The New York Herald Newspaper, March 5, 1869, Page 3

PRESIDENT GRANT INAUGURATION CEREMONIES The National Capital in a Blaze of Glory. HALF A MILLION VISITORS. THE INAUCURAL ADDREAS, INAUGURATION BALL. WASHINGTON, March 4, 1869. What the Inanguration of Grant Means. Grant is inaugurated. This day that witnessed the event must be forever memorable in American hustory. And why it should be so—why this occa: sion, 80 full of splendid promise and surrougded by the brightest and happiest auguries of a new and grand departure by the nation under the guidance of its trusted leader should be great and memorable, the gentient and susceptible mind of the country will readily appreciate. 1t marks that point in the life of the republic where the heavy clouds of dismal doubt and gloomy foreboding that have haunted its young career were, it is to be hoped, forever dissipated and where the brilliant sun that will henceforth light ita pathway broke through the dark musts of political passion and illuminated a vista in the future of daz- zling and boundless proportions. The political anarchy of the past few years everybody felt was at an end and all ite cruel features never more to be repeated. No more, it is hoped, shall Congress and the Executive be placed im such unhappy antagonism, and no more sha’ the public mind, seeking for repose, be kept on ths rack of suspense by the revolutionary threateuings of po- litical leaders, The country Notth and South panted for rest, for the olden condition of quiet prosperity, for the cessation of the flerce clamor of political zealots; but in vain. When the fearful and san- guinary war of arms en4e/,@ still as fearfal war of words ensued, and thé por afflicted patient that had gone through four years of desperate trial was doomed to still further suffering. Grant alone, of all men, loomed up, a8 though a special Providence had decreed it, asthe great and sole physician to heal the nation’s woes, to bring order out of chaos, to restore the republic to the track which it had been originally destined to pursue—in short to become the leader of 40,000,000 of free people determined on working out the great problem of self-government, and of making this American continent the strongest, happiest, most compact, most enlightened and most liberty loving nation on the face of the globe. The eyes of the whole people turned iustinctively to Grant. They were sick and utterly weary of the contest between Johnson and Congress in which all the interests of the country suffered, and nothing was satisfied put the prejudices of impracticable politicians. They ‘Saw in Grant’s record enough to tell them that while he was an earnest patriot and a successful soldier he had the sense of discernment to view questions of national moment from the national standpoint, and look rather tothe good of the country than the in- terests of @ party. It was this feeling of conservative thought which, afterall, fules the country in the selection of its Chief Magistrate, that filled the minds of the multi tude that gathered under the shadow of the mighty dome to-flay and rent the air with their enthusiastic acciamations. Democrats and republicans alike felt the same spirit of generous confidence towards the man who took the oath of office in front of the Capitol. A silent and deep-seated sentiment ap- peared to animate all that under Grant the country enters upon @ career of empire and of material pros- perity that will know no bounds. It was this feeling that lay at the bottom of the popular exultation. In imagination each true American citizen saw the Alabama piracies avenged, the sick man of Mexico made well, Cuba drawn gently within the kindly fold of the Union, and the buttresses of the great republic firmly es- tablished in the tropical latitudes of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Above all, the people feit that onr internal troubles were at an end, that Grant would well and quickly see that ali the States in the Union were represented in fact as well as in name on the azure fleid of the flag, and that the bitter partisan spirit of the past few years would rapidly give way before the broad example of patriotic statesmanship in the person of our new Chief Magis- trate. To many in that vast concourse of upturned faces, eagerly directed towards the small, quiet form of General Grant, the reflection was irresisti- bie that the wildest dream of romance contained no more marveilous feature than the story of the man who was this day inaugurated. A few brief years ago utterly unknown outside a limited circle of obscure acquaintances, and to-day familiar beyond any living mortal to the people of the entire world, yet bearing all his thick and blushing honors with a quiet republican simplicity in even deeper contrast than the wonderful change in his fortunes. It was nowise strange, indeed, that the eager crowds should seek with pertinacious zeal to catch a giimpse of that immovable countenance which, next to George Washington’s, 1s most familiar to the house- holds of the land. From every Stace and Territory of the Union people had come to Washington for this great occasion, and all desired to carry away the living impression of the face whose counterfeit presentment they have been so much used of late to see, That ail were gratified would be extravagant to say, for never did such an assembiage group itself around the Capitol and Mi the vasigspace to its utmost limite, Very dif- ferent, indeed, was the first inauguration of Abra- ham Lincoln, when traitors filled the capital and the air was heavy with portenta of disunion and disas- ter; and different, too, from the second inauguration of the martyred President, when the fields of the South wore still fresh with the carnage of battie and the gloomy. sky overhead made an inauspicious omen of the tragedy that followed the ides of March. To day ali was buoyant hope and joy. Civil Wa? and Political passions were Songoten, w . The Influx of VisltoS At the Capital. How aay ‘People came to Washingtoh so quicbly Shd noiselessly 1s one of the marvels of mod- orn modes of travel. But three or four days pre- viously the city wore its normal look of sober dul- neas and scanty population. But suddenly its great thoroughfare—Pennaylvania avenue—became alive ‘with swarming crowds of unmistakable strangers; ‘the huge caravansertes called hotels bubbled over With boarders, and rooms everywhere advanced in attractiveness ata fabulous rate, This immediate infux of strangers dazzled the fancy of the entire fraternity of boarding house landiadies, of which this city has a piethoric stock. Rents went up after the manner of a balloon, and incredible became the stories of what Mra, Muggins charged and received from Mr. and Mrs. Jones for a nasty, ill-ventiiated, bon-carpeted back parlor and bedroom, Hundreds that came in by the evening train last evening found no place whereon to rest their weary heads, and had co content themselves by lounging in barrooms that recklessly braved the terrors of the Excise law and kept open house with back door en- trance throughout the night, The adventures of some of these late arrivals in hunting up rooms ‘would fill 4 volume, Away on the outskirts of the monsirous avenues of this city wretched and forlorn carpet-baggers might be seen looking vainly around for the welcome notice, “rooms to let’? and finally, in despair, diving into some antiq shanty where, from time fmmemo- rial, an old board inscribed with burnt cork an- nounced ‘boarding by the day or weed.” Hundreds Of houses not too proud to make profit out of the occasion terew open their doors to those be NEW YORK HERALD, eR cn, snce Been y rer Rens Bota Mas. llr OES Dec MARCH 5, 1869.—-TRIPLE SHEET. lated travellers whose purses were adequate to sustain @ heavy tax for the privilege. All who kept house and bad friends for visitors were com- peiled in the name of hogpitality to give them some kind of shelter, and.great, of course, were the make- shifts in this respect, great the contrivances of chairs and lounges and great the fun enjoyed amid these improvised accommodations. The billiard room of @ certain large hotel was turned into a sleeping apartment and monopolized by over two score gay and festive bachelors, whose eyelids seldom closed in sleep till the small hours of the morning. All over town it wasthe same way. Washington, like every other city, tries t0 make hay while the sun shines, and the appearance of the profitable lu- minary being of but very brief duration was an ad- ditional incentive to make the largest crop possi- ble, Dawning of the Great Day. The day of great expectations to the country opened at the national capital amid the hurry and bustle of eager sight-seers, who had started from their distant homes at the “blowing of the last horn,” and who were rushing excitedly througb the streets, carpet bag in hand, at the first blush of dawn, in search of a place to “tie up,” or foreven an unoccupied “roost.” There can be no exaggera- tion in saying that Washington has not been so flooded with strangers since its foundations were laid—not even during the grand army reviews—as it is to-day. The interest felt in the installation of the little General is of no ordinary character, and the intense anxiety of people from abroad to get a view of the man who now presides over the destinies of this great nation is beyond all comparison since the days when the illustrious Father of his Country took his seat in the Presidential chair. A Rainy, Disagreeable Morning. The preparations were of a character for making this day one to be remembered and talked about to the very last days of those who witnessed its cere- monies. Everybody was anxious that nothing should occurto mar the success of the arrange- ments, Committees, marshals, aids and their ofli- cials generally worked like beavers, in order that nothing that could conduce to the perfect success of the occasion should be neglected; but ‘‘man pro- poses and God disposes,” An agency beyond the reach of mortal control stepped in to blur the har- mony and briliiancy of the carefully developed pro- gramme. It need not be told how much of the splen- dor éclat ofgthe outdoor ‘Pyscane depends upoy the weather. Occasions of kind, when tens of thou- sands of expectant people, filled to the brim with anticipations of the liveliest gratification, send up their petitions for balmy weather and find them- selves grievously disappointed by a deciaedly ill témpered stgtm, only show us how impotent are the Prayers of a united multitude when offered up in be- half of self-indulgence. Morning broke gloomy, wet and dreary. The heavens were obscured by a dull Jeaden pall, the atmosphere was damp and chilly and the dull, monotonous pattering of the rain greeted the ears of those who awoke from their slumbers with thoughts bent on the day’s proceedings. As the early morning howrs wore on and straggling in- dividuals gaudily uniformed or glittering with re- galia made their way towards the designated ren- dezvous, it seemed as if they were struggling, uke Mark Tapley, to be jolly under adverse circum- stances, Tobe sure the drizzling rain dimmed the lustre of their polishéd decorations, soaked through the gay banners and flags and caused them to droop most piteously, crept into the brazen musical instruments and gave them a slight asthmathic weeze, stirred up the mud and soiled ths polished tops of shining boots and labored with spiteful zeal in every possible way to dampen the hiliarity of the paraders and mar the splendor of their elaborate decorations. Yet a heroic cheerfulness of demeanor generally prevailed. Everybody seemed firmly con- vinced that this was an occasion which could not be postponed on account of the weather. The Procession Forming. About ten o'clock the different organizations, mili- tary and civic, made their way towards Lafayette square, around which they were to form, and within the space of twenty minutes, so prompt were the marshals and commanding officers to the moment of assembling, that the streets surrounding Pres!- denv’s square were alive with hurrying crowds. At every opening to the view appeared some brilliant body of men, bristling with glittering steel or gorgeous with flaunting flags and banners, The strains of martial music struck upon the ear on every side, and the rushing of aids and orderlies, the cadenced tramp of troops, the rumbling of bat- teries of artillery, the shrill blasts of trumpets and bugles, the ringing belis of hose carriages and the frantic surging of the eager multitude, formed a combination of scenes and sounds such as linger long in the memory. Movements of General Grant in the Morning. While these organizations are marching and coun- termarching into position we will go back to an earlier hour in the morning and look in upon the modest little chief upon whose account all this pomp and pageantry is devised. The President elect arose this morning at his usual hour, enjoyed in calm and agreeable conversation with his numerous guests the time before the matutinal repast, took his break- fast and smoked his first cigar. No visitor, friendly or officious, called to consume his valuable time. The only person present not a guest in the General's house was Major General John A. Rawlins, Grant’s best and most confldential friend. About nine o’cloek the General retired to dress. This ceremony, always indiferently performed by the General, was on this occasion more carefully executed. Never- theless, it was finished up in an incredible short space of time, and the new President appeared, pre- senting a neater and glossier exterior than he was ever known to make before. His suit was entirely new, and consisted of black silk hat, black frock coat, vest and pantaloons, highly polished boots, black silk necktie and corn-colored kid gloves. Nota single ornament of jewelry appeared about his person, not even gold shirt buttons. His shirt bosom was fauitiessly white and liberally dis- played, but nothing giittered upon it brighter than agate buttons, Departure of the President Elect trom His Residence. At half-past ntue he sailied forth, accompanied by General Rawlings, and although a merry party of Jadies, gentiemen and children clustered at the door to bid him ‘God speed,” no one was observed to throw after him the lucky old shoe. The General and his Chief of Staif stepped into Grant's own carriage, anew park pheton, drawn by a pair of splendid bays, and driven by the sprucest of negro Phoebuses. After having taken his seat and puffed vigorously at his = cigar wo keep it lighted, the General drew over his knees a white fox skin. This skin has a history, which may as well be related here. it was presented to President Grant, some time ago, by Mra. McCook, the wife of E. M. McCook, Minister to the Sandwich isianas who had received several of them Alaski. Whek We Geeacnted tho akin ane Male a request that the President should use it on inaugu- ration day. Whether this promise was remembered by the President, or whether it was suggested to bis mind by the inclemeney of the weather, certain it is that he carried it with him in a very conspicuous neues The Scene at Army Headquarters. ‘Well, in the course of time the phacton arrived at Army Headquarters. The two generals alighted and entered the building. The crowd about headquar- ters was not very great, as nearly everybody that ‘was not tramping after bands of music was hasten- mg towards the Capitol. A few policemen were scattered about the pavement and one or two were on the portico. Drawn up in front of the house was Company K, Pifth United States cavalry, com manded by Brevet Colonel J. W. Kason. This company Was now become military orphans in OM@ @@nse And, Must remain so unless General Sherman stall prove to them a @tepfather. It has been General Grants bodyguard for the past five years and has ever since that time been on duty at Grants headquarters, We must return to the Gendral and see how he filied wp the time while waiting for the arrival of the committee. While looking at the cavalry troope the smiling Vice Prest- dent arrived, un and wnannounced, and passed up to Gi room. On looking into that woll known General Grant was seen seated in hie apmeohair somewhat stimy, owing to the fineness of his broad- cloth, smoking a cigar, Of the scent that Would linger about the: colored kids. He was conversing ‘Mr. Colfax and General Dent, Seated were also Generals - Badeau, Babcock and Dayton, of Sherman’s staff, and Colonel Parker. No other strangers were pre- sent, not even General Sherman. General Rawlins was engaged in an adjoining room, as also were General Porter and Colonels Leet ana Webster, All these gentlemen, members of Grant’s military family, Were attired with scrupulous exactness in undress uniforms—that is without cockade, epaulettes, swords and belts, At half-past ten two members of the Inauguration Committee—Admiral Bailey and Wil- Mam A. Cook—arrived. Soon after a cavalcade of regalized officials dashed up and ambled and cur- vetted to the admiration of the boys and citizens of African persuasion for a few minutes, when atten- tion was drawn away from their graceful gambols by the crowd exclaiming, “Here he comes, Here he comes.” En Route to the Capitol. General Grant and Mr. Colfax, followed by the officers of the General’s staff, then appeared and entered the carriages exactly at twenty minutes to eleven, The Vice President was dressed with great care in a full suit of black, pre cisely the same as Grant in every re spect, except that he wore @ great coat and was without gloves, General Grant and General Rawlins seated themselves in the phaeton and the two members of the committee with the staff oM- cers entered close carriages. Just as the General emerged from his headquarters a change occurred in the weather so sudden and so remarkable that it ‘was mentioned by many present as anomen. The dense clouds that up to that time had darkened the sky rolled apart and a flood of sunshine burst through. The appearance of the sun added fresh cheerfulness to every face, a8 it promised a fair conclusion to the day. Now everything was ready for the start. The command was given to the cavalry escort, “Atten- tion; draw sabres.” The signal march was blown by the buglers, the band struck up ‘Hail to the Chief,” the escort wheeled to the right by platoons, the drivers cracked their whips ; but something was wrong. The procession did not move. Every one inquired, “What's the matter?” The cause of the detention was discovered. General Grant wanted his umbrella. Two or three messengers rushed into the house after it. Half a dozen persons stepped up to the General and offered their umbrellas, but no, the General wanted his own, and the procession could not move without that umbreila, At length the Qpbrella was brought forth, and off went the cavairy, the platoon of officers, the carriages and the crowd. 4. Route of the Procession. The procession moved slowly along Seventeenth street to Pennsylvania avenue, and turned to the right. Here it was swelled by the addition of a body of mounted police, which wheeled into line in front of the cavalry, though General Alexander Webb, the Chief Marshal, retained his position at the head of the military. When the front of, the procession turned into the avenue the street was closely packed with people along the sidewalk. At every fifty yards a mounted police- man was stationed to keep.the crowd from passing over the curbstones. As the rush of the music-lov- ing, sight-seeing multitude was somewhat impetu- ous, and the pushing and squeezing was great in proportion, @ flue opporvunity was afforded theso flerce guardians of the law to show the weight of their authority as wellas that of their batons, and all those who were unlucky enough to be pushed into the street were either beaten back with their clubs or trampled down by their horses, When Grant’s carriage reached the west- ern gate to the White House grounds ‘ halt was called, and the General sal looking, with an imperturbable expression of countenance, at the building then on the eve of evacuation. In front of the Executive Mansion was posted Dupont’s light battery, A gun was unlim- bered and the gunner stood, lanyard in hand, wait- ing to fire the gun which was to be the signal to the whole city that President Johnson had entered his carriage—in other words, left the White House. A few minutes passed in silence, while all eyes were turned ‘toward the lofty Portal of the White House, eager to behold the ap- pearance of the outgoing President. But they looked in vain. Notice was given that the President ‘was too much engaged to join the procession. The word was given, the signal gun was fired and the procession once. more started, not to pause again until it reached the Capitol. Appearance of the Procession. Of-the procession itself, the organizations compos- ing it, their dresses, appearance, numbers, &c., something should be said. It was not like a New York turnout, whose thousands upon thousands swell the ranks, and the line extends mile after mile. It was not made up of numberless companies and regiments decorated in the richest uniforms and clothed with glittering regalia. There were not thousands, not even hundreds or dozens of banners, fags, scrolls or mottoes in the line. Butif it lacked themammoih proportions of your New York pageants, and was deficient in the charming variety and costliness that characterize the huge displays of your metropolis, it was certainly a remarkably well managed, well officered, orderly and respectable turnout for a city of the pretensions, size and ability of the national capital. The Military Organizations. The battalion of the Twelfth United States infantry turned out every available man and presented a re- markably fine appearance, notwithstanding they paraded in great coats. This preparation for foul ‘weather really proved an attractive feature in the procession, aa the great coats were light blue and gave a pleasing variety of color to the line. The battalion of United States marines made a very creditable show, as they always do, The men moved with precision and were uniformed with the most soldierly neatness. Their dark blue coats, with white belts and glistening brasses, formed a pleasing contrast with the light dress of the infantry. Dupont’s light battery rifled guns, which ‘was next In order, could not be exceeded in cleanness and good order. The uniform of each soldier fitted him to a nicety, These men wore dark blue jackets, trimmed with red flan- nel, and light blue pantaloons. The horses seemed in excellent condition, and the whole battery was so perfect that the most critical military eyejcould not note one defect. The Washington Grays, of Philadel- Phia, also looked extremely well, although few men wore in theranks. Their uniform, as their name indi- cates, is martial gray, relieved by pipeciayea belts and a profusion of glittering ornaments. The Third battalion of Maryland infantry atso attracted @ good faeal of attention by their neatness and soldierly bearing. The Philadelphia, Fire gZouaves, though, took all the obrilliancy from the other portions of the procession 69 thelr most gorgeoug uniforms. The predominance of scarlet, fifiazarin aes aud = white ~=made ap 0 very imposing 90d quite dazzling display. The pec ithe of open order marching and the manner of handling their pieces proved not the least attractive feature-of the Zouave battalion. ‘They paraded very strong, too, and, taken alto- gether, were probably the most imposing body of men in the military portion of the procession, The Lincoln and Butler Zouaves, gentlemen of color, likewise rejoiced in a liberal display of red, Taken as separate organizations they would have made a highly interesting appearance, for they were neatly and precisely dressed and marched well, but fol- lowing in the rear of Baxter's Scarlet Legion, they did not seem to draw forth many encomiums, unless the extravagant exclamations of delight that escaped from their colored tady ad- mirers be taken into account. The Albany Burgess’ Corps kept up the interest in the military part of the display until the very end, Although not very large, the corps was truly fine, regarded from a Martial point of view. Their huge bearskins loomed up Imposingly and gave them the appearance of very terrivie fellows for a hand to hand encounter. ‘The fire laddies from Philadelphia, as well as those belonging to Washington itself, attracted no incon- siderable share of favofabie observation. Scenes and Along the Line ot March. ‘The route ¢ procession was short, being simply along Pennsyivania avenue to the Capitol, passing around the southern side of the House of Representa- tives to the east front. The rain of the eariy part of morning bad made the thoroughfare muddy and pooly, but in other respects Washington's main artery was in splendid condition for the parade. No rati- Toad cars, carriages or other vehicles were allowed to mvade the route. Policemen were stationed at haiing distances all along, from the White House to . the Capitol, and kept the people lick SOUL EUS Dem ms AANA tana, MUbGadi fae ReGen SLOAN gh, Like SIA OA lems 0 goaiie pabeseonete,|eubius.geepein, acute wocatees|2am h Saayn «ua aaa from running beyond the curbs, 6o that aclear and unobstructed path might be assured to the pro- cessionists, The hotels, stores and private houses were covered with flags, The balconies snd win- dows were crowded with ladies, The roofs of houses were lined with more daring spectators, while the lamp posts and awnings afforded pointe of observa- tion to enterprising youngsters. Black and white held on tenaciously in positions that might teat the agility and muscle of professional acrobats. Ameri- can citizens of African descent swarmed the sidewalks and formed, by all odds, the most enthusiastic and delighted element of the lookers on. The sidewalks were packed with men, women and children as closely as herrings in & box. There was no moving about possible, When you got into the crowd you had to stick there resignedly until the whole show got toa termination. Though flags floated in abundance it was remarkable how few mottoes or inscriptions were to be seen on the houses. Along the entire extent of the rcute your correspondent only noticed one giving “Welcome to our new President; and others, in their words, “Hail to the Chief of a free nation,” and a third, re- peating Grant’s famous words, “Let us have peace.” As the procession moved on, however, there was no lack of enthusiaam. Each company, regiment and organization was greeted with loud shouts, and the hero of the day, President Grant, seated in his open barouche, was received with a perfect roar of de- light and exultation. Reception of President Grant by the Crowd. From the moment of jumping into his carriage until he reached the east part of the Capitol, his head, arms and hat were kept in constant use, bow- ing to the vast throng that greeted him with ap- Plause. Some of the spectators, apparently intoxi- cated with enthusiasm, frequently broke througn the barrier dividing them from the carriage contain- ing the little President, and sough to rush to his sido to shake him by the hand and give vent to their un- controllable ardor, But in all such cases the police, zealous and watchful, would interfere in the nick of time, collar the over zealous patriots and force them back to the outer rim of the spectators. President Grant viewed the extraordinary demonstrations in his honor witha very good natured smile, which afforded about the only external sign of excite- ment on his part. Few men placed in his Position could have comported themselves with the ‘wonderful coolness and self-poasession which he dis- played, though the object upon whom the greatest and freest nation of the world had bestowed the highest mark of its confidence, respect and affection; though smrrounded by ,appiaudifig hosts, and rée- minded at every step ‘of the procession that he (Grant) was the central figure of the grand display, still he sat quietly and collectedly in his carriage, and beyond the faint smile that played about his firm lips and the bowing which he was obligéd to do in acknowledgement of the unceasing plaudits, showed no evidence of emotion. Many a person in the vast throng wondered at this remarkable appearance of coolness and observed it aloud while Grant was passing before them, “That's the little man with the iron will,” exclaimed one; “Nobody is going to be President while Grant 18 at the White House but Grant himself, you may bet sure of that,” said another ‘He’s not the stuff to pe Sewardized or Stantonized, that’s certain,” uttered a third; “You may bet your pile on that,” put ina fourth; “The country wants a man who has the ability to be Presi- dent in reality as well as in name; he’s the man for the crisis; “God grant he may succeed,” and a hundred other like expressions might be heard issuing from the crowd. Arrival at the Capitol. But the procession went on. It passed Willard’s, with its thousand’s looking out of windows from bal- conies and roof; it has passed within sight of the hosts gathered about the Ebbit House, the New Yor« HERALD rooms and other offices on Newspaper row; it hag passed the Kirkwood, National, Metropolitan and all the leading poits along the route. It was at the west gate of the Capitol, and ina few more minutes was around at its halting point on the east front. At the west side a dense mass of people fol- lowed. The wide, open space, the Capitol grounds, Were choked up with shouting thousands, and a roar of applause rent the air that was altogether deafen- ing. The ‘procession went on, however, through all the vast crowds, and finally reached the east front of the Capitol at five minutes before noon. The cav- alry and infantry here deployed into the open espla- nade of the east front, and the carriage containing General Grant drew up at the foot of tne grand fight of marble stairs leading up to the Senate. The procession halted, the multitude cheered and Grant, stepping nimbly out of the open carriage, walked rapidly up amid an immense concourse of gayly dressed ladies standing on either projection of the portico all around the Senate wing. Peopie of every condition swarmed, some vainly striving to procure admission to the building, others on the qué vive to get a look at Grant and all Africa running after the Butler Zouaves and their flaming red con- tinuations. Grant passed straight into the ladies’ reception room, wheeled by the left and went directly to the Senate. Scenes in the Senate Chamber. Leaving Grant at this point of the day’s proceed- ings, let us fora few moments return to an early hour of the day to chronicle the closing hours of the Senate and the incidents that pre- ceded the inauguration of Vice President Col- fax and President Grant himself in the Capi- tol, Soon after nine o’clock a very considerable portion of the crowd which had overflowed the city began to make its way to the Capitol, so that by ten o'clock it was difficult to get near the entrance of the building. Most of these were sightseers, who went up thus early to secure positions for outside observation of the procession and crowd, but many were the fortunate holders of tickets giving admis- sion to the Senate Chamber. Through the door on the north entrance the families of Senators and members poured in a depse throng, escorted by both oMfcers and private citizens. It was pleasant to see how largely their families had been increased by the Divine blessing for this special occasion. Messrs, Anthony, Sumner, Nye and Chandler were among this throng escorting ladies. And here the progress was siow and the pressure tremendous. Much wit Sumner circulated free of charge. Mr. Nye delicately informed the ladies that an occasion had arrived which would test their squeezability. His prophecy was abundantly veri- fled, and pretty girls and Senatorial sinners were welded together in beautiful confusion. At the east door of the entrance to the Senate wing a similiar seene occurred, but the police arrangements were much better. The galleries were speedily filled, and by a PTE sa past ten o’clock hardly a vacant seat Was tb b6 seen. pict ‘ai of the Ladies. Whether from presguyg in getting in, or that fashious have changed, the ladies did pot cut the grand figure they did on the impeachment trial. The dresses were less striking and gorgeous; the notabilities were fewer; but as a sex they rallied in fall force. Though the beauty was less adorned, there was quite as much of it as on any previous occa- sion. Mrs, Colfax, Miss Mathews and Mra. Sprague were in the galleries, and Mrs, Senator Henderson jit up with her beauty the entrance to acloak room below; but generally the galleries were studded thickly with nobodies—persons utterly unknown to fame, and conspicuous chiefly by the knack in ob- taining seats for the day. ‘Thd™ diplomatic gallery was notably empty at the outset, but gradually filled up, Mr. Thornton, wife of the British Minister, and Mr. Samuel J. Tilden, of New York, being the only notabilities —s The Reporters’ Gallery. The reporters’ gallery overfowed with the usual crowd of country editors, always ready for these grand occasions, and was patronized for the nonce by Mr. Horace Greeley, with his white coat and va- riegated handkerchief. The arrangements for the accommodation of the press are always miserable, and to-day Was no exception. The attendants seemed to have no idea of theirduties, except imper- striking appearance, The ambition to cut a figure before such. gn audience was not wanting, but the efforts lacked power and effectiveness. Very few Senatora were present when Mr. Wade rapped to or- der, Mr, Fessenden sat wearing his usual composed look; Grimes looked worried, if not already dead; Nye was in @ merry mood, as usual; Mr. Sumner dis- ported ‘and aisquieted himself in'the most sensational nd self-conscious style; Morton looked worn and fatigued; Edmunds, with his hand to his head like Jonathan Edwards studying » sermon; Wilson moved about uneasily; Drake has sprung to his feet several times, as if on the war path; Williams, saturnine, sat picking his teeth, with an after breakfast style of countenance; Anthony cheerfully caresses his beard, and Mr. Stewart, fearful of being overlooked, comes to the front, and spreads his legs in full view of the ad- miring galleries, There was nothing in all this to excite the galleries, and the spectator took it coolly and quietly. Mr. Wade, however, called them to order, querulously, and admonished them that if they did not behave better, he would clear the gal- Jeries, whereupon Mr, Trumbull performed a part not laid down in the play bills by making a brief exhortation, addressed directly to the spectators above, apprising them of the precise condition of public business at that moment and the necessity for despatch. The aifaira of the nation were dull, however; few cared to follow | the routine of messages from the House, votes and idle motions. They were all looking at each other, won dering what this man, who that notability? Ben Butler came and spoke a moment tb Sumner, and then it was half-past ten o'clock, The Senate has falien, Mr. Backalew, Mr. Doolittle and Mr. Sher- man arrived, the latter promptly announcing it by making a motion. The séats to the rear of Senators began to get fillea—Admiral Goldsborongh sitting on asofain the corner; Judge Holt, with his gloomy countenance, near the main door, where, in a mo- ment, General Daniel Sickles entered, leaning on a crutch and standing on exhibition for some mo- ments. The yeas and nays were called, and Mr. Tipton’s voice was heard once more, sounding like the chirp of the unfortunate chicken as he went down the Irishman’s throat. Army officers began to arrive and sit behind the Senators’ desks, Mr. Fenton, of New York (the new Senator), A. T. Stewart and ex-Senator Cresswell, of Maryland, sat asa trioonthe back row of Senators’ desks, and Schenck popped in his head and showed himself only a moment at the Senate door. Mr. Wade cried out “Let the report be reported.” Hardly was this feat accomplished before Colonel Moore came in with an unimportant message from Andrew John- son. The leading officers of the army had now arrived and were sitting in a row together. There was General Hancock, the handsomest man in the Chamber this day. Next to him General George a. Thomas, with his fine, soldierly countenance; then Howard of the Bureau; then Terry, who quarrelled with the Virginians, large and portly; then Sherman, tall and soldierly nervous, who talked eargerly to his neighbor Meigs and others. Next to them as one noticed quite as much asany, or all indeed, Admiral Farra- gut talking to his neighbors as merry, apparently, asacricket. Atl these were in full uniform and were the subject of general observation. Mr. Dent, father-in-law to General Grant, with his prominent white beard, who passed easily for (Secretary Welles, was there. He sat on the left. Mr. Drake uttered a few words fiercely in a motion. Mr. Sum- ner made @ motion to call up a pet idea and was beaten, and then Garrett Davis made quite a sensa- tion by moving to take up the bill to repeal the civil tenure act. The motion failed by a large vote. The Senate was in no mood for dis- puted questions this morning. Members of the House of Representatives began to drop in, and some Senators took the opportunity to pick good seats to the left of the cnair, where shortly all of them were to go. It was now a quar- ter past eleven, and we had quite a lullin the pro- ceedings. There were no bills passed and no mo- tions made, The Senators began chatting together. There was a loud hum beneath and the galleries quickly caught the cue from the Conscript Fathers. The Senators all had made their way to the left of the chair, Buckalew and Hendricks in affectionate proximity to Edmunds andGrimes. Members found seats where they could, and then Mr. Sherman offered @ resolution to apprise the President of the United States that the Senate was ready to adjourn, if he ‘was, and this was agreed to. The crowd on the floor was then quite large. At the east door stood a big burly negro, black asthe ace of spades, with an umbrella in lis hand, said to be Bishop Simpson of some African army, bound for the happy land of Canaan. At the door to the west, exactly opposite, was the only female visible on the Senate floor, a she doctor in pants, with a vinegar cast of counte- nance, and ugly as original sin itself, and near the main door was observed Porter and Dahigren stand- ing up. Entrance of the Diplomatic Corps. It was near twelve then and in filed the Diplomatic Corps in truly splendid style, gotten up entirely re- gardiess of expense. Baron Gerolt, in white panta- loons and other uniform, led the way as the oldest member of the corps. Next came M. Berthemy, for France; then Signor Cherutl, the Itullan Minister, with his green sash and decorations, and next the handsome uniform of the British Embassy, heaaed by Mr. Thornton. The Turkish Minister, with his pronounced red cap which he would not take off; the Austrian Minister, m very elegant style, and the acting Russian in red and blue conspicuously wedded. All were there, ana the ladies who love brilliant costumes were in the seventh heaven of de- light accordingly. Arrival of the Justices of the Supreme Court and the President Elect, These were hardly seated before poured in the Justices of the Supreme Court, in their black gowns, and seated themselves on the right of the chair, im- mediately ia front of the diplomatic corps. Almost simultaneously General Grant's staff entered by the rear door of the Senate, and filed down the middle aisle to the rear of the desks, mingling with their military associates already there. And now all was ready. The scere and its accessories were com- plete, lacking one thing only, and that was soon supplied. Quietly and with dignity enterea the President elect, escorted by Senator Cragin, and took a seat in front of the Secretary's desk, immediately fronting the Jus- tices of the Supreme Court, crossed his leg, and ina moment was ag much composed as if an inaugura tion was to him an every day affair. Every eye was bent on him instantly, and then many glassea were moved around to see if they could espy the out- going President, Andrew Jonson. He, however, was not visible on the occasion, and people looked in vain, At the same time with Grant Vice Presi- dent Colfax entered, escorted by Senator McCreery, and sat by the right of ng Wade. The House of Representatives was annodticed and waiked in, with Mr. Speaker yy at their head and Clerk Mr. McPherson and Mr. Schenck near by. But there was room for only a few of them, and all that entered had to stand up in the middie aiste. ‘The Oath Administered to Mr. Colfax. In a clear, ringing voice Mr. Colfax announced his readiness to take the oath of office, and made his tasteful ‘address to the Senate. ie Wade peony in at once, and hy mye Speaker solemnly averred that he gave no or countenance ‘ane rebellion, and then Mr. Wade declared that the closing hour of the Fortteth Con- gress having arrived the Senate was adjourned with- out day. ‘Mr. Colfax at once, however, took Wade's piace ‘and called the new Senate to order. “The King ts dead; long live the King ” The new Senators ‘and those who begin new terms were each calied ‘and sworn into oMce by groups of three. Mr. Bayard, a very youthful Senator from Dela- ware, was sworn with Mr. Boreman, of West Virginia, and Mr. Buckingham, of Connecticut, ‘The notorious Brownlow was here called, but failed to show himself. Messrs. Carpenter, Casserly and Chandler and Edmunds were sworn together. There was general order during all this ceremony. Mr. Reuben K, Fenton’s name was called and he waiked up escorted by Senator Conkling, the latter exhi- biting the most elaborate deportment and handsome broadcloth to grace the occasion. Mrf Pratt, of In- diana, was sworn in @ new Senator. we had the celebrated Carl Schurz, now of Missouri, led up by Drake; Jotin Scott, of Penvayivania, escorted by Cameron; Ramsey and Spraque—the latter with nonitively no body to look after him. Mr, Stewart, 7 the diplomatic corps, who were true to the proprie- ttes all through, Procession to the East Front. ‘The procession, so called, as formed—first the Jus- tices of the Supreme Court; then Grant, escorted by Cragin and the Committee of Arrangements; next togo. Ina twinkling of aneye the hall was cleared of its brilliant grouping, save a few reporters and faith- ful ladies who, in the spirit of a Madonna, wished ‘to catch the last aroma of the Fortieth Congress. The members of the House of Representatives who had been standing in double file partly insice and partly outside the Senate Chamber turned right aboat face and marched with slow and measured steps in the direction of the rotunda, where all was silent as the grave, every door being barred and grim sentinels standing guard at each. In the rotundaa halt for five or six minutes occurred to await the appear- ance of Speaker Blaine, and when that gentleman came and speedily placed himself, at the bead of the column the big doors on the east front flew open, and the legislative host emerged on the broad portico, descended the steps and tumbled pell mell over two score rows of cane-bottomed chairs with an absence of dignity quite novel and amusing to behold. On the Portico. The platform consisted of a projection of boards from the first fight of steps in the centre of the Capitol, in the shape of @ half hexagon, and capable of accommodating perhaps 300 persons. It stood twelve or thirteen feet from the ground and was draped in Union flags, outside of which a heavy coil of evergreens was festooned, and between two of the central pillars of the por- tico above a couple of flags were arranged in canopy form, presenting quite an artistic appearance. Chairs were placed in rows at either side of the Platform, leaving an aisle in the centre for the people to pdss down. Now, if the members of the House of Representatives—all fine and genial gen- tlemen—had observed this arrangement and pro- ceeded two deep along the avenue between the cane bottomed chairs and taken their seats in rotation no confusion could possibly have occurred, and the good intentions of the Committee of Arrangements would have been realized. But ‘the moment the head of the column descended the steps it was observed that what might be called the proscenium seats, or those in front, were decidedly the most de- sirable for seeing, and especially for hearing Grant. Theretore it was that the discipline of the march was at once broken, and a most laughable scramble took place for the coveted position in front. To add to the fun and confusion half a dozen extensively dressed ladies got into the aisle heretofore mentioned and utterly blocked up the only passage left. There was no help for it, for it had to break clear over the serried ranks of chairs, regardless of tender shinbones or distended paunches, The charge was made in gallant style. Broomail, Schenck, Farnsworth and three or four others leading the way, accompanied by several daring newspaper men, who knocked the obstruc- tions aside with reckless bravery. The long limbs of Farnsworth became entangled in the continua- tions of a seat he was making for with desperate energy, and being close pressed by Schenck, whose ways and means of getting comfort- ably accommodated looked decidedly favorable, he stumbled fearfully and raised a terrible commotion among the furniture. Of course all was good humor and high exhilaration of epir- ita. Everybody aftera while had a seat to himself, for @ liberal supply was at hand. But there was no greater demoralization in tne original design visible than in the Senators, who dis- tributed themselves everywhere. Some managed to get a stray seat directly behind Grant, for which they looked supremely thankful and contented. The Judges of the Supreme Court, all portly dignitaries, came with stately tread, and were accommodated with seats at the left hand side of the platform, directly in front. They wore their silken robes, and were certainly an impressive appendage of the scene. The glittering crowd of foreign ministers followed and perched themselves on the projection flanking the steps. They were seen far and wide, with ali their lace, cocked hats and other curious ornaments. ‘The statuary at either side, which might have been the better for being well scrubbed with soap and water, had a cluster of spectators holding on to their salient projections. Ohristopher Colum- bus—with outstretched arm, poising a globe in his hand, irresistibly reminding one of a pitcher in a game of base bali, especially when the eye is direct- ed across the way to Greenough’s statue of Wash- ington, with his arm elevated in the posture of a catcher—was surrounded by more admirers than he ever possessed while in the flesh. All across the back of the platform, up the stairs, between the pil- lars and on all the abutments were the spectators who were privileged per ticket from Sergeant Brown to occupy seats in the Senate chamber. Away upto the dizzy dome, and directly under the mighty metal goddess of Liberty, heads were peering down on the platform beneath. Out on the roof of House and Senate dark clusters rapidly assembled, while every window bearing on the scene was \ thrown open and eagerly occupied. On the green square beyond a vast mass of people congre- gated, and every tree with a capable and sustaining branch had some member of the great African family perched titereon. The vast oblong space in front of the Capitol was occupied by the picturesque columns of the procession, the van of which drew up in Jong and glittering lines facing the platform, and made a gay and gallant show. On the outskirts of this square, on the broad innumerabie steps ascending to the House and Senate, on the far roofs of private dwellings, on the tops of street cars and other vehicles, and scattered promiscuously in all sorts of places, were the great and sovereign people. About @ hundred paces away from the platform a framework was erected supporting an enormous cawera of Brady’s, which was levelled like a piece of artulery on the scene of inauguration and, no doubt, took everybody in. Taking the Oath of Office. At half-past twelve General Grant made his ap- pearance amid a burst of reverberating applause. He came with light and easygstep to the front of the piatform. looking calmly, sertous and perfectly com- posed. He sat down for a few moments, and then another cheer went up, again and again repeated. He rose and bowed his thanks for the popular com- piiment. Chief Justice Chase then came forward while Sergeant-at-Arms Brown held forth the Bibie, and General Grant turning squarely around looked the Chief Justice in the tace, while with one hand on the sacred volume he listened with serious attention to the recital of the oath of office, and at its conclusion reverentially kissed the book. Then the cannon in ‘The adjacent square boomed forth its twenty-one rounds. and the lusty cheers of the people went up in ever-increasing volumes. ,The bands struck in with stirring music, the fire belis tolled, and through the leaden sky @ bright beam again broke and gleamed with cheerful light across the sea of faces 1m the square below. Grant sat down and seemed Chase; on his right the Sergeant-at-Arms of the Sen- ate, He spoke just a few words to the Chief Jus- tice, while bis eyes were fixed on the cloud up from the uproarious tainly demonstration at an end. It ended at length, and when it did Presta Grant érove, ad his hand tn his breast pocket with a sad gravity of expression in his countenance and pulled forth his. dress, written on eight or ten pages Every volce was instantly hushed on and Senators and Representatives whose ears long tingied to hear the silent man of clare his policy drew their @ little tened with profound ‘The | ame at once & most decided nuisance. the victaity of the President could dftinctiv, CONTINUED ON TENTH PAIR