The Coolidge examiner., 1933-02-24

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, he contracted a cold and died within
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. 1916.
Polk had the distinction of being the first
President to take the oath of Office under an
umbrella.
Franklin Pierce the only President to
deliver an inaugural address without the aid of
notes had squad OF fire engines in his parade
Buchanan's inauguration was unimposing, except
for spectacular floats and great dinner.
The most momentous and impressive inaugural
parade that ever moved through the streets of
washington was when Lincoln first took Office
Buchanan. an old man in swallow-tailed coat,
hobbled along with Lincoln to the carriage. Lin
coin was attired in a new black suit and shin
ing high hat He carried a gold-headed cane.
Between double files of cavalry the Preslden-
tial carriage moved along Pennsylvania avenue
while soldiers marched in front and behind
the thoroughfare and cavalry guarded every ap-
proach to the Capitol. The journey was made in
safety. Stephen A. Douglas, Lncoln's lifelong
rival, held the hat Of the new President as he
read the inaugural.
At Llncoln's second inaugural procession there
was shown model of the Monitor with it's 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.
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
ington 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 2, but at Garfeld's
the crowd grew to the unheard of proportions
Of $4,000, many of whom brought their lunch
baskets with them. yellow dog that Garfield
had once befriended and fe6 followed behind
him in the parade and was given a home at
the White House.
The Cleveland parade was memorable for the
large number of Tammany braves, fancifully
dressed and carrying tomahawks, who marched
in it
Benjamin Harrison is the President who read
his inaugural address to the gstening tops of
red, white and blue umbrellas, but with the
coming of Roosevelt glamour re-entered. Innum-
cradle cowboys in the parade and used
their larats freely in the crowd. There was
- De-, ID;
of Indian chiefs. Harvard students gave long
yell for Teddy. The ovation was one of the
greatest and the parade Of the most spec
tacuar in the history Of this quadrennial polit
ical carnival
The Taft and Wilson inauguratons 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 T. 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
Harding's 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 glancing at
the White House as he passed it for the last
time.
COolidge's inauguration was more solemn and
serious but also more devoid of glamour and
pomp than any In recent years The carefree
carnival spirit of Hardng'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 were all wrong
&c by Western Newspaper Unionl