In the White House

His Inauguration, March 4, 1881—Snow Storm—Crowd of Visitors—His Fame—Meeting with Twenty of his Classmates the Night Before—Speech of Mr. Garfield—A Hundred Thousand People Present—Large Number of Dignitaries—Preparations at the White House—Moving to the Capitol—An Imposing Scene— Scene in the Senate Chamber—Diplomatic Corps—Proceeding to Platform at the East Front—Inaugural Address—Kisses the Bible, His Aged Mother, and Wife—Grand Military and Civic Display —Description by an Eye-witness—Reviewed by the President— His Reception to the Williams College Alumni—The Joyful Evening —His Administration Auspiciously Begun—Embarrassed by a Democratic Congress—Opposition of Senator Conkling and its Results—The People with the President—Contest in the New York Legislature—The President Sustained

The Fourth of March, 1881—the day of the inauguration of General Garfield as President of the United States—will be remembered for its bleak, uncomfortable, stormy morning, threatening to spoil the preparations for a grand military and civic display. About ten o’clock, however, the storm subsided, and the clouds partially broke. The city was crowded with visitors from different sections of the country, among them many civic organizations and military companies which had come to join in the procession. The wide- spread interest in the occasion was due to the fame of the President-elect and the era of good feeling that succeeded his election. Not only his personal friends, but many others in every part of the land, exerted themselves to make the occasion memorable beyond all similar demonstrations. General Garfield’s college classmates were there, to the number of twenty, to congratulate him upon his remarkable public career.

The ceremony of inauguration was arranged for twelve o’clock, noon. Before that hour arrived, more than a hundred thousand people thronged the streets of the city to witness the unusual display. Every State of the Union was represented in the seething multitude ; and hundreds of public men were present—senators, representatives, governors, judges, lawyers, clergymen, and authors. A large number of veterans of the late war were there to honour their beloved comrade of other days who was going up higher.

The ceremony was to take place at the Capitol, and preparations were made at the White House, whence the presidential party would be escorted.

At half-past ten o’clock a chorus of bugles announced the arrival of President Hayes and President-elect Garfield from the hotel, who were received in the ante-room by Mr. Pendleton, and for a brief moment the ladies and gentlemen and other invited friends in the House greeted each other in the red room. Col. Casey then announced that everything was ready, and assigned the party to carriages. As they passed down the avenue they were greeted with cheers and waving of handkerchiefs from the assembled thousands, who, by this time, lined every avenue from end to end.

At the Capitol an imposing scene was presented. After the presidential party had filed into the Senate- chamber, the gorgeous diplomatic corps, headed by Sir Edward Thornton, preceded by Secretary Evarts, entered and occupied the best seats on the right of the Vice-President. All the legations in Washington were represented. All appeared in court dress, except the Mexican and Chilian legations, who were in evening costume.

The Supreme Court then appeared in robes, and took front seats reserved for it.

The procession was formed, with President Hayes and President-elect Garfield at the head, and proceeded through the corridor and rotunda to the east front, where the platform was erected from which the vast assemblage would listen to the inaugural address. When the dignitaries with their families were finally arranged, silence was maintained for a few moments, that the group might be photographed. Then Mr. Garfield stepped to the front and delivered his noble inaugural address, in tones so clear and eloquent that the multitude, even in the distance, heard. Before he closed his address the clouds broke above him, and pure sunlight fell in benediction upon his head. As he concluded, Judge Waite, of the Supreme Court, presented the Bible to him on which the Presidents are sworn, and proceeded to administer the oath. At the conclusion, President Garfield reverently kissed the sacred volume, and returned it to the