Year: 1873

Thousands Of curious eyes wer
6xed upon the President that was an,


was to be, but little could they max,
out-his manner was one Of perfect


placidity, almost unconcerned. HI


looked around the chamber and up te
the galleries, talked little In his low.
voiced, slow way. with friends pesl
him, listened intently, but with NO
show Of emotion. to the speeches, and
measured with his cool, gray eyes
each new Senator - he WAS sworn In.
Evidently he saw nothing In the sit
uation dramatic, wonderful. or speci-
ally solemn. Very quietly he passed
out on to the platform, and confronted
. vast assemblagc Of people, standing
patiently in the bitter air. The sun
shone with genuine holiday bright.
ness, but the wind was as fierce and
vindictive - though blowing from the
mouth Of one Of Dante's frozen hells,
and lot loose especially for the occasion
BY demons OF Democratic and secession
antecedents. With his venerable
head barred to that freezing blast, Chief
Justice Chase administered the oath.
One could but wonder what went on
In this proud mans secret heart while
being called to assist, in this solemn
manner, for the second time, In the
elevation Of that plain soldier to the
lofty position to which he had SO long
aspired. Perhaps, though. all feeling
on this score has, ere this. died out OF
. nature too just and honorable to be
bitter or envious, and he Is content
with the great but mOnotonous duties
Of bis own grand position.


The people shouted as though shout
ing for continent, when the Presi-
dent, having renewed his oath to serve
them In the future II he had served
them In the paet, turned full on them
that familiar, impassive-that etill,
bafiiing face, unconciliating, but not
unfriendly, betraying by neither flush
nor pallor, by neither tremor nor rig
idity, sense Of exultation or heavy
responsibility, Of triumph, or stern re-
solve. 1t even wore. or seemed to
wear, shade Of sadness, prophetic or
retrospective. It may be that at that
supreme moment he thought Of his
great, broken-hsarted rival, taking the
first rest Of busy life, and the first
peace after long, brave warfare, un-
der . chill blanket Of winter SHOWS,
with the faded flowers Of November
frozen against his breast. Again and
again pealed forth that mighty shout
Of the people, and 1t seemed to me
that while infinitely moro Impressive
than the bonn Of cannon, and moro
joyous than the peal Of trumpets, it
was . grand rebuke to politicians and
demsgogues, who vainly spend their
lives In cunning plottings and mad
struggles for the place aud power to
which this great soldier attained, by
simply doing his duty in quite anoth-
or line of business. That business
-aess~ApatsAsd, y cannot be said he
made his own way to his present posi-
ton. He was lifted to 1t by the will
Of tho people II ever man was. He
did not toll up "the winding stair to q
great place." which Bacon speaks Of.
He went up an elevator, smoking
leisurely all the way. Like . soldier
he now stood In the bleak air and read
his inaugural-happily for him and
his audience short one. Then there
was more firing Of big guns and more
music. the great procession reformed
and marched rapidly down the hill,
hardly staying on the order Of their
going, and tho whole magnificent
pageant faded away like . dream
Grace Greenwood.