THE GARFIELD INAUGURATION.
The inauguration of James Abram Garfield as the twentieth President
of the United States was a grand historical pageant, although its
effect was marred by the chilly, snowy, and wet weather. All the
night previous the shrill blasts of the storm-king were varied by
the whistles of the locomotives and steamboats, which were bringing
thousands from the North, the West, and the South. Drenched and
draggled people perambulated Pennsylvania Avenue and the adjacent
streets, while occasional memories of the war would be revived as
a well-equipped regiment or company with its full brass band would
march past to its quarters. The hotels were emphatically full,
and the last comers were glad to be able to secure one of the
hundreds of cots made up in the parlors. Many swarmed into the
theatres, the concert halls, or the Capitol, yet there was no
drunkenness or rowdyism, but every on appeared to take a Mark Tapley-
like view of the storm, and be as jolly as was possible under the
circumstances.
Long before the morning guns boomed from the Arsenal and the Navy
Yard, thousands of noses flattened against window-glass in the
anxiety of the owners to see if the heavens were propitious; but
there was no sign of sunshine. As the day advanced there were some
bright streaks in the dull gray of the leaden sky, and the excellence
of concrete pavements was shown, as they were free from mud, and
the slosh was soon trodden into water, which ran off in the gutters.
The flags, which had clung to the staffs, began to dry and flutter
in the breeze. Nearly every house was decked with bunting, while
upon many the most artistic designs of decorative art were displayed.
Upon the broad sidewalks of Pennsylvania Avenue a living tide of
humanity--men, women, and children--flowed toward the Capitol,
pausing now and then to gaze at some passing regiment or political
association.
General Sherman, who was Chief Marshal, had made such arrangements
that the procession moved with the precision of clock-work when
the signal gun was fired. The escort was composed of twelve
companies of regular artillery, armed and equipped as infantry,
with six companies of marines. Then came President Hayes and
President-elect Garfield, with Senators Bayard and Anthony of the
Senate Committee, in a four-horse carriage, with the Columbia
Commandery of Knights Templar, of which General Garfield was a
member, as a guard of honor. General Arthur, escorted by Senator
Pendleton, followed in a four-horse carriage. After them marched
the well-drilled battalion of Cleveland Grays, the Utica Veterans,
in their Continental uniforms; the Utica Citizens' Corps, the
Maryland Fifth, the Boston Fusileers, a company of Pennsylvania
volunteers, the Grand Army, the naval cadets, the local militia
companies, the Signal Corps, and a colored pioneer club.
As the carriages passed down Pennsylvania Avenue to the Capitol,
the occupants were greeted with continuous cheers. General Garfield
looked somewhat jaded, but doffed his stovepipe hat in response to
the shouts, and bowed to the right and left. The crowd all along
the line was dense, and it was with difficulty that it could be
kept back to make way for the procession. The house windows were
all occupied, and presented a varied scene of beautiful women,
staid men, fluttering handkerchiefs, uplifted hats, and bright
bunting. An armed guard had been posted about the Capitol, and it
gave mortal offense to some of the Representatives who tried to
force their way in.
As the Senate Chamber is the scene of the swearing in of the Vice-
President, and as the galleries hold only about twelve hundred
persons, the tickets were in great demand. When the doors were
opened at half-past ten there was a rush made for the front seats,
and the entire galleries were soon filled. A large majority of
the occupants were ladies, fashionably dressed, whose moving fans
gave animation to the general effect.
Mrs. Hayes escorted General Garfield's venerable mother and Mrs.
Garfield to the gallery seats reserved for them. Mrs. Hayes wore
a magnificent sealskin dolman and a black brocaded silk dress, with
a white uncut velvet bonnet and ostrich feathers. She carried a
bouquet of lilies of the valley. "Mother Garfield," as she was
familiarly called, was a white-haired, venerable-looking lady, who
wore on that day a black silk bonnet, a black silk dress, and a
silk cloak trimmed with a band of silver fox fur. Mrs. General
Garfield wore a suit of dark green velvet trimmed with chenille
fringe, and a bonnet to match. She carried a bunch of roses. Miss
Mollie Garfield wore a plum-colored woolen suit trimmed with plush,
and a broad-brimmed gypsy hat, tied down over her ears. Miss Fannie
Hayes wore a purple plush suit striped with yellow, and a white
felt hat. Officials entitled to admission on the floor of the
Senate began to make their appearance and to occupy the vacant
chairs, the Senators having doubled up on one side of the Chamber.
When General Hancock, the "superb soldier," entered in full uniform,
escorted by Senator Blaine, he was greeted with applause, which
continued as he passed around the rear of the Democratic seats to
the main aisle, the Senators all being seated on the Republican
side. For a few minutes he held a sort of general levee, and was
then escorted to a seat in front of and left of the Vice-President,
being again greeted with applause. General Sheridan, when he
entered, was also applauded. The two Generals sat side by side
and each was accompanied by his staff. Sir Edward Thornton headed
the Diplomatic Corps, which came in a body, nearly all wearing the
resplendent court dresses of their respective nations, and decked
with their ribbons, stars, and other insignia of knighthood.
The President of the United States was announced, and all rose as
Mr. Hayes entered, escorting General Garfield. The General wore
a suit of black cloth, with a black neck-tie, over which his collar
was turned down. They were shown to seats in the centre of the
Chamber. Mr. Wheeler presented Mr. Arthur, who made a well-worded
speech, and was then sworn in by Mr. Wheeler, who in turn made a
few remarks, alluding to the good feeling that had always been
shown toward him and returning his thanks therefor. His last
official act was performed in declaring the Senate of the Forty-
sixth Congress adjourned _sine die_.
Speaker Randall then entered, followed by the Representatives, who
filled up what vacant room remained. The Chaplain invoked the
blessings of Divine Providence upon the incoming Administration,
and asked that prosperity, health, and happiness might attend those
whose connection with the Government had ceased. While this prayer
was being offered both Mr. Hayes and Mr. Garfield rose and remained
standing. President Hayes' proclamation convening a special session
of the Senate was read by the Secretary. The roll of the new Senate
was then called, and the newly elected Senators were sworn in.
Announcement was made that the Senate, the Supreme Court, and the
invited spectators would proceed to the east portico of the Capitol
to participate in the ceremonies of the inauguration. The greater
portion of those in the Senate Chamber, however, did not wait, but
started in a most undignified manner for the platform.
This was erected over the lower flight of steps leading up into
the eastern portico. In the front and centre was a raised stage,
on which was the chair once used by Washington. General Garfield
occupied this seat of honor, with President Hayes on his right and
Chief Justice Waite on his left.
It was an impressive scene. Behind, as a background, rose the
Capitol in its sublime grandeur and with its many memories; all
around were the dignitaries of the country, with many ladies, whose
ribbons and flowers gave brilliancy to the scene; and in front was
an immense sea of upturned faces with lines of bristling bayonets,
flags, plumes, and bright uniforms. When silence had been secured
General Garfield rose, took off his overcoat, advanced to the front
of the stand, and delivered his inaugural address in clear tones
and with ringing accents. His face was stronger in those traits
that indicate mental power than in classical outlines, and the
likeness between him and his mother was noticeable as the evidently
delighted old lady sat listening to him. She was the first mother
who had heard her son deliver his inaugural as President of the
United States. When General Garfield had concluded and the applause
had somewhat subsided, the Chief Justice advanced toward him, and
the two stood facing each other. The Chief Justice then administered
the prescribed oath, which was reverentially taken, and then
President Garfield received the plaudits of the people. While the
inaugural was being delivered the sun had shone brightly. President
Garfield's first act was to kiss his mother and his wife. He then
received the congratulations of those around him, and after waiting
a few moments for this purpose, was escorted again to his carriage,
which was driven to the reviewing stand in front of the White House.
Here General Garfield witnessed the long procession pass in review,
the bands playing patriotic airs and the officers saluting. The
excellent marching and well-dressed ranks of the passing military
was the theme of great praise from the prominent officers and
distinguished civilians before whom they passed, and the thousands
of spectators who occupied the stands and sidewalks opposite
applauded often and loudly. Division after division, brigade after
brigade, regiment after regiment, company after company, marched
proudly past, forming the finest military display ever witnessed
at Washington since the great war reviews, "when Johnny came marching
home." Pennsylvania contributed the largest body of troops. The
New York Ninth, although late to arrive, was much complimented,
and so was the Maryland Fifth; the Boston Fusileers also attracted
marked attention. General Sherman was proud of his procession,
and he had reason to be. The numerous military commands and civil
organizations, the excellent bands, the prancing steeds, the waving
plumes and flags, the bright swords and bayonets, and the public
spirit which animated the long array, all combined to render the
scene a stirring one. It was five o'clock before the military had
all passed the reviewing stand, and some of the political organizations
which had to leave Washington did not pass in review. Going from
the reviewing stand to the White House, President Garfield was
welcomed by his aged mother and his family. He then lunched with
Mr. and Mrs. Hayes, who soon afterward left for Secretary Sherman's,
where they passed the night.
It was fortunate for those who wished to indulge in the time-honored
custom of dancing at an inauguration ball that the Government had
just completed an immense building for a national museum, which
was fitted up for the occasion. Wooden floors were laid by the
acre and carefully waxed, and the building was simply yet tastefully
decorated. A heroic statue of "Liberty," which stood in the central
rotunda of the building, holding aloft a beacon torch, was the
first object that struck the visitors on entering. Flags were
lavishly displayed, and the high, arched ceiling was almost hidden
by a network of evergreens and flowers.
President and Mrs. Garfield arrived at the building about nine
o'clock and were received by the Committee, Hon. George Bancroft
escorting the President. Mrs. Garfield was dressed with great
taste. She wore a dress of light heliotrope satin, elaborately
trimmed with point lace, a cluster of pansies at her neck, and no
jewelry. Mrs. Hayes, who was escorted by Hon. John Alley, wore a
cream-colored satin dress trimmed with ermine.
The supper was served in a temporarily constructed "annex," where
preparations were made for seating five hundred persons at a time.
The caterer provided fifteen hundred pounds of turkey, one hundred
gallons of oysters, fifty hams, three hundred and fifty pounds of
butter, seven hundred loaves of bread, two thousand biscuits, one
thousand rolls, two hundred gallons of chicken salad, fifteen
thousand cakes, one hundred and fifty gallons of ice-cream, fifty
gallons of jelly, fifty gallons of water ices, two hundred and
fifty gallons of coffee, and other delicacies in proportion.
[Facsimile]
J.A.Garfield
JAMES ABRAM GARFIELD was born at Orange, Ohio, November 19th, 1831;
served in the Union Army as Colonel, Brigadier-General, and Major-
General, 1861-1863; was a Representative from Ohio, 1863-1881; was
President of the United States from March 4th, 1881, until having
been assassinated on the morning of Saturday, July 2d, he, after
weary weeks of torture, died at Elberton, N. J., on the seashore,
September 19th, 1881.