The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1921-02-28
NO P0MP AT
INAUGURATION
Harding's Entry to Presl-
dency Marks Swing To-
ward Simplicity
O R TIME
SINCE JEFFERSON
Not Even the Salvos of Ar
tillery Will Wake the
Echoes

Washington, D. c., Feb. 2~s.-lnaugu'
ration of President-elect Harding WIZ
mark the first swing of ceremonies to-
ward simplicity since Thomas Jefier-
son toiled up Capital hill atoot one
hundred and twenty-one years ago
The ceremony of administering the
oath will as it was prescribed by
George Washington. There will be no
change in its utter simplicity, but Mr..
Harding by his own decision will en-
ter upon his great task without the
pomp and parade that have increasing
ly surrounded that solemn moment as
the wears went by. Not even the sal
vos of artillery" that heralded the
dawn of Jefferson's inauguration day
will wake the sleeping echoes along
the Potomac next Friday.
Gone too, will be the inaugural pa
rade. time honored since regular and
militia troops blazed the historic route
up Pennsylvania avenue to The Pres
ident House, when President Madison
rode in state to take up duties laid
down by Jefferson. Weather alone has
prevented or hindered this national
spectacle in the yeas that followed.
Gone also the decorated floats and
the soldiery from many states which
accompanied President William Henry
Harrison as he rode his horse to the
Capjtol to take the oath; gone the
tramping ranks of cabinet officers and
clergy and professors and students Of
Georgetown university which made the
historic journey with Polk; gone the
military splendor of the pageants that
marked elevation to high office of sol
dierly Zachary Taylor and U. ). Grant
Among things of the more recent
past not to be revived for Mr.. Harding
will be the gray and white clad lines
OF West Point cadets, stepping proud
" and with perfect unison up the
great avenue. Inauguration has been
for these future leaders of the army
and for their brothers of the midship-
men corps from Annapolis, a great
public day, and the nation has lavished
we'll deserved plaudits on their appear
ance.
When Polk rode to his Inauguration,
a "kid glove" troop of young Nirgi-
ions, the Fairfax cavalry, elattered
before him as special escort. 1t was
the first time a military organization
had been specially distinguished in such
fashion. but at times thereafter incom-
ing presidents have paid and received
compliments of the kind which will be
lacking at Mr.. Harding's Inauguration.
President Benjamin Harrison rode at
the head of his old regiment, the 18th
Indiana volunteer infantry, President
Mckinley was escorted by troop A OF
Ceveland's Black Horse cavalry.
Great with problems as may be the
four wears ahead of Mr.. Harding as he
turns with the weight of his oath upon
him to the work he has himself said
will be calling, a grim tenseness that
has hung over the Inauguration Of
some of his predecessors will be lack
ing.
Madison was to see Washington in
enemy hands and "The Presidents
House" fired by British; the drumming
tramp of troops in full war gear, called
TO guard the capital in the brewing
storm Of civil war was in Lincoln's
ears as he pledged his faith. his very
life. to his task. Yet Douglas. his de-
feated rival. stood at his side and held
his hat as Lincoln bent his long figure
to seal his oath with his lips upon the
Bible.
Four years later, again called to high
service, Lincoln saw the wrack and
ruin Of war spreading far TO the south
were groaning in hospitals hard by
where he stood to take his oath and
ahead lay bitter days Of reconstruc-
ton.
President HAYES was twice sworn
in. March 4 was a Sunday that year.
The election decision had left a rank
ling sore behind il. for one electoral
vote had defeated Tilden. On March
3. privately the oath was first admin
istered 10 President HAYES to be re-
peated in public March 5.
When Woodrow Wilson rode down
Pennsylvania avenue and hack again
at his second Inauguration in 1917,
American entry into the World war
was at hand The last remnants II
the court 81 honor before tho White
house erected for Inauguration had not
disappeared before The nation was
aname with war business.
There have been other inaugura-
rations over which eyen a darker cloud
lowered. Andrew Jackson took Office
in 1920 soon after the death Of his
wife which curtailed Inauguration GER
emonies, and Ave times vice presidents
have been called 70 the presidency
through death Of the president. three
times by assassination. In each case
the vice president took MP his duties
without formal ceremonies other than
private administration % his oath Of
Office. Tyler. AZ his home in Washing.
ton, Fillmore 81 the Capitol, johnson