Yesterdays in Washington by Mary Smith Lockwood

Author:Mary Smith Lockwood [Lockwood, Mary Smith]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Geschichte
Publisher: Jazzybee Verlag
Published: 2019-05-19T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER XXXIV. GROVER CLEVELAND—BENJAMIN HARRISON.

Stephen Grover Cleveland, our twenty-second President (1885-1889), was the first Democratic President in twenty-four years.

The quarter of a century in which the Republicans had managed the "ship of state" was the most important period in the history of the Republic since George III announced to the English Parliament the independence of the United States.

Wednesday, March 4, 1885, was an ideal day for the ceremonies of an Inaugural. It was as warm and balmy as a May day. There were many faces seen on the streets and in hotel corridors that had not been seen for a quarter of a century. The capacity of the city had never before been so strained in caring for the large influx of visitors.

Senators Sherman and Ransom, of the Committee of Arrangements, called at the Arlington Hotel and escorted the President-elect to the White House. Marshall McMichael, after formally presenting the President-elect to President Arthur, assigned them to carriages, and the line of march soon began.

The same routine of ceremonies was gone through that always characterizes Inauguration day at the Capitol.

As soon as the oath had been taken and the Inaugural address delivered and Grover Cleveland was announced President of the United States, the Presidential party passed by the way of the Senate wing to their carriages and took the head of the column. For six long hours the procession continued to move.

It is impossible to describe the various organizations that marched in the procession. The cities of the whole country had sent picked men to represent them in the great National display.

One of the unusual sights was General Fitzhugh Lee commanding a division. His horse was caparisoned with the saddle and accouterments of General Robert E. Lee, which he had used while General of the armies of the Southern Confederacy. Wherever he made his appearance along the line the cheers were deafening, which came from those who for twenty-four years had taken no part in the Inaugural festivities.

The exact good taste of carrying the Confederate uniforms and trappings into such an opposite existence is still questioned.

It was called "Cleveland luck" that brought such a beautiful day out of March. It was dark, and the procession was still moving; many left the streets before the end came, for there was the Ball in the evening.

This Inaugural Ball was held in the Pension Office.

At one time more than 8,000 people were present, while thousands more awaited the opportunity of entering the gorgeously-decorated hall.

President Cleveland entered the building at 10 o'clock. The assembly remained long after midnight.

The decorations were not disturbed the next day, that the people who were present at the Capitol might have an opportunity to see the splendid display.

With the closing of the Ball ended one of the most spectacular Inaugurals in the history of the country.

President Cleveland entered upon his official and social duties as a bachelor. His sister, Rose Elizabeth Cleveland, for a time dispensed the hospitalities of the White House. With dignity and affability she socially met the public.

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