Metropolis weekly gazette. (Metropolis, Ill.) 1???-19??, 1917-03-02
Strange Incidents of Past Inaugurations
Episodes Tragic and Unusual
That Have Occurred on the
Swearing In of the Presidents
of the United States.

of the United States.
a. ANY of the inaugurals OF the
w chief magistrate of the ma
W. ton in the past have had ele-
ments of discord, and even
disappointment and tragedies came to
mark these national functions. With
out this element of human life mueh
of our careers would be lacking in IN
terest and activity.
The only disappointing feature OF the
Washington inaugural was the faet
that while the constitution speclned
that the new government should De-
gin operations on March 4. 1879. ii was
not until nearly two months later thae
n sufficient membership TO form
quorum was present. Washington was
tardy. John Adams, the vice president,
had arrived and was sworn in ana pre-
sided over the senate ',efore Washlng-
ton came upon the scene. rms great
DELAY and the apparent indifference OF
representatives and SENATOR'S TO be on
time caused the public much grief
while the Tories enjoyed the disorder
and complete lack of dignity Aside
from this delay. brought on by in
clement weather and miserable roads,
the initial inaugural was free from
rlishap or -unpleasantness. Washing
ton rode in a carriage drawn by SIX
white horses
Adams and Jefferson.
When John Adams was inaugurated
on March 4. 1877, a peculiar feature
marked the occasion. \ Republican
president and a Democratic vice presi-
dent were sworn in as the supreme
officials. While Adams represented
the arlstocratic ideals of government,
coupled with n strong central power,
jefferson. of democratic turn OF mlnd.
stood for as little surrender OF state
rights as was consistent with con-
stitution. The fiercely fought cam
paicn brought these two party Ideals
WILDLY before the voters, and the In
augural ceremony was spirited De-
cause of victory for both policies.
The Democrats were out in full re-
galia TO welcome jefferson. while Fed
eraists stormed the city of Philadel-
phia with their hosts of New England
ers. While there was not a bitterness,
vet there were sharp rivalry and a
feyprish multitude imbued with afifag-
onistie principles, and the tayerns were
alive with heated discussions ana
wrangling politicians.
Jefferson's inaugural was marked by
This political strife which had its birth
four years prior. While it can hardly
no nroyed that Adams and Jefferson
had grown 10 be enemies, yet the facts
90 TO show that the bonds OF early
friendship were held by thin ana
strengthless fibers. for the great John
Adams resolved he would not be pres
ent at the inaugural Of the scholarly
yirginian. When March approached,
ere the sun brought daylight TO the
village of Washington, coach bearing
John Adams went rumbling out of the
capital burg on its way to dear New
England.
jefferson on Horseback a Myth.
Nor was this all of the disappoint-
ments of that day. The chief justice
who was to administer the oath 10
jefferson was John Marshall, also or
Virginia, and who did not stand in the
list Of Jefferson's friends. 1t was bit
ter to take the oath from such source,
and the entire audience we'll under
stood the situation. In fact, Jefferson
hoped to be able to have that feature
of the ceremony of induction perform
ed In private, but he was oyerruied
and took the situation gracefully,
though painfully. The oft told and
published tale that Jefferson rode on
his horse, tied 1t to a post and, enter
ing the senate chamber unaccompa-
MED in most simple style, is myth,
and government records, personal dia-
ries and descriptive letters pronounce
untrue. He had ordered carriage
and four cream colored horses, but
they did not arrive Government rec
Drds show "Jefferson's escort consisted
of a company of militia, artillery and
delegation of citizens at his second
inaugural. A ball was given, but JEFF
ferson did not attend. The second
inaugural of Jefferson was nneventful,
and the unfriendliness for Adams had
passed away. The two giants who la
bored on the Declaration Of indie
pendence had again become warm
friends, and in 1926 both died ON the
anniversary of its adoption.
SANDER Killed Jackson's Wife.
To.
son carried with IL a feeling Of revenge
and bitterness such as has characteriz-
ed but few of our presidential induc-
lions. In fact, he proclaimed that his
wife's death was the result OF the
batefulness of a campaign Of SANDER.
After Jackson served for two terms
ne planned to have his former secre-
- 10 nd vfaa l.