In his address, Garfield denounced attempts to impede African-American suffrage, expressed his confidence in the gold standard, warned against the dangers of high rates of illiteracy, and admonished the practice of polygamy by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.[2] Garfield was recognized as an extremely competent public speaker, but faced difficulty when composing his inaugural address. Three days before his inauguration, he scrapped his speech and feverishly began work on a new one. Exhausted by several sleepless nights of writing, he delivered his rushed oration on March 4, but it failed to live up to the high expectations of many of those present.[3]
The "Statue of America" in the rotunda of the Arts and Industries Building.Garfield (center, standing) on the reviewing stand in front of the White House for his inaugural parade; Garfield's wife Lucretia is seated at his right, outgoing president Rutherford B. Hayes and his wife Lucy Webb Hayes at his left
Inaugural ball
Garfield's inaugural ball was hosted the night of the inauguration in the Smithsonian Institution'sArts and Industries Building, completed earlier that year. The centerpiece of the celebration was a large "Statue of America" in the museum's rotunda, who held an electric light in her raised right hand.[4] The music at the event was directed by conductor John Philip Sousa, and performed by the Germania Orchestra of Philadelphia and the U.S. Marine Band.[5]
