James Buchanan
Inaugural Address
Wednesday, March 4, 1857
The Democratic Party chose another candidate instead of their incumbent President when they nominated James Buchanan at the national convention. Since the Jackson Administration, he had a distinguished career as a Senator, Congressman, Cabinet officer, and ambassador. The oath of office was administered by Chief Justice Roger Taney on the East Portico of the Capitol. A parade had preceded the ceremony at the Capitol, and an inaugural ball was held that evening for 6,000 celebrants in a specially built hall on Judiciary Square.