw tenn
: perature. The United States is now
/ passing through an eurocyldon, but
with the steady nand of Noodro"
Wilson at the wheel the country rests
assured that the ship of state will
weather the storm which seems des-
tined to make shipwrecAs of other
nations bent x upon devastating the
civilized world.
Alexandria and, in fact, the entire
Eighth Congressional district, was
well-represented, hundreds having
passed through this city on trains for
the capital city from early morn.
Inauguration Day is always gala oc-
casion for Alexandrians. Compara-
t;yciv little work is done, as the
great majority Of the community are
generally present to witness the IN
duction into office of a new President.
President Wilson began his first
term under pacific conditions. He
starts or his second at time when
wars and rumors of wars are dis
tracing the civilized world, and while
his own country is passing thro~Sh
one of the greatest crises in its his
tory. While he stood today firm with
every manifestation of nerve and
determination. the vista was threat
eninc, uncertain. He said some time
ago in addressing Congress-"We
know not what day may bring
forth" He is again facing the fu-
ture surrounded by thick cloud of
uncertainty.
William Mckinley while standingSat
thu front of the Capitol OIL the fourth
of March, 1897, knew he had a war
on his hands. Trouble with Spain
was Becoming more serious daily.
? Conditions in Cuba were passing from
bad TO worse, and the climax was
reached when the battleship Maine
was almost in the twinkling of an
eye converted into mass of twisted
iron and junk by an explosion in Ha'
vana Earbor.
After 2 remarkably short war with
Spain. during which victory perched
upon American arms, peace was de-
ciarcd, and Mckinley reelected. The
wife Of his youth on this occasion
sighed and said, THE American
people will have had my husband
eight years. At the eypiratio.! Of
his second term ! desire him to re-
tire from public lie and return to me
for the remainder of his existence,
as I want him" The assassin's bull
let shattered all her fond hopes, and
she was left to fulfil her pilgrimage
alone.
On March 4, 1861, Abraham Lin
coin, with smiles and serious visage
at times; also stood at the cast front,
of the Capitol with his hand upon
the Bible, a book he read so often,
with visible war Oh his hands. After
passing through his first term he
again found himself at the same
place and in the same attitude on
March, 4, 1861 reiterating that he
would mniattain S'thes American union.
HIS Was BY no; means as anxious as
on the first occasion. It was then
definitely known that the days of the