Evening star., 1949-01-20
Inauguration
(Cnntinlled From First Page.)

President-edect Barkley's friends
and relatives.
There, too, were Chief Justice
Vinson, Speaker Reyburn OF the
House of Representatives, and Sem
ator McKellar of Tennessee, Presi-
dent Pro Tempore of the Senate.
The outer fringes of the platform
were packed with more important
American and foreign guests than
would ever be found assembled ex-
cept at such ceremony. On what
would be the Presidents right were
the members of House OF Repre-
sentaJives and Governors OF the
States. On what would be his left
were his cabinet, the associate JUS
tices OF the Supreme Court, and the
envoys of foreign powers.
On both sides, their uniforms con-
strastjng sharply with the dark
garments of others on the plat
form, were chiefs of the various
armed services on which the Ma
ton depends for defense in this
critical time.
Below the platform, some 1850
seated guests and reporters were in
place on unpainted wooden benches.
On an elevated stand facing the
inaugural platform, television and
newsreel cameras ground away. re-
cording the scene. Eastward, TO-
ward First street, the ISLANDERS were
massed. Those in front had been
there for hours, stamping their feet
to keep the blood moving, waiting
for the great moment.
The opening of the half-hour in
augural ceremony was signaled as
the Marine Band, directly below the
Presidents rostrum and the great
seal of the United States, struck up
Hail to the Chief" and Mr.. Tru-
man made his entrance to the plat
| form from the Capitol Building.
Prayer by DR.. Pruden.
The first order of business was a
short prayer by the Rev. Edward H
Pruden, Mr.. Truman's pastor at the
First Baptist Church here.
God of the nations" said DR.
Pruden, "in Whom we live and move
and have our being, and from Whom
cometh every good and perfect gift
we pause at the beginning OF this
days historic proceedings to invoke
Thy blessing upon this beloved coun-
try of ours and upon all who serve
her highest interests.
Grant to Thy servant, the Presi-
dent of the United States, all needed
wisdom, health and strength, as he
rededicates himself anew today to
the high Office to which he has been
called.
May he continue to lead us as
he is led by Thee in the ways that
make for domestic tranquility and
international accord.
"Bestow upon us, Our Father, the
happiness which is reserved for that
nation whose God is the Lord
through Jesus Christ, our Redeemer
we pray. Amen"
Barkley Takes Oath From Reed.
Vice President Barkley took his
oath from Justice Reed, after the
National Anthem had been sung by
[ Phil Regan. There followed short
prayer by Rabbi Samuel Thurman
of St. Louis, and then Mr.. Tru-
man stepped forward to perform the
act for which the aSsemblage had
been waiting.
With his right hand raised and
his left hand resting on the two
Bibles, the one-time Jackson Coun-
ty plowboy repeated the IS words
of the Presidents constitutional
oath, as read by Justice Vinson:
II do solemnly swear that I will
faithfully execute the Office oi
President of the United States, and
will to the best Of my ability
preserve, protect and defend the
Constitution of the United States.
1t was over in a matter of Sec
onds. Immediately after taking tht
oath, Mr.. Truman began his in
augural address, speaking to the
world of the peace which his
America hopes to establish and
maintain against all comers.
The ceremony closed with the fol-
low, a benediction BY the Most Rev
Patrick A. O'Boyle, Archbishop OF
Washington:
! Blessed art Thou Lord God Of