Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-04
BY THOMAS r. HENRY.

+ auguratiOn ceremonies IN WASH
ington stretches back through
Il the Shadowy avenues OF history.
Thirty-three Presidents have
come and gone since that Spring morn
ing in 1901 when a company of Alex
andria riflemen, veterans of the great
war with England, assembled in front
of Thomas Jefferson's boarding house to
escort the red-headed philosopher across
stump filled clearing to half-flnished
Capitol on which the carpenters had
stopped work for the day.
Each Inauguration. viewed in retro
Spect, has been symbolic OF its period.
Brass bands and gold lace have attend
ed periods of peace and plenty. Scant
ceremonial, women in black silk, and
Sirab uniforms have come With inaugu-
rations in time of war and reaction from
war.
On the whole it has been trium-
plant, jubilant pageant marching
through history as the United States
has advanced from a loosely knit fec-
Grafton of sparsely settled colonies along
the Atlantic Coast, with their poverty
stricken farmers casting envious eyes
on the feshpots of Europe. to ma
ton of 100, 0oo, 900 people, the envy OF
all the world for its riches and power.
Each inaugural has been choro In a
swelling diapason of Gods bounty.
Yet running through it all there is
a nlaintive minor strain with its eternal
reiterance of the ancient sorrow gnaw-
ing at the heart of humanity-thae
flesh is dust and that the old orders
are changing even in the midst OF their
most triumphant expressions:
Jefferson, Jackson, Lincoln, GRANT,
Cleveland, Wilson-on down the old
Avenue sweeps the mighty pageant OF
inSfir shadow
of the Capitol dome. To what destlaa-
tion who knows? Who doubts that II
will be one of mightier glory than
the world can envision?
George washington was short OF cash
for the long overland journey from
Mount Vernon to New York 70 De
inaugurated as first President OF the
United States.
Alexandra and started out by coach
ON April 16, 1888, allowing hlmSeH Two
weexs to reach his destination.
It was a triumphal progress all the
wav At Alexandria. Georgetown, Baltl-
more. wilmington, Philadelphia, Tren-
ton and Elizabeth he was dined ana
wined by the leading citizens. Houses
were decked with wreaths and flags.
Little girls in white dresses streweo
flowers in his path. Veterans OF Prince-
ton and Brandywine pressed tnroush
the crowds to shake his nano.
For two weeks people had been pour.
ing into New York. Every tavern and
BOARDING house was filled. The morn
inc Of April 80 was vibrant with artn-
lerv salyos and pealing church bells.
washington was escorted from MS
LODGINGS on Cherry street to the Federal
Euildir1c bv two militia companies, one
made lip of the tallest young men IN
the city and another OF German
veterans.
bible borrowed from nearby Masonic
Iodgeroom. for Chancellor Livingstone
who had charge of the ceremonies, nae
forgotten to provide one. A..
The multitude which blackened tne
streets and housetops cheered as az
anneared on q balcony over broae
street. put his hand on his heart anc
bowed low several times. He was dressee
in a suit of dark brown cloth VIII
metal buttons on which eagles weI'
embossed. He wore sword at his sioe
His hair was dressed and powdered
There were silver buckles on his shoes
washington read his inaugural al
dress in the Senate chamber. says !
commentator of the day: THE PTesl
dent was extremely nervous. n
trembled continuously. He attempted
couple Of gestures. but they were awK
ward"
fireworks display, PROVIDED py prNaO
subscription, from tne "nuoms ~ ~
Chancellor Livingstone's house oi
lower Broadway He returned to Cnerr
street on foot because the CROWDS u
fhe streets were SO dense carrlag
could not have made its way tnrougi
them.
At his second Inauguration in Pnna
deluhia washington rode TO the feoeIa
puildidne in a coach bearing the design
of the four seasons and drawn by 81
white horses He was dressed In piac
velvet witt: diamond knee buckles. ="
men with long white wanos cleate1
passage @or the coacn Through Va
crowds. $50,
Thomas Jefferson attended the csfe
rnony in a blue coat and crimson yes
Xxx
The House of Representatives !
Philadelphia was filled to its capaclt
for the Inauguration of John Adam
This was the occasion OF WaSnine
toms farewell address. In weeping &c
Washington the spectators forgot
cheer for Adams. The second FfesioeA
was hurt by the neglect. :
MANY of those who witnessed ms IL
aueuration were suspicious OF MN.
gtanch Republicans fought he VIZ
favorable to monarchy. He was Un
tartan. and the good PHILADELPHIA des
cons of the day thought that meal
he was an atheist.
"A solemn scene 1t was noeeo, Il
wrote to his wife Abigail that evenn
land was made more affecting TO n
by the presence of the general, VINO
countenance was as serene ana I"
cloudad as the day. Methougnt
heard him say: Aye, I am fairly o
and YOU are fairly in. See which O
of MS will be the happiest.' All agre
that, taken altogether, it was the su
finest thing ever exhibited In America
81
On March 4, 1901, Thomas Je
ferson walked across muddy fleld II
of tree stumps from his boarding nou
near the present site of the Congrf
sional Library to the half finished Ca
itol to take the oath OF office.
He was escorted by company
rifiemen from Alexandria in b'
breeches and sky-blue claW-hamn
coats with yellow facings ana prs
buttons.
lew Gays pcioAC ic 1An0 sNS.A
son-in-law, Jack Eppes, $1,000 and 81
him to Charlottesville to buy So
of horses and a great yellow char
Eppes got stuck in the mud on
way back to Washington, The phil
opher- President made the best OF
situation Probably he welcomed
He had sneered at the ceremon
which attended the inaugurations
Washington and Adams. They smell
of royalty to the man to whom XII
were lice In the hair of nations.
Jefferson was not without perso