In consequence of the long-drawn bitter controversy, the result of which was communicated to Governor Hayes en route to Washington from Columbus, the inauguration festivities were lacking in many of the usual spectacular features and much of the customary jubilation of the quadrennial ceremony, and were reduced to the simplest of public installations.
MRS. LUCY WEBB HAYES
The Huntington Portrait, 1881, presented
to the White House by the Women’s Christian
Temperance Union.
RUTHERFORD BIRCHARD HAYES
Storm centre of an after-election contest
which kept him in suspense until his inauguration
in 1877.
The fact that the 4th of March fell upon Sunday added somewhat to the perturbed state of the official mind as to whether or not the oath should be taken on Saturday, March 3d, or Monday, March 5th. The anxiety lest something unpleasant transpire as an aftermath of the contest was present in many minds. President Grant decided to have Governor Hayes sworn in as quickly as possible—and on March 3d. A farewell dinner had been arranged at the Executive Mansion on the evening of March 3d, to which he invited Governor and Mrs. Hayes. Before the guests assembled for this function, President Grant conferred with Chief Justice Waite and a small group gathered in the Red Room, where Rutherford Hayes was formally sworn. The fact that Hayes was duly vested with the powers of Chief Magistrate was not even announced to the guests at the dinner or known to any outside the group participating until after the second and public ceremony of Monday, March 5th.
Monday dawned cold and rainy, but cleared by noon; and although so much uncertainty had hung over the results of the recent sitting of the electoral commission, the city was packed with a great inauguration throng, thirty thousand being estimated as the number of visitors. The entire route of the procession was magnificently decorated, and vociferous cheering and shouting greeted President Hayes throughout the drive to and from the Capitol.
Mrs. Grant had put the mansion in perfect order, provided a day’s supply of food so that the new First Lady need not concern herself with a menu for dinner and breakfast, supervised the removal of her own effects then, as their hostess, she awaited the return of the new President and his wife, to preside for the last time over the elaborate luncheon, to which she had invited as many of the official family as possible. After the meal, which was made most jolly and informal, General and Mrs. Grant went to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton Fish, where they remained for several weeks completing preparations for their trip abroad.