Andrew Jackson's Inauguration in 1829: The party that got out of hand

[bluestateguy]

http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/jacksoninauguration.htm

Jackson was America's first "Frontier President" – the first president who did not come from the nation’s east-coast elite. His victory was seen as a triumph for the common man and for democracy. The celebration of his inauguration was an opportunity for America’s ordinary citizen to rejoice.

Margaret Smith was a long-time pillar of Washington society. She describes Jackson's inauguration in a letter to a friend:


" March 11th, Sunday <1829>

Thursday morning. . . Thousands and thousands of people, without distinction of rank, collected in an immense mass round the Capitol, silent, orderly and tranquil, with their eyes fixed on the front of that edifice, waiting the appearance of the President in the portico.

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The south side of the Capitol was literally alive with the multitude, who stood ready to receive the hero and the multitude who attended him. . . When the speech was over, and the President made his parting bow, the barrier that had separated the people from him was broken down and they rushed up the steps all eager to shake hands with him. It was with difficulty he made his way through the Capitol and down the hill to the gateway that opens on the avenue. Here for a moment he was stopped. The living mass was impenetrable.

After a while a passage was opened, and he mounted his horse which had been provided for his return (for he had walked to the Capitol) then such a cortege as followed him! Country men, farmers, gentlemen, mounted and dismounted, boys, women and children, black and white. Carriages, wagons and carts all pursuing him to the President's house. . . . e set off to the President's House, but on a nearer approach found an entrance impossible, the yard and avenue was compact with living matter."

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[book_worm]

1. those were the days!

when there was a reception at the White House it didn't just mean the high and mighty of society but when the doors were opened anybody could come in and shake hands with the president. Actually the tradition of a WH reception where "just plain folks" could come and meet the president lasted until 1931 with the final WH open house on New Years Day under President Hoover.

[bluestateguy]

3. James Polk had open office hours in the White House

On certain days any citizen could show up to the WH, and have 10 minutes of private time with the President.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

2. The public cut hanks out of the curtains

for souvenirs, and stood on chairs in muddy boots to get a better glimpse of their hero. Jackson fled the ruckus.

Not sure whether it was this one or his second that Jackson was presented with a giant cheese that was gobbled up by the masses, though the smell lingered for many months.