Democratic Sentinel, Volume 13, Number 7, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 March 1889 — PAST INAUGURATIONS. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

PAST INAUGURATIONS.

■TO-DAY AND YESTERDAY IN THE NATIONAL METROPOLIS. Oar Presidents, from Washington to Harrison—The Great Capitol Building—The White House and Its Spacious Grounds— Inaugurations of the Past. The inauguration of President Harrison revives many memories of a past age in the minds of those who have visited the Capitol City for the ilrst time. The Uhited States is a weak bantling in matters of antiquity in the eyes of dusty England, with its abbeys of the fourteenth century, its statues of twenty generations, and its time-worn archives; but in Washington, if anywhere, is exemplified the fact that our people aro learning to cherish and revere the tokens that cluster around the birth of a nation, and at every step in the crowded city will be met reminders of the lost century and connecting links of suggestion down through the decades to the present time. These aro manifest more particularly in the great Capitol Building and the White House, both of which structures glow forth resplendent through the grime and wear of nearly a hundred years, and present within more than one treasure of antiquity, sacredly guarded through storm, the elements and war. The entire city aspect is .tinged with historical semblance, combined with an effort at the attractive and beautiful. From a mero town-site, containing 3,000 people, it has grown to a 14-mile circuit, covers nearly ten squaro miles, and, from its hundred-foot elevation, looks down four miles of Potomac frontage to a circling range of maguilicent wooded hills. Boasting a population of nearly 150.000, its twenty-one tree-shaded avenues of sweeping width prosent surprises in mall, squares, circles and triangles that include the great Botanical Garden, the Smithsonian Institution, the Department of Agriculture, and statues, lofty and massive, commemorative of the men who helped to make great the Government which the

lovely city represents. In bronze. Juekson looks down from his clmrgrer at La ayetto Square; Lincoln scans Judiciary Square in dignified pose; the heroic statue of ltawlins rests on the tract that bears his name; Washington greets the passer-by at the circle; Scott guards the White House to the north; and. the gift of the colored race, the writer of the Emancipation Proclamation, looms over Lincoln Park in colossal bronze. At every turn there is a suggestion of the past, and no visitor will leave the city without having seen in some guise or other, the counterfeit presentment of each one of the Presidents who have guarded the destinies of the United States since it burst the bonds of dependence and bloomed forth the free nation or all mankind. The group given herewith includes President from Washington to Harrison—a period of exactly 100 years. President Harrison is the twenty-third citizen who has risen to the highest honor In the gift of the people. The scroll of national fame accords equal reverence to the direct choice of the people and to accidental successors, and death has given five of the latter class a place in history. The official summary condenses the iives of these great m.eu to a historical line, but it Is thrilling with eloquent deeds cherished in the hearts of a people. THE GBEAT CAPITOL BUILDING. The Capitol Building hardly shows its age, and it is difficult to imagine that it lacks only four years of beiDg a century old. The accompanying picture gives a full front view. Facing east, on the west brow of a plateau, its 751 feet of length affords a grand and pleasing prospect, while ovor naif that amount of depth enables the building to very comfortably crowd nearly four acres of ground. Its history may be briefly summarized: Cornerstone laid by Washington Sept. 18,1793; north wing ready for tho first sitting of Congress Nov. 17, 1800; south wing finished, 1838; interior of both wings burned by the British Aug. 24, 1814; reconstruction of wings begun. 1815; foundation of main building laid March 24, 1818, and the whole completed, 1827. An BXtensionwas projected twenty-three years later, and its corner-stone was laid by President Fillmore and Daniel Webster July

4. 1851. This addition saw completion only after sixteen years' work. The entire structure, with its Corinthian columns, projections, conpted columns and recessed porticos, presents a striking look, the central sandstone being painted white and the marble extensions just streaked with faiht blue. Several groups of sculptures, the cast-iron dome in the ceuter, 135% feet in diameter and 287% foet in height, and the great bronze statue of Liberty at the apex, lend graceful finish to the most noted structure iu America. Inside, the rotunda forms a circular room ninety-six feet in diameter, and rising to the dome nearly double that distance, containing a number of line decorations and historical paintings. The Senate Chamber, the Hall ot the House of Representatives. Supreme Court rooms. Court of Claims, and library of Congress take up the interior of the edifice, and look out on the beautiful Capitol grounds, comprising 51% acres, handsomely laid out and containing a variety of trees, the colossal marble statue of Washington to the oast being a majestic guard to the great statues, paintings, and archives stored in a structure which is the wonder of every new-comer to the Capitol City. HOME OF THE PRESIDENTS. Perhaps not one out ot ten visitors arriving in Washington neglects to look first and foremost for the White House, which is here ilustratcd. Strangers get the Executive Mansion and the Capitol Building sadly mixed in tho mind’s eye, but, onco seen, tho White House is never forgotten. So accustomed aro people to see tho two buildings in engravings near together, that when they learn they are a mile and a half apart, tho President’s house being in the west portion of the city, they are puzzled und disappointed. The White House, so named by Washington from the Custis mansion at Mount Vernon, is only two stories in height, 170 feet ‘long, and 86 feet deep, with a beautiful north portico, supported on eight lonic columns, and a semicircular colonnade on the south with' six columns. It is built of Virginia freestone, which is very porous, and to protect it from tho weather it receives frequent coats of white

lead, which keeps it in clear, striking color, in harmony with its popular designation. Its history embraces live epochs of note: corner stone laid, 1792; edifice occupied by President Adams, 1890; burned by the British, 1814; restored and reocenpied, 1818. Its grounds embrace seventy-five acres, twenty of which, handsomely laid out. are inclosed as the President's private grounds. Tho nearest Government building is the Treasury, just east. Tho White House grounds lie between Fifteenth and Seventeenth streets, and extend to the Potomac Biver, and besides trees and!shrubbory have a line fountain. Tho interior is kept in modern order and elegance, despite the antiquity of tho edifice, which has the merit of roominess and solidity. SOME NOTABLE INAUGURATIONS. GEOEGE WASHINGTON. George Washington received every electoral vote for President, and, as far as can be known, every individual vote in the United States, But there was po such unanimity in the choice for Vioe President, John Adams receiving little more than a majority of the electoral votes. Owing to the badness of the roads, and not a little to what now seems criminal neglect, the members of the first House did not assemble in sufficient numbers to form a quorum until the 6th of April. 1789, and on that day the votes of thi* electors were opened and counted. Official information was immediately communicated to Washington and Adams, and preparations made for an impressive inauguration. On tho 14th of April Charles Thompson, Secretary of the late Congress, convoyed offlciul notice to Washington, and he sot out at once, his journey being a continued triumphal procession. As they drew near the city of New York, it was seen thnt all the vessels an'd boats were highty decorated and crowded with spectators, and his progress was accompanied with the music of many bands, the roar of cannon, and loud acclamations of the people. Landing at Murray’s wharf, he was received by the Governor, corporation of the city, plergy, foreign ministers, and the mili-

tary, and escorted to his residence. On the 3.th of April service was held in all ttie churches of the city at i) o’clock in the morning, and soon after noon the committees of Ocngress and the heads of depart-; ments waited' upon Washing on, and a grand procession was formed, the military in advance, the committees next, then- the President ii a coach accompanied by his Aid-de-Camp. Colonel Humphreys, and his Private Secretary, Tobias Lear. .After them were various civil officers and citizens. Arriving at Federal Hall, they were conducted

by Marshal Webb to the Senate Chamber, at the door of which the President was formally received by Vice President Adams, previously inaugurated, and conducted to his seat. Both houses of Congress occupied the Senate Chamber before him. Then the Vice President, addressing Washington, said: “Sir, the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States are ready to at-

tend you to ta4e the oath required by the Constitution, which will be administered by the Chancellor of the State of New York.” Washington responded: “1 am ready to proceed.” Then they passed to the open porch at the south end ot the hall, where Chancellor Livingston, of New York, pronounced the oath, and Washington, holding up his right hand reverently, in a clear, strong voice, said: “I, George Washington, do solemnly swear

that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend tho Constitution of the United States." Then kissing the book which Marshal Webb held up to him, he added. "So help me God,” The Chancellor then, turning to the people, exclaimed in a loud voice; “Long live George Washington. President of the United States.” A roar of applause went up from tb» 30.000 or 40,000 people

present, which was followed immediately by shouts in all the adjacent sections and the thunder of cannon. Washington bowed to the assembled multitude and returned to ,-the Senate chamber, where, both bouses |*nd the officlifts belpg seated, he delivered Ibis Inauguration sp-feeh. Then the new "President and the members of both houses proceeded io St. Paul's Cuurch and joined iu tho prayers which were offered by Dr. Provost, lately ordained Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church in New York and appointed Chapiain of the Senate.

TO THE CAPITOL ON HORSEBACK. It is rather' Curious that a matter so recent and so fully described as the inauguration of Thomas Jeffeison should have been the subject of so much discussion. We now know that it was the intention that hd should proceed in the usual state—that is, in a carriage with four or six horses—to tho Capitol, preceded by the Marshal and followed by whatever civic societies should volunteer; but, as a matter of fact, his carriage did not arrive, and so he rode on horseback, with only moderate stato, and entered the Senate Chamber attended by the heads of the departments, the Marshal of the District of Columbia, his officers, and other officials.

ANDREW JACKSON. General Jackson delivered his inaugural and took the oath of office at the east front of the Capitol. The procession both to and from the Capitol was the longest ever seen down to that time in Washington. From there the President went to the White House, where all the doors were open and no one was refused admittance. Orange punch by barrels was made, and in serving It pails would be upset, glasses broken and painful confusion caused. A prominent dairyman had honored the occasion by sending General Jackson an enormous cheese, the largest that could be manufactured and transported; its weight was 1,400 pounds. The cheese was cut up and distributed to the crowd, who struggled for it. dropped it, trod it into the carnets and thereby ruined them. ABRAHAM LINCOLN. President Lincoln, on the occasion of his first inauguration, rode to the Capitoi, between double files of cavalry, while upon the roofs of the houses lining Pennsylvania avenue were stationed squads of riflemen from the regular army, ready to shoot down anyone who should fire on the Presidential carriage. Just before the ceremonies began a strange historic group was accidentally formed. On one side was Senator Douglas, late Mr. Lincoln's chief rival for the Presidency, holding Mr. Lincoln’s hat. On the other stood Chief Justice Taney, author of the Dred Scott decision, and close to the latter President Buchanan. To the front and center stood Abraham Lincoln, President-elect, thus grouping together the principal characters in the most momentous era of American history. When the loud and prolonged cheering had subsided. Senator Baker briefly introduced Mr. Lincoln, and, steppipg forward, the President-elect, in a firm, clear voice, every word being heard by every one of the audience, read that remarkable inaugural. When lie pronounced the closing words, “I am loath to close—we are not enemies, but friends—we must not be enemies—though passion may have strained, it must not break o>ur bonds of affection,” etc., the people broke iuto aloud and prolonged cheer. Chief Justice Taney arose and took up his Bible, and Mr. Lincoln pronounced this oath: "I, Abraham Lincoln, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” As the last word died away, the battery, commanded by Gen. Scott, thundered its salute, Mr. Buchanan and President Lincoln returned to their carriage, and the military escorted them to the White House. GENERAL, GRANT. The inauguration of General Ulysses S. Grant on the 4th of March. 1869. aroused a great display of popular enthusiasm in which all parties joined. GROVER CLEVELAND. The inauguration of Grover Cleveland surpassed ail previous ones. For a week before Match 4th the two Washington depots were crowded with people night and day. It is estimated that i. 50.000 pc sons from other places were present. How to accommodate them had been one of tlio problems, -for the Inauguration Committee, who appointed several hundred men to make a canvass of the householders who had room to spare and would be willing to receivo one or more of the tourists. In spite of the procautions all the available space was occupied two days before t>'<* intVl.-o— >*ien. or,,]

the thousands who arrived on the 2d and 3d of March were left to shift for themselves. How they shifted is still matter oT amusement to the Washingtonians. They slept in hallways and cellars and in the public parks. The procession was simply enormous, occupying six hours in passing a given point. The President delivered his inaugural address in a clear, resonant voice, from memory, making only an Occasional reference to the notes in his hand, and then Chief Justice Waite administer sd the oath of office.

BRIEF HISTORY OF THE PRESIDENTS. >4O. | Name. I Stale. Dora. Died. Term of office. By'whom elected! 1. . George Washington Ivirginia 1732 1799 Two terms, 1789-1797 Whole people. 2.. Jobn Adams Massachusetts 173> 1820 One term, 1797-18J1 Federalists. 3.. Thomas J offer-on Virginia 1748 18.85 : Two terms, 1801-1809 Republicans. 4.. James Madison Virginia 1751 1838 |Two terms. 1819-1817 Republicans 5.. James Monroa Virginia 1753 1831 .Two terms, 1817-1825 All parties. 6. . John Quincy Adams Massachusetts 1707 1848 One term, 1825-1829. House of Representatives. 7.. Andrew Jackson. .Tonnes-ee 1707 1845 iTwo terms. 1829-1837 Democrats. 8. . Martin Van Buren New York 1782 18(52 Ono term, 1837-1841 Democrats. 9.. Wm. H. Harrison ...Ohio 1773 1841 lone month, 1841 ..Whigs. 10.. Jobn Ty er. Virginia 1790 18(52 3 vrs 11 mos, 1841-1845 Whigs. 11.. James K. Folk |Tenuessee 1795 1849 jOhe term, 1845-1849 Democrats. 12.. Zachary Taylor Louisiana..... 1784 1850 1 year 4 mos, 1849-1850 Whigs. 13.. Millard Fillmore New York .* 1800 1874 , 2 yrs 8 mos, 1850-1853 Whigs. 14.. Franklin Pierce INew Hampshire 1804 1869 One term. 18 3-1857 Democrats. 15.. Jamss Buchanan Pennsylvania 1791 1863 One term, 1857-1861 Democrats. 16.. Abraham Lincoln |lllinois 1809 1865 One term 1 month, 1861-1865 'Republicans. 17.. Andrew Johnson (Tennessee 1808 1875 |3 yrs 11 mos, 1865-1869 Republicans. 18.. Ulysses S. Grant Illinois 1822 1885 Two terms, (869-1877 Republicans. 19.. Rutherford B. Hayes Ohio 1822 One term. 1877-1881 Beiwolfcans. • 20.. James A. Garfield ..'Ohio 1831 1881 iG mos 15 days, 1881 Republicans. 21.. Coester A. Arthur 'New York 1830 1885 13 yrs 5 mos 15 dayß, 1881-1835 Republicans. 22.. Grover Cleveland New York 1837 One term, 1885-1889.... .• Democrats. 23.. Benjamin Harrison Onio 1833 One term, 1881 Republicans.

Our Presidents, from Washington to Harrison.

THE CAPITOL BUILDING.

THE WHITE HOUSE.