Maryland independent., 1921-03-11

Il, Warren Gamaliel Harding,
do solemnly swear that l will
faithfully execute the office of
President OF the United States,
and will. to the best of my ability,
preserve, protect and defend the
Constitution of the United States"
Washington.--so solcmnly mindful Of
the great responsibilities that will be
his for the next four years. and ex.
pressing a prayer for divine guidance
in the solution CT the momentous
problems facing him. Warren Gamaliel
Harding. of Ohio. became the twenty.
ninth President OF the United States
in an inaugural ceremony in which
simplicity and lack OF ostentation re-
placed usual pomp and display.
Before gee. standing crowd Of
thousands, which completely filled the
broad plaza and eddies for blocks
around the Capitol itself, the new
President accepted the supreme gift
Of the Republic in short inaugural
address-an address in which he did
not attempt to outline other than in
general terms the program of inter.
national and domestic problems to be
followed by his administration.
For my part" he said simply, 81
accept with single mindedness of pur
pose. and humility of spirit. and i'm
plore the favor and guidance of God
in His heaven. With these | am un-
afraid and confidently face the fu
ture."
Brilliant Day.
Inaugural Day--the day on which
Ohio sent the seventh of her sons into
the White House-dawned clear and
cold The temperature was not far
from freezing and there was a stiff
breeze whipping the flags that dec
GRATED Pennsylvania avenue and the
Government buildings.
1t was typical Harding weather"
In It's lack OF rain or other disagree,
able features Not once during the
long campaign at Marion did rain fall
on a front porch delegation. and
friends OF the New President, crowd
ing the Capitol in large numbers. were
gleeful at the continuance OF Harding
luck" They took it as a happy
augury.
1t was a strange Inauguration day
Of Washington. In other years
crowds moved restlessly up and down
the street all night long. and dawn
found many Of them camping sleepily
in points of vantage along historic
Pennsylvania avenue to view the
great cavalcade of dignitaries. Not
a sentinel paced a beat in the city, ex
cept for the policemen who idly swung
their clubs in front Of the Willard,
where the President-elect and Mrs
Harding and the vice-President-elect
Coolidge were quartered
There was something distinctly
businesslike about tine inaugural. Gone
were the pomp anG panoply and dis
play Of other years, with their extrav
agant decorations. crashing bands
marching military and horse
drawn carriages Of state proudly bear
ing silk-hatted and frock-coated digni
taries in great parade. In their stead
came the swift motorcar little music
and an apparent desire to get things
over with in the shortest possible time
and settle down to the momentous la
hors that confront the new Administra
tion.
The lack Of military display was
particularly noticeable. Three troops
of the Third United States Cavalry,
from the nearby post OF Fort MyeI
were the only regulars on inaugural
duty, and their services were utilized
more as an auxiliary police arm than
for display. Around the White House
where Woodrow Wilson was spending
his last few hours of an eventful Ad.
ministration. there was only force
of high school cadets and the usual
police.
Hanging like pail over the jollity
and merry-making of the inaugural
visitors was the death OF Champ
Clark, the great Democratic leader
who almost was President In Con.
gress Hall Hotel. under the shadow
Of his beloved Capitol where he la.
bored so diligently for more than
quarter Of century, and within
stones throw Of where the ceremonies
took place, the great Missourian's
body lay IN state, mourned by
thousands.
The days events began to march
with swift efficiency shortly after 10
o'clock, when half dozen automobiles
drew smartly up before the willard
Hotel They formed the entire parade
Of the Harding inaugural. Only the
first four cars were really in II, the
others being occupied by Secret sery.
ice men and reporters. Here ali the
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