The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1849-02-23
Celebration of washington's Birthday.

pdted In anOther anniversary CeleDIduOn OF the
birthday of the pure, the patriotic, the wise, the
immortal WASHINGTON. The Twenty-second of
February is one of the patriots hottest Sabbaths
1t is day to be observed and celebrated by every
lover of human freedom, by every advocate of hui
rights, by every friend of progress in all that
contributes to the happiness of mankind. IN every
land. In our own beloved country, 1t Is day
when we may look back and trace our progress
from state of colonial dependency up to our present
greatness-when may review our unexamped
career and ponder the causes the influences, the
agencies which have raised to the proud position
| we now occupy among the nations of the earth.
1t is a day when we should bring to memory all
| those great and glorious deeds, those unexamped
sacrifices, those records of forttude, of patriotic
| actions, and of heroism, which distinguished the
actors in that noble drama, the finale of which was
American Independence. 1t is day when the
names and actions of those noble men who shone
conspcuously in the terrible trials of the infancy of
the Republic, come wildly to our memories, and
arouse within us the pures, the noblest, the most
patriotic emotions. 1t is a day when, looking at
present position with pride. and bearing in mind
how that position has been attained, we may VEN
ture to look forward and view the glorious prospect
before us-a prospect such never before was
vouchsafed to any people in any age of the world.
1t is day when political animosities forgotten,
and people, laying aside all thought of the ex-
citing party topics of the day, show to the world
their greatness, their reverence for the pure and
admiration of the noble, their beautiful unity, by
a universal celebration of the birth of him whom
they delight to call the g Father of his Country -
of him, whose name is every where, even unto the
utermost parts of the earth, venerated, and whose
virtues and whose fame, associated with all our
ideas of moral greatness, are unrvaled in the
worlds history 1t is day when aged and VEN
cradle men converse with a holy pleasure on the
past history of country, and when little children
sing hymns in praise and reverence of him whose
name they have been taught, among the first, to
utter 1t is an anniversary suggestive of profound
thought, calculated to awaken noble aspirations
day to be ever commemorative season of joy
and thankfuln+ss for the blessings we enjoy.
Millions, with joyful hearts, yesterday celebrated
the event which gave to our country Hero,
Statesman and Patriot, and to the world the purest
specimen of Natures noblemen.
The day was commemorated by our citizens in
manner becoming the august and important event.
The weather was suspicious The atmosphere
was soft and balmy as the air of May The God
of Day rose from his ocean-bed in unclouded
majesty, and shone gloriously until he sank in a
flood of golden light below the Western horizon.
fine cool breeze tempered the heat of the suns rays,
and more delightful day we could not have been
favored with. AT early morn, salutes were fired
in Lafayette Square and the Place d'Armes, and
the loud booming of the deep-mouthed cannon
aroused our slumbering citizens to participate in
the joyful demo nstrations of the day.
The streets soon began to show more than ord-
nary hustle and iveliness, and on every hand was
signs of preparation for the approaching cere-
monies. The "stars and stripes foated gaily in
the breeze from tower and steeple, and cupola,
from housetops, from windows and fsg-staffs, in
every part of the city. The scene on the river
beautiful. The tiny waves danced and sparkled in
the sunlight The immense fleet of shipping, and
the numerous Steamboats, in port, were beautifully
adorned with flags and ensigns and streamers of
every hue. The "stars and sripes,'' the red
of st. George, the ri-coor of France, were all
floating in the breeze in peace and harmony.
Ships of all nations united In doing honor to the
day, and every thing appeared favorable to a bril-
liant celebration. Soon the military companies
and the different societies began TO arrive in Canal
street, and after delay the procession was
formed Governor Johnson not present, and
we regret to learn that his absence was owing to
indisPesitieH Gen. Lewis, and other distinguished
officers, and numerous and brilliant staff headed
the procession, which moved off down Canal
street to the New Custom House, where the cere-
mony of laying the cornerstone was to take place
at noon. The military companies turned out in
considerable force, and added much 10 the splendor
fthe procession. We noticed the dashing Crescent
Hussars, some companies of German Dragons, the
Cazadores, the Chasseurs of 1914 and IS, the
Galatians, the German Yagers, the Louisiana Fusi-
leers, and the Swiss Rihemen.. After the mill
tary came the Order of the Sons of Temper
ance, with elegant and appropriate banners.
| The Order formed the most grand and imposing
| part of the procession. The Grand Division of the
| State Of Louisiana, headed by the Hon. Robert W.
Powell, Grand Worthy Patriarch of the State, took
the lead. The officers of the various subordinate
Divisions followed, atired in the regalia suited to
| their rank Then came the members, or a number
| of the members, of all the Divisions in the CITY,
wearing the plain white regaa, and formed into
| one body as {" Sons Of Temperance." The Younger
| Brothers of the Order brought up the rear. These
created quite a sensation, and attracted general
| attention and admiration. They were all young
boys and turned ont in great strength. Altogether
| the Sons of Temperance made most beautiful
| display, both in numbers and appearance. After
| the Sons of Temperance came the St. MichaePs
Benevolent Burial Society, with a beautiful ban
ner. This society, we understand, has only been
about four months in existence, and already num-
bers 300 members, about 80 of whom were in the
procession. The members each wore a very hand
some green silk scarf with gold fringe, and ap-
propriate and elegant badge. This was the first
time the society had turned out, and we must say
We have rarely seen finer body of men, or society
which presented a more handsome appearance
The St. Joseph's Charitable Society, with their
splendid banner, formed pleasing feature in the
procession. The members turned out about 60
strong, and attracted much attention. Each men,
Der wore an elegant badge. We must not omit to
notice the Catholic Orphan Boys of the Third Mu
nicpality, about 40 of whom brought up the rear of
| the procession. finer, Notwithstanding set of
lttIa follnr,,c No fhat fho