It was the people's day and the people's president
Large crowds gathered in Washington, D.C. to see Andrew Jackson sworn in as President. But these crowds were different from those that had witnessed other inaugurations. Many who came to celebrate Jackson’s inauguration were “common people” – farmers, laborers, pioneers, backwoodsmen. They felt that Jackson was one of them. They had come to Washington to celebrate the inauguration of “our Andy.”
Many of the old-line politicians and Washington society people took a dim view of some of the events surrounding Jackson’s inauguration. One such person was Mrs. Samuel Harrison Smith, who wrote down her impressions of the inauguration and the White House reception that followed. She wrote…
“The inauguration was an imposing and majestic event, and one of inspiration. Thousands and thousands of people, without distinction of rank, gathered round the Capitol, silent, orderly, and peaceful, with their eyes fixed on the front of that building, waiting the appearance of the President.
The door from the rotunda opens; preceded by the marshals, surrounded by the judges of the Supreme Court, the old man [Jackson] with his gray locks, advances, bows to the people who greet him with a shout that rends in the air. The cannons from Alexandria and Fort Warburton proclaim the oath he has taken, and all the hills echo the sound.
It was grand – it was magnificent! An almost breathless silence followed, and the crowd was still, listening to catch the sound of his voice, though it was so low as to be heard only by those nearest to him. After reading his speech the oath was administered to him by Chief Justice Marshall. Then Marshall presented the Bible. The President took it from his hands, pressed his lips to it, laid it reverently down, then bowed again to the people – yes, to the people in all their majesty.
The day was delightful, the scene animating. We walked around the town and at every turn met some new acquaintance and stopped to talk and shake hands. We continued strolling here until near three, then returned home unable to stand, and threw ourselves on the sofa. Someone came and informed us the crowd before the White House was so far lessened that they thought we might enter.
This time we were able to enter. But what a scene did we witness! The majesty of the people had disappeared, and a rabble, a mob, of boys, Negroes, women, and children, were scrambling, fighting, and romping. What a pity, what a pity! No arrangements had been made, no police officers placed on duty, and the whole house had been flooded by the rabble mob.
We came too late. The President, after having been literally nearly pressed to death and almost suffocated and torn to pieces by the people in their eagerness to shake hands with Old Hickory, had retreated through the back way and had escaped to his lodgings.
Cut glass and china to the amount of several thousands of dollars had been broken in the struggle to get the refreshments. Punch and other articles had been carried out in tubs and buckets, but had it been in the barrels it would not have been sufficient; for it is said that twenty thousand people were there, though I think the number exaggerated. Ladies fainted, men were seen with bloody noses, and such a scene of confusion took place as is impossible to describe.
Those who got in the White House could not get out by the door again but had to scramble out of windows. At one time the President, who had retreated until he was pressed against the wall, could only be protected by a number of gentlemen forming round him and making as kind of barrier of their own bodies. The pressure was so great that Colonel Bomford, who was one, said that he was afraid they should have been pushed down or on the President. It was then the windows were thrown open and the torrent found an outlet, which otherwise might have proved deadly.
This crowd had not been anticipated and therefore not provided for. Ladies and gentleman only had been expected at this reception, not the people en masse. But it was the people’s day and the people’s President, and the people would rule. God grant that one day or other the people do not put down all rule and rulers. I fear, as they have been found in all ages and countries where the people get the power in their hands, that of all cruel rulers, they are the most ferocious, cruel, and oppressive.
The noisy and disorderly rabble in the President’s house brought to my mind descriptions I had read of the mobs in Tuileries and at Versailles during the French Revolution. I expect to hear the carpets and furniture are ruined; the streets were muddy, and these guests all went there on foot.”