The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-10-03
THE BOYS IN BLUE.
The Republican Soldiers and Sailors
Convention in Philadelphia.
rho Host Imposing Demonstration Ever Wit
messed in the Quaker City.

PHILADELPHIA, Oct 2, 1858.
Philadelphia has covered herself with glory. She
has given q magnificent reception to an army OF
Boys In Blue who to demonstrate In her streets
neir particular attachment to the candidate for
President Of the republican party She has received
them with all the honors Of great and loyal city,
closed her stores and mars Of business, suspended
her every day toll hung all her banners on the outer
walls or gave them freely to the breeze and In FACT
oomporled herself after manner unusually gay,
brilliant and patriotic quarter. OF million OF
citizens left their homes places of business this
morning and ranged themselves along q line extend
ing almost ten miles TO witness the procession
u 1.-The Boys in Blue" or course, all these
people did not belong to the one order
Of political faith 1t might be safe to state that at
oeast one-half OF the vast mass OF spectators was
democratic. But that ever-to-be-honored trait In the
American character found pre-emlnence on this oc-
oas0n, the disposition to otter neither discourtesy
nor insult to strangers in their midst and above ALL
tho disposition to show the old al love and rever-
ance for the nag and the uniform Of the Union
evinced itself. Wherever the former waved or the
latter made its appearance the men OF both parties
were equally unanimous in the expression OF their
applause AMI devotion Philadelphia is almost
evenly divided between the two great parties; but
same, no less devoted than the other to the nag
e the Union and the lasting glory and greatness OF
The republic.
THE APPEARANCE OF TIE CITY,
The sidewalks were lined with compact walls Of
human faces. Store windows in the principal thor
oughfares were occupied by the fashion and beauty
q the cty the roofs Of houses, the balconies Of ho-
tesa the projections Of every public building swarmed
with holiday multitude. Except on one or two oc-
sssons during the war no such immense outpouring
has been witnessed. The enthusiasm was genuine;
ne loud and ever recurring cheers, the waving OF
handkerchiefs the eager and delighted looks OF the
spectators spoke OF the deepseated emotions OF ma
tonal pride, blended more or less with the feeling
Of prospective party triumph that stirred the null
utnde at the sight Of the old batescarred and war
worn flags borne along by many veteran bands, and
st the uniform that often met the eye during the
gloomy days of the late struggle when the remnants
u decimated regiments returned to Northern cities
20 tell the proud tale Of heroic valor and endurance
b the cause Of Union and liberty.
THE GATHERING IN THE MORNING.
Shortly before nine O'Clock thick columns were
seen advancing towards Broad street, from where
the procession was to move. With the exception Of
limited and uncertain space surrounding the rem
devious all the entrances to 1t entirely cut or
BY the dense masses Of people who congregated.
The scene was OF the liveliest description and
bids fair to compete with any that has ever taken
place in this CITY, The arrival of each delegation
was greeted by a r0usng and enthusiastic cheer
from all sides. Bands OF music were in attendance
and envened the proceedings by many patriotic and
spirit-stirr,ng airs. Even at that early hour the
easements Of the surrounding neighborhood were
thrown open and the fair occupants cheerily waved
their handkeIchiefs as the mass OF processionists
momentarily increased. The greatest order was
preserved and good humor and harmony were
among the many favorable characteristics OF the
was apparent and strongly reminded OF the grand
opening OF the annual oarnivais OF Venice or Co
er selections Of embems. ana occasonalIy some
well pointed exhibition having reference TO past
political events produced much merriment and
evoked continued rounds OF appreciation. North
Broad street was perfect sea Of people. There was
not an available inch OF ground that was not occu-
pied, and many suffered the inconvenience or
good crush to be spectators. They were in win
dows and on the ground, on roofs and upon rails,
holding Just emily to save them from n Tumble Ss
returned from war they could not have been more
warmly greeted fact that shows that their services
are still fresh In the hearts OF their c0untrymen.
universal smile appeared to spread itself on every
face and II consonance with the brilliant sum-
che multitude, by look and voice, approved
this proceeding. Each minute brought fresh ar
rival and up went vociierous shout which the
~boys'' invariably acknowledged. And while North
Broad street at this stage could not contain more
human beings the crowds closed up and Spring Gar
den, Twelfth street. began TO Ill rapidly But to
any one having read the last returns OF the census
Il would seem that the entire population OF Phlade
phia had congregated In Chestnut street. the rising
broadway OF the city. Time new swiftly and the
men were forming In the order OF procession, so
that those intending 10 have view FASTENED TO diff
ferent favorable portions OF the route In order TO
crafty themselves and realize the bright anticpa-
uons which they had formed Of brilliant display.
THE FLAG DISPLAY
was one of the principal features OF the day Never
on any previous occasion did such quantity OF gay
and tasteful Pee "a ts o.
ing and picturesque and lent an amount OF festvity
TO the occasion which otherwise would have been
absent Chestnut street was q remarkable scene.
Scarcely house from end TO end but had q nag,
while many displayed haif dozen. Banners were
suspended across the street and here and there
annropriale notices, embems and other festal art-
cfes greeted the upturned gaze. Nearly all the
public buildings In the CITY,, commercial houses
me occasion. A regular nag mania prevailed.
Not alone did every sympathizing house
hing forth Its Stars and Stripes. but the horses,
veyances and every prominent object was decorated
with some emblem appropriate TO the occasion. In
the principal thoroughares the nags were costly and
beautiful, while the banners were gotten up with
taste and Judgment. In nearly every window there
was something exhibited commemorative OF the
event, and, indeed, scarcely anything else was
thought or during the entire day and night. Where
ali the nags came from, how Oil the banners were
aung to the breeze n scn space o. m or now
necessary TO dilate upon. Suice IL to say that the
manner In which Philadelphia was adorned this
been held.
The 'front.' OF this memorable temple OF liberty,
which looked gay and young again, was literally
gwarming with visitors OF all classes ages and con-
ditons, from the hoary patriarch to the rising
sprouts OF Young America. The steps were impass-
able and not few were reminded OF the multitude
who In 177G surrounded the building, earnestly
awaiting the resu Of the great deliberations which
took place within It's ha0wed walls. Strangers
from all parts were there this morning, and few
missed the opportunity OF ascending the tower from
which the great bell OF liberty peaed forth ifs well
come notes. Besides this q little, though splendid
art gallery In the left OF the building was crammed
to excess the portraits OF the great fathers
exhibited and reveren.y and admlrIngly beheld.