Evening star., 1936-09-11
Conflicting Accounts of
Jackson's Inauguration
To the Editor Of The Star:

10 tne Eoltor OF Inc STAR.
In the story of Artemus p. Harmon on
fekgy ONeal Sunday, he says:
"Tns Inauguration of Andrew Jackson
Is marked in history as one Of the strang-
est celebrations ever held in Washington.
In fact, it was q riot. There was no
parade and no semblance of dignity.
The general walked to the Capitol ac-
companied by tumultuous crowd which
trailed him on foot, in gigs and in carts,
and did its best to break down the bar
riers in front Of the platform created
for the ceremony. After being sworn in
the President escaped on horseback to
the Palace"
The very valuable compilation OF
Thomas H. Mckee on Presidential In
augurations" tells us that the friends of
President Adams had agreed not to par
ticipate in the inaugural ceremonies and
the only uniformed company of light
infantry In the District declined to offer
its escort to the President elect: but
that company Of revolutionary officers
and soldiers, having been previously or
ganized, rendered its service and called
at Gadsbys Hotel for Gen. Jackson who
rode alone In an open carriage. 1.-The
procession reached the Capitol shortly
after II o'clock and the President elect
was escorted to the Senate chamber
attended by his revolutionary comrades.
Here peculiar incident occurred. When
the surviving officers and soldiers had
called at the hotel for the general, one
of their number delivered a short ad-
dress to him on behalf of his comrades
in arms. Now, in the Senate chamber,
In the presence of assembled officers,
Ministers, Senators and ladies, he replied
to this address and alluded to these
old comrades as companions of the i'm
mortal Washington. When he had con-
cluded the company proceeded to the
eastern portico of the Capitol-the first
Inauguration to take place there-and
when Jackson appeared at the east door
the assembled thousands shouted 'Hur-
rah for Jackson After the tumultuous
shouting ceased he removed his hat, took
the manuscript from his pocket and
read it with great dignity. Chief JUS
tice Marshall then administered the oath
Of office and the President, bowling his
head, touched the sacred book with his
lips. Once more there arose such q
shout as was never heard before in
Washington, while national salutes were
fired from artillery stationed on the
grounds near the Capitol. The crowd
surged toward the platform and had it
not been for a ships cable stretched
across the portico steps they would have
captured their beloved leader. AS it was
he shook hands with hundreds of his
fellow countrymen and was, with some
difhculty, escorted back to his carriage
and along Pennsylvania avenue to the
White House"
What different impression these two
accounts must leave upon the minds of
young readers. True, it is hard to ina
CINE Vice President Calhoun being q
participant in such an enthusiastic cere-
mony, but it is likewise difficult to
think Of that gentlemen writing such q
strong and wonderful proclamation as
was issued by President Jackson on De-
cember 10, 1832-the result Of which
was that extreme secessionists were held
back in their attempt for % years.
MRS. c. G. SNIFFEN.