|
|
|
|
( Originally Published 1910 ) MR. TAFT was inaugurated as President of the United States in succession to President Roosevelt on March 4th, under remarkable weather conditions. Communication between Washington and the rest of the country was cut off by a snow blizzard, accompanied by violent thunder and lightning. Thousands of excursionists were thus prevented from reaching the capital to witness the ceremony. Mr. Taft greeted Mr. Roosevelt at breakfast with the exclamation, " Even the elements protest against my succession " ; to which his host replied, " The blizzard is on my account. There has to be something stirring up to the last moment of my administration ! " Mr. Taft's induction was the same simple ceremony which was devised in early days. He swore to uphold and defend the Constitution, to enforce all laws, and to protect the Republic against all enemies, both foreign and domestic. Mr. Taft delivered his inaugural address in abbreviated form. When he had concluded Mr. Roosevelt greeted him cordially, and the ex-President then left the Chamber amid great applause. Two minutes later Mr. Taft departed, with the crowd still cheering, and was escorted to his waiting carriage outside the Senate, being there joined by Mrs. Taft and by Vice-President and Mrs. Sherman for the return journey to the White House. |
The Wonderful Year Of 1909: Wonderful Year 1909 - January Old Age Pensions The Messina Earthquake Wireless Telegraphy The King's State Visit To Berlin The Gettysburg Address The Revolution In Turkey The Annual Cost Of The World's Great Navies The United States Presidency Charles Darwin Read More Articles About: The Wonderful Year Of 1909 |