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March 4, 1897, William McKinley was sworn in as twenty-fifth President of the United States. It was a clear, mild day, and Washington was alive with people, many of whom had come hundreds of miles to witness the inaugural ceremonies. There was a grand parade and a brave showing of flags and decorations.

There were many happy people at that inaugural, but I think the happiest of all must have been dear old Nancy McKinley, who had come on, as old as she now was, to see her son, "her own William," made President. No wonder her eyes were filled with tears, as she sat there, as straight as of old, but they were happy tears, and many old persons in the gathering felt like crying with her, because they felt happy over her great happiness.