Evening star., 1925-03-05
The Inauguration.

The inauguration of Calvin Coolidge
as President of the United States in
his own right yesterday was truly
enjoyed by the people of Washington
and the thousands of visitors gath
cred here for the thirtieth Inaugural
ton.
Despite the solemnity of the occa-
sion, and the somewhat unusual sim
plicity of the ceremonies, the old-time
splendor and joy of an Inauguration
were, not lacking. The tremendous
crowd at the Capitol, the scores of
thousands who watched the process
sion, and the 5000 persons at the
inaugural charity ball at the May
flower in the evening, made the occa-
sion one of happiness.
For the inauguration of a President
of this Republic is time of rejoicing
in the highest and best sense of
the phrase. In the hearts of the
people, those people whom it is not
possible to fool all the time, lies a
Just sense of the happiness of each
time when a good man and great is
made head of the Nation.
There rode with Calvin Coolidge
yesterday not only living men of up
rightness and honor, eminent in the
Nation today, but there went with him
an unseen multitude OF the great men
of old.
The New England ancestors of the
President seemed to hover over the
historic route of the parade along
Pennsylvania avenue, adding to the
solemnity of the scene. The old
patriots were there, the long line of
fathers of the Republic, of which
George Washington was chief.
Sterling attributes of character
marched in that parade, all those at
tributes of honor and virtue which,
despite human failings, have gone to
make this Nation what it is today.
SO, while there was lack of ap-
plause, there was no lack of full ap-
probation Of the inaugural, of what
it meant to the Nation, of it's essen
tial dignity, and also of its essential
joyfulness.
The high tide Of happiness came at
the charity inaugural ball at night at
g the new Mayflower, where 5000 per-
sons gathered. Those who have at
tended many Of the inaugural balls
of the past united today in declaring
that the ball of last night was the most
brilliant in history. There were more
eminent men there, there were more
color, more happiness.
An inaugural. it must be remem-
bered, is not entirely in the hands of
the President. In IL sense, it is not in
MS hands at all. An inauguration is
solemn occasion, it is true, but at
the same time it is joyful one.
Just as in life happiness is mixed
with solemnity, so at an inauguration
festivity has a proper place. And
the wishes of the people must be con-
sidered along with the desires of the
main character in the pageant.
There are those who dreaded that.
with simplicity and economy the
watchwords of the celebration, the
quality of impressiveness, so funda-
mental factor in the induction to
office OF the leader of this Nation,
would be lost yesterday, and perhaps
for all time. This was not nor will be
the fact, yet certainly the policy of
inaugural simpliication has been car.
ried as far as it should be in times of
national prosperity. For the dignity
of the United States would seem to de-
mand a glorious, soul-stirring inaugu-
ration, one that will send the people
back to their homes, not only in Wash
ingtor but throughout the country,
impressed anew with the glory cf
their land