General Grant was inaugurated on Thursday, the 4th of March, 1869, amid a great display of popular enthusiasm.

All parties joined in it.

The Republicans, who had been embarrassed by President Johnson's conduct for the preceding four years, felt that they had overcome a political enemy rather than a man whom they had themselves placed in power; and the Democrats, who had supported Johnson so far as was necessary to embarrass and distract the Republicans, were glad to be released from an entangling alliance which had brought them neither profit or honor.
Contrary to the etiquette of the occasion, the incoming President was not escorted to the Capitol by his predecessor.

The exceptions to this usage have been few.

John Adams was so chagrined by the circumstances attending his defeat that he would not remain in Washington to see Mr.
Jefferson installed in power; and the long-established hatred which General Jackson and John Quincy Adams so heartily sustained for each other forbade any personal intercourse between them.