Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-01
INAUGURAL PAGEANT
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James Madison.
BY ALEXANDER n. GEORGE


IN the dust of two troops OF cavalry
little great man" in suit of brown
cloth drove from his house in High
street. Georgetown. down Pennsylvania
avenue to the Capitol March 4, 1909. to
become the fourth President of the
United States.
James Madison Of Virginia, aristocrat
in birth and manners; but Jeffersonian
Democrat In politics, came to the helm
OF the young Republic weary and in frail
health after years of extraordinary ac-
tivity In its service. The man who had
labOred for religious freedom in his
State and constitutional liberty in the
Nation was to be eclipsed in the public
eye by the dazzling personality Of the
First Lady-Dolly Madison, the belle Of
four administrations in Washington.
John Quincy Adams, who was to be-
come the sixth President. briefly gives
his impressions of the inauguration:
The House was very much crowded
and its appearance very magnificent.
Mr.. Madison made very short speech
in tone of voice so low he could not
be heard, after which the official oath
was administered to him by Chief Jus
tice Marshall. After the ceremony was
over I went to pay the visit Of custom.
The company was received at Mr. Madi-
sons house, he not having yet removed
to the Presidents house."
The event had drawn a record break
ing crowd to Washington. At the after
noon reception every room in the house
was flled any many guests had to wait
half an hour before they could get in.
Esther Singleton in her STORY of the
White House" says:
Mr.. and Mrs. Madison stood near
the door of the drawing room to receive
the guests, she, as usual, the dominating
personality. She wore plain cambria
dress with very long train, plain
around the neck, without any kerchief,
and beautiful bonnet of purple velvet
and white satin with white plumes.
AT the opening Of the inaugural ball
in the evening the band played 'Jeffer-
sons March In honor of the retiring
President, who entered the hall with
Mr.. Coles. He said to friend: Am I
TOO early? You must tell me how to
behave, for 1t Is more than 40 years
since have been to ball. The Presi-
dents party entered as the band played
'Madison's March
Mrs. Madison came first, on the arm
or one OF the managers, wearing q cos
tune OF pale buff velvet with a long
train devoid of trimming. Her head
dress was sent from Paris, and made of
the same velvet, trimmed with white
satin and two birds of paradise plun1es.
A pearl necklace, earrings and bracelets
completed this rich dreA.
The President was In black, with
ruffies at his throat. His stockings were
SILK and his shoes were ornamented with
silver buckles. His peculiar, springing
step, as II ne were trying to make him
sen seem taller than usual, was the only
indication he gave Of the consciousness
that he was the most important person.
age In the assemblage."
When Dolly Madison became mistress
OF the Executive Mansion the formali-
ties OF the days of Washington and
Adams were revived. Overshadowing
her punctilious but taciturn husband.
Sne held her queenly court during eight
years OF social splendor in Washington.
Mrs. William Seaton, wife Of the
owner OF the newspaper, the National
1ntelllgencer, chronicles In regal terms
the White House functions of that day.
On November II, 1912, she wrote:
On Tuesday William and repaired
10 the palace (the Executive Mansion)
between 4 and o'clock, our carriage
sitting US down after the first corners
ana before the last. It Is customary on
Whatever occasion to advance to the
upper end Of the room, pay your obeis-
ance to Mrs. Madison, courtesy to his
highness and take O seat.
Mrs. Madison very Handsomely came
70 me and led me nearest the IRE. in
PRODUCED Mrs. Magruder, and sat down
between US. politely conversing on ia
miliar subjects and by her ease making
her guests feel at home. The dinner
was certainly very fine, but, still, was
surprised. as it did not surpass some I
nave eaten In Carolina. There were
many French dishes and exquisite wines,
I presume, by the praises bestowed on
them, but I have been so little accus-
toned to drink that I could not discern
the difference between sherry and rare
old Burgundy madeira"