The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-10-18

TRENNIAL PARADE OF THE FIRE DEPART
MENT.-The imposing demonstration of yester-
day Is the second grand triennial parade which
the New York fremen have had as body.
They had torchlight procession in honor Of
the laying Of the Atlantic cable, which was
unsurpassed by anything of the sort on record;
but the daylight procession Of yesterday was,
it will be admitted, one of the most remarkable
displays of the kind that has ever been wit
messed in the history Of any mere departmental
organization. p"
On this occasion upwards of six thousand
dremen, composed of the very flower Of our
citizens in point of youth and physical develope-
ment turned out to take part in the celebra-
ton. Nothing could be more orderly or salts
factory than their appearance and conduct.
The instructions Of the Grand Marshal, direct
ing that military order should be observed,
that there should be no smoking in the
ranks, and that no steam should be got up in
the steam fire engines, were carried out to the
letter, showing that the men were under the
most perfect control by their chiefs, and
were animated by the feelings of selfrespect
and esprit de corps which should always govern
such organizations. Their conduct presented
complete answer to the argument which is so
frequently made use Of in regard to the police,
that it is impossible to introduce amongst CT
villains not subjected to the severest military
discipline, the habits of obedience which such
force requires to render it efficient Another
pleasing feature in the procession was the pre-
sence of five or six visiting companies from
places within radius Of three hundred miles
of New York, showing the close bonds of fra
termination which exist betweenthe Fire Depart
ments of the different cities. In point of splen-
dor and costliness the demonstration must have
afforded immense pleasure to the idly curious.
The engines were decorated with all the fanci-
full accessories that art and the most extrava-
giant expenditure could furnish them. The
paintings on several were really productions of
the most exquisite beauty and skill, as were
also the plated ornaments and mountings of the
carriages, which must have cost large sums to
| the companies
Apart from the pride and qualification derived
from the display, there was another feeling
much more satisfactory which it must have
called forth in the breasts Of all those that wit
messed it. The rowdyism of tho fremen of
Baltimore, Philadelphia and others of the
neighboring cities, has brought such disgrace
on the volunteer system in those places,
that it has been found necessary in several
cities to abolish it, and to have paid Fire
Department, under the control of the city gov
ernments, in its stead. As long, however, as our
firemen show themselves animated by the SEN
timents Of selfrespect, pride of organization
and public spirit which governed their conduct
yesterday, there will be no complaints on the
part of the New York public against the volun-
teer system It will, on the contrary, become
fixed and permanent amongst us, because the
selfdevotion and ardor which our young fire.
men exhibit in the performance oftheir perilous
duties has never been surpassed, even, we may
say, by the daring exploits of the Zouaves at
Solferino. A great deal has been said against
| the red republicans and the fre-eaters; and yet
we appeal for evidence to the demonstration of
yesterday, in which upwards of six thousand red
shirted republicans and red hot fireeaters took
part, whether more orderly, peaceable or
easily governed body of men can be found any
where than these protectors and guardians of
our city have proved themselves
THE FRENCH MISSION AND THE PRESIDENT