Obama's Train Chugging On To Washington

Obama's "Whistle-Stop Tour" does sound quaint and historically nostalgic, but we know the event to end all events will have Washington literally bursting at the seams unlike anything ever witnessed for an inaugural event. Diane Feinstine seems to be a little perplexed in trying to describe to us what to expect. Rep.Eleanor Holmes,(D) Washington,D.C. has requested an extra 15 million from Congress to help cover costs.  That's an extra 15 million that Congress has authorized for all of D.C.'s events for the entire year of 2009.  Oh well what the heck.

Supposedly, inaugural events got bigger over time as the country grew and prospered.  During hard economical times, they weren't so extravagant. Originally, our fore-fathers were a little self-conscious about class distinctions and any semblance to Europe's regals.

George Washington took the oath in New York City, ate alone that night. Poor Martha was still running behind trying to get there from Mount Vernon. Not much different for John Adams either. Abigail was away and he ate alone and retired to a boarding house. We all know that Jefferson was more convivial and partied with about 30 people, but he too stayed at a boarding house.

The most exciting one we read about in our history books was the inaugural events of Andrew Jackson. That was the first president elected by the bitter people of the rural south and west (west as in Kentucky and Tennessee).  All of his rowdy friends attended, and to get them to leave after celebrating all night, staff had to drag out tubs of icecream, lemonade, and wine onto the White House lawn.

Proof that the ancestors of our present day media even lied in 1861:

By the time we get to Lincoln things are a little bit more festive, but still not "cool". Here's what one historical account has documented:  Upon Lincoln’s closing words, wizened 81-year-old Chief Justice Roger Taney lifted Carroll’s Bible in shaking hands as Lincoln swore to support and defend the Constitution. General Scott’s cannon fired 21 booming blanks and the inauguration ceremony was abruptly over.

A post-inaugural parade proceeded down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House for a reception. The highlight of the procession was a red, white and blue float drawn by four white horses and sponsored by the local Republican Association, which carried 34 pretty young women in white gowns, representing each of the states of the union. At the White House, French introduced the new president. According to French’s daily journal, a charmed Lincoln asked “to be allowed to kiss them all, and he did so,” to much applause. Several newspapers reported the kisses, but Carl Sandburg, esteemed Lincoln biographer, commented that the story “made interesting reading but was neither true nor important.” 

http://sonomasun.thmm.com/?p=6319

 

Earlier, we wrote about Roosevelt and his pound-cake. There is more to the story in that Roosevelt really wanted to serve chicken a' la king, but Nesbitt complained there was no way she could keep it hot for 2000 guests. Instead Franklin served a rations-styled feast of cold chicken salad, rolls without butter,pound cake,punch, coffee with no sugar. To make matters worse, most of the chicken salad was spoiled and had to be thrown out. No exaggeration.

We will see the big change in inaugurations this year with Obama. CNN reports the following: On Sunday afternoon, Obama will help launch a star-studded free event at the Lincoln Memorial, which will be broadcast live on HBO and other cable and satellite providers.

Musical performers, according to the inaugural committee, include: Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Bono, Garth Brooks, Sheryl Crow, Renee Fleming, Josh Groban, Herbie Hancock, Heather Headley, John Legend, Jennifer Nettles, John Mellencamp, Usher, Shakira, Bruce Springsteen, James Taylor, will.i.am and Stevie Wonder. End Quote

No doubt this is an historical event,and one that we hope embraces all Americans and that there is no exclusion to any race or class of people.  At this moment though, a dominance of star studded celebrity and excess seems to dominate the new order. Maybe Obama and his supporters know something we do not, perhaps it is Obama's Camelot...TRedwine

sources:

 Obama's whistle-stop tour chugs on to Washington, Ed Hornick, of CNN

  L.A. Times

<http://www.sparknotes.com/biography/jackson/section8.html>