Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1933-02-23


THE INAUGURAL ADDRESS
Harrison read his inaugural address-the long
est on record-from the eastern portico of the
Capitol Standing for an hour without hat or
topcoat, me contracted a cold and died within
q month after he became President. When John
Tyler was sworn In month later he had to
borrow money to make the trip from his home
In Williamsburg, where he was playing games
with his children when the news OF his success.
sion to the Presidency came.
Tyler refused to take any part In the inaugu
ration of President Polk, but left Washington
on the morning of March 4, 1885,
Polk had the distinction of being the first
President to take the oath of office under an
-umhrela
Franklin Pierce, the only President ever to
deliver an inaugural address without the aid of
notes, had a squad Of fire engines In his parade.
Buchanan's inauguration was unimposIng except
for spectacular floats and great dinner,
The most momenteHs and impressive inaugural
parade that eye moved through the streets Of
washington was when Lincoln first took Office.
Buchanan, an old man In swallowtailed coat,
hobbled along with Lincoln to the carriage. Lin
coin was attired In new black suit and shin
Ing high hat. He carried gold-headed cane.
Between double files OF cavalry the Presden-
tial carriage moved along Pennsylvania avenue
while soldiers marched In front and behind.
RIfemen were stationed on roofs commanding
the thoroughfaFe and cavalry guarded every ap-
proach to the Capitol. The journey was made In
safety Stephen A. Douglas, Linc0ln's lifelong
rival, held the hat of the new President as he
read the inaugural
AT LIncoln's second inaugural procession there
was shown q model of the Monitor with Its tur-
ret revolving and Its guns firing at Intervals. A
battalion of negro soldiers had an honorable
place In the long procession. 1t had been raining
and the day was gloomy As Lincoln was about
to take the oath. however the sun burst through
the clouds, omen which he said made his
heart jump. So i
With the Inauguration OF Grant. the military
display continued because the friends of Mrs
Surratt had threatened to attack him. His In
auguration drew the biggest crowd that had yet
gathered Many had to walk the streets of Wash
ingtoh all night because they could obtain no
lodging. Grant laid aside his cigar for the cere-
mony but disappointed the crowd by not wear
Ing his uniform.
Hayes Inauguration was uneventful except
for the failure to reach FINAL decision on who
had been elected until March q but at Garfeld's
the crowd grew to the unheard Of proportions
OF $4,000, many Of whom brought their lunch
baskets with them A yellow dog that Garfield
had once befriended and fed followed behind
him In the parade and was given home at
the White House
The Cleveland parade was memorable for the
large number of Tammany braves, fanclfully
dressed and carrying tomahawks. who marched
In It,
Benjamin Harrison Is the President who read
his inaugural address to the gllstening tops of
red. white and blue umbrellas but with the
coming of Roosevelt glamour re-entered Innum-
cradle cowboys were In the parade and used
their larlats freely In the crowd. There was
also corps OF former Rough Riders and group
OF Indian chiefs. Harvard students gave a long
yell for Teddy. The ovation was one of the
greatest and the parade one of the most spec
tacufar In the history of this quadrenntal pofit-
zeal carnival,
The Taft and Wilson nauguratons are the
most memorable ones In recent years, the one
for the blizzard, the other for the atmosphere
of tension which had not been equaled since the
first installation OF Lincoln.
The Taft blizzard as 1t Is called, descended
upon Washington without warning. The previous
day had been warm and foggy and fair weather
was promised for March A. But In the morning
Washington woke up to find heavy blanket Of
snow and more falling with binding force.
Wilson's first inaugural was little more than
an outpouring of Democrats to celebrate their
first victory since Cleveland, but was marked by
the presence OF suffragists in the parade. His
second. however taking place In the critical days
Just before the declaration OF war upon Ger
many was one of the most notable ever held
Hardings inaugural was notable for the tragic
passage OF the shattered and broken figure Of the
retiring President, who came to the Capitol for
the last time on that day and went from there
to his street home without even ganclng al
the White House as he passed It for the last
time.
Coolldge's Inauguration was more solemn and
= serious but also more devoid OF glamour and
, Pemp- than any In recent years. The carefree
carnival spirit OF HardIng's was missing except
in the person OF Vice President Dawes, who
made his now famous speech to the senate tell
Ing them their rules all wrong.
20 by Western Newspaper union.l