The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1933-02-24

a announced his desire for a simple
"a Inauguration ceremony on March 4,
+x the fact remains that the capital
lM of the nation on that day will be
the scene of a celebration which is
] always impressive, no matter how
~ many of the spectacular elements
which have characterized past Pres
idential inauguratons may be discarded because
Of the demand Of the present times for economy
in all things.
For whether the ceremony is simple eIab-
crate and whether the weather is fair or stormy
(and it has become almost tradition that it's
pretty likely to be stormy, inauguration day
is a red-letter day for the nation and many
Of our citizens who go TO the National
Capital TO take part in it and usually do their
best to make the most of that day. Whether there
is an elaborate display of "pOmp and circum-
stance" or not. there is the utmost Of impress
siveness in the very simplicity of the occasion
when a private citizen with right hand up
raised and with left hand resting on an open
Bible. repeats a few words after the black
gowned chief justice of the Supreme court Of
the United States and thus is made President
of a nation of more than a hundred million peo-
pie and, to a very large degree, guardian OF
their welfare
There has been a sameness to all Inaugural
ton day ceremonies and yet there has always
been some new element to make each one diff
ferent Undoubtedly this years ceremony will
be different from the last three in that it will
witness thousands of jubant Democrats flock
ing to Washington to celebrate the fact that
they are the fins" after long years of being
the "outs," Just they did when Grover C1eve-
land and Woodrow Wilson were inaugurated.
But the outstanding fact about this years in
auguratiOn. so far it is possible to character
ize il in advance. is that more Americans will
hear the new President take the oath of office
before listened to those spoken words in our
IA years of history
The radio hOok-ups which will carry the
Presidents words to every corner of the coun-
try, and perhaps even around the world, are
responsible for that fact This is the second time
that the inauguration day ceremonies have been
broadcast but the increased number of radio
sets and the increased radio mindedness" Of
the American people since the Inauguration of
Herbert Hoover four years ago will make it
possible for many thousands more-possibly mil
nons-Americans TO hear Franklin D. RoOse-
welt swear 70 uphold the Constitution of the
United States than have ever before listened
to that pledge from any other President.
The first inauguration ceremony, that OF
George Washington. was held neither in the
city Of Washington (Which did not then EXIST
nor on the traditional March 4. Instead it took
place in New York city. which was then the
capital of the nation. April so, 1889. In the
case OF the first President there was an I'm
augural parade which preceded the Inauguration
ceremony instead of following it. as became
the custom from the time Of Andrew Jackson
on down through the years.
Washington had hoped to have the ceremonies
attendant upon his induction into Office simple
and unassuming. But the people and the mill
tia poured out and followed him all the way
from Mount Vernon TO New York city; he had
TO ride under triumphal arches in Philadelphia
and other cities and was generally feted and
honored throughout the course OF his journey.
So there fell to him the distinction OF having
what was undoubtedly 1.-The longest inaugural
parade in American history"
The actual Inauguration took place on a stage
which had been built the steps OF the fed
eral building twhere the present subtreasury
building In Wall street now stands, and the
Washington statue there is believed TO stand
upon the exact spot where Washington stood
when he took oath Of officel The first congress
Of the United States of America took It's place
On the stage Escorted by Gen. Morgan Lewis
distinguished figure assembled the steps-the
man who had led the Continental armies 70
victory and who had been chosen the first lead
er in peace-Gen. George Washington. great
cheer went up from the people who were watch
ing the scene
Then took place one OF those curious Incl
dents which often happen to mar the impress