Evening star., 1925-03-01

Jamhoree which accompanied Andrew
jackson into the White House al
most century ago.
Jackson ran for the presidency
twice before he was elected, so by
the time his inauguration day
dawned babies who had been named
for him were old enough to permit
their parents to journey to Wash
ington for the event. So many did
make the trip that Daniel Webster
on inauguration eve wrote:
1T seems as though the Nation has
rushed to the Capital. A great null
titude, too many to be fed without a
miracle, already are in the city"
In front of the Capitol the multi
tude gathered on the morning of
March 4, 1929. 'Hurrah for Old Hick-
ory!' they shouted as their hero ap-
peareG and began his inaugural ad-
dress. When he finished speaking
front-line spectators lodged under
the rope, raced up the Capitol
steps to the presidential platform
and wrung the new Presidents hand
in congratulation. Grateful for such
a show of affection old Hickory"
let word go out that the Executive
Mansion was open to all and that
cheese, crackers and orange punch
would be served there.
That invitation started one of the
topsy-turvy parties of history. When
the host arrived at the White House
he found his guests waiting for him,
they having been on the outside of
the crowd and he in it's center when
the race started. The Presidents ad-
visers wanted to make the house
warming even more remarkable by
keepfng the guests in the front yard.
But the democratic Jackson replied:
mo. Let them come in"
And come they did The crowd de-
cided to sample the hosts refresh
ments first and meet him afterward.
They charged upon the walters. They
upset more glasses than they grasped.
They spilled more punch than they
drank. They broke down doors to
the kitchen and helped themselves to
barrels of punch that were standing
there.
Then, eager to wish Jackson an
other inauguration day, all seemingly
tried to grasp his hand at once. His
aides, instead of introducing guests
to the President, had to lock arms
and form barrier to keep them from
him. To lessen the crush around the
President, tubs of punch We're placed
in the grounds outside of the Mansion.
That bait proved effective.
x = X
A MONCi those not present was the
- retiring President. John Quincy
Adams. Defying custom, he went
horse riding while his successor took
the oath cf Office. Adams friends
likewise would have nothing to do
with the ceremonies. District OF
Columbia militiamen even declined to
serve as the President elects escort.
In short, those who were still nurs-
ing scars of the Adams Jackson cam
paign raised cold shoulder to the
affair And other visitors determined
that Andy Jackson should have all
the glory due him, ushered him into
the White House with an old fash-
toned" whoop that they hoped would
reach the ears of horse riding Adams.
Inaugurations, like death and pub
ucation of income tax returns, have a
way of revealing such conditions In
the great American family. George
Washington's installation showed
that a baby government was taking
its first step. Abraham Lincolns dls-
closed that divorce proceedings were
in the air.
They did not know just how to in
augurate George Washington. The
President-e thought the ceremony
should be private.
The people thought it should be
nublic The Senate burst into debate
on the question Shall the Hlsher
House of Congress stand or remain
seated when the HresluenI-eiee' eh
ters it's chamber
Chancellor Robert r. Livingston,
who was to administer the oath or
office, forgot to obtain Bible untll
the ceremony actually was unoer
way. Then he could not locate one
in the halls of Congress Hurrylng
to the nearby Masonic lodgeroom' ne
found the needed book there, and re-
turned with it to escort the Presi-
tn ha balcony, WneEe
he was to be installed
AS soon as Washington had sworn
to preserve, protect ana de1eno the
Constitution of the United states
Chancellor Livingston shouted TO the
crowd:
Long live George Washington,
President of the United States"
Critics pounced upon that cry. 1t
was too much like the hated Long
live the king" They also frowned
upon Washington's wearing OF
sword at his Inauguration. That TOO
seemed like an emblem OF RUE py
might.
toms inaugural speech. He stepped
from the balcony into the Senate
chamber and addressed Congress
only, members of Congress standing
throughout the speech. Then, with
officials of New York, In which city
the first inauguration was held, ana
with Congress, the President went 70
a religious service In st. Paul
Church.
The church service, the Presidents
sword and the chancellor's cry were
omitted at succeeding inaugurals and
there were introduced an extensive
parade and a ball. Washington's in
stallation was an experiment, Just as
his first administration was an enort
10 apply the new Constitution to the
new republic. Both the original Con-
stitution and the original inaugural
program had to be changed.
Concerning the lack of an fnaugu-
raj ball in 1879, bow must be made
TO Martha Washington. The Presi-
dent-elect's advisers, having over
come his objection to public exercises,
intended to treat his opposition to
hall likewise But it was learned
that Nine Washington was not ac-
companying her husband to the seat
of Government. That vetoed the BAH.
x X x x
WAR hung in the offing when Abra-
w ham Lincoln became President.
Seven States had left the Union.
Some persons were threatening to as
sassinate Lincoln during his inaugu-
raj ceremonies.
To prevent that, cavalrymen sur
rounded the carriage in which Lin
coin rode to the Capitol. troops stood
in front of the platform there and
cannon overlooked the grounds. AS
an added safeguard, soldiers were
stationed on roofs and sidewalks
along the parade route, with orders
to shoot instantly any one who
threatened the presidential party.
n