The New York herald., 1868-06-01
GERMAN CATHOLIC CENTRAL UNION.

The Largest Religious Gathering Ever Had
in the City-SOlemn High Mass at the
Church Of the Most Holy Redeemer-Scenes
and Incidents-The Headquarters ut Ger
mania Assembly Rooms-The Programme for
To-Day.
Shortly before sundown on Saturday the heavy
clouds Of misty vapor which had Overhung the city
suddenly parted and fitted away to the east leaving
bright, clear sky, and bringing gladness to the
hearts Of the thousands who had for months been
preparing themselves for the great pageant to take
place on yesterday the day of PentecOst, or Whit
Sunday our AngloSaXOn forefathers called it. But
the JOY was only short-lived. Very after dark
the clouds thickened again. the skies became overcast
and the 'little twinklng stars' shut out from
the sight Of human eyes. Fear Of the weather which
Sunday morning might bring took the place of the re-
jOcing so general but few hours before and in all
German Catholic circles the question was discussed
whether ii were not better considering the threat
ened uncertainty OF meteorological appearances, to
postpone the whole public parade to another day.
And when towards midnight the sluces of heaven
opened and the rain poured down in torrents Hood
ing every gutter and crosswak, many O tear could
have been seen tricklng down the cheeks Of devout
German maidens who felt as II the great holiday
which they sighed for and looked forward to these
be turned into hood and from ms the
lips of stout and eXasperated TeutOns, and forced
Kissing through the teeth, could be heard the expe-
tive ''ueTtcht," which in English would sound much
more irreverently Still there were also many from
whose countenances the glad JOY OF their hearts
them TO the belief that an all-wse Providence sent
them RAIN on the eve of the great festival merely to
test the constancy Of their faith, and they ceased
not TO assure their friends and comrades that He
who guideth all things and without whose will not a
hair on mans head can be hurt and to whose
special service and for the gloriGcaIion of whose
name and cause they had all united, would by morn
ing dispe the clouds and send them bright sunny
n ff,h nttt
their prediction and firm reliance in their faith sun
day morning dawned with heavy fog, but before
became visible, and at the time the procession was
ready 10 commence its march the shonc with all
the glow and relulgence of summer from the no.
rizOn.
THE PROCESSION.
The distant roll OF drums and faint streams OF
sweet music rom almost every point OF the clrcun-
ference around the gayly decorated rendezvous
heralded the approach OF the processoniss Immense
crowds congiegated on the sidewalks while sea of
pleasant faces gazed from the omen on the
passing scenes below. Society after society came
pouring IN upon the appointed ground ana drew up
in line TO await the arrival OF the advance guard
The interest OF the multitude momentariy increased
as each acquisition to the array put its appear
ance. Flags and banners Of the most appropriate
cast, as wen as numerous and beautifully religious
posing spectacle. Suddenly the measured sound
ear, ana the first sight Of the 'ro procession
was now revealed to the anxious spectators,
tageous spot TO witness the display. ON came the
pageant with steady tread each detachment forminS
ltse III proper shape as It passed along. The pro.
cessIon passed tue headquarters Of the Central |
Union Ill the following order preceded by a pa- |
toon of police from the seventeenth precinct under
the command OF Captain Mount--A squadron Of |
cavalry, Captain Schwartzman; the Committee of |
Arrangements headed 10y the president Mr.. Koelble,
and ssubstantal-looking ones they were with
thelr immense shakoes and accoulremens the
pendent Rne Company, Captain Benrmann:
the delegates to the Union, led by Marshal
kerpen OF Chicago; the oicers OF the Cen
tral Union; the clergy, with several vsltors the
societies from Pitshurg with band flags and banners
the societies from Bunalo, Rochester. Utica n y,
Ere, Pa, Columbus, Ohio, the ~. Francis and st.
stephen societies OF Syracuse, MY. Succeeding these
were the societies from Echmond, Buchanan, JOINS
town, Newport, Cincinnati, Milwaukee and Chicago
lhe members Ol the foregoing carried beautiful ban
neTets ana were arrayed with appropriate sashes of
ties. Then followed 81. Joseph's and St Cccelia,s !
societies from Williamsburg, with band: the Union |
Rinc Corps captain Braun st. Joseph's society NJ |
East New 0fk society OF ST. Vincent de Paul of the
Church OF tie Ascension Forty-ninth street After
these came societies from Paterson aud Jersey |
OF Newark, accompanied by an independent |
rlne company captain Dicker and band To-. |
by Captain Wrvsuers Rife Company and rlee club |
rom Elfzabethtown. Next in order came the st. |
boniiace society OF Brooklyn, and behind them was
borne aoit the papal Tag, surrounded by twelve |
norseInea on white chargers, under the command OF
taptahn y Denncr ~ may be mentioned that this |
beautiful and splendidIy wrought ensign was made
IN this city, II consisted OF white silk and displayed
an excellent portrait OF Plus IN, with the following
inscription III German-"Prolcctor of the Roman |
Catholic Central Union Of the United States OF |
America-and on the opposite side the coat OF arms
oi the Pope, with the TIARA ana the KEYS between
branches of lilies and aurels. This fag which Was
consecrated yesterday week Ia Third street church
excited general admiration by It's richness and mas
teriy execution. Behind the Papal flag followed |
several other religious societies. including those of
st. Francis, -. Anthony's St Peters Emneror
Henrys Society OF Thrty.nrst street chnrcb banI.
~. Ao!slus' Young Mems Society st. Alphonsus'
Soceiy, win band st. Michaels Society: st. bona
qtr
~ -ioseph society Of lorkvle ST. Johns Society ~
Jacohs' vac, society, with oand 81. Laboums society
ol ~. Joseph the oldest In the city, and section of
Sayahy, under the command of Captain Schurtl.
H. DcHonu aH question 1t was splendid and imposing
= spIou1,c' prIon%' ine sun shone forth In dazzling
slienGor ana cast brightness over The far
,nc ,r, ttahn array. Az already observed, each
organization has It's own Insignia both nm |
,esara @ 20 Iengous and SECULAR emblems as well A.
s"hdl d.tlre the sashes OF each being different:
nut conspicuous among all were the stars ANA
naipes WIich obtained prominent places In the dis.
piN, by TINS tune the crowd had greatly increased
ano leW windows in the Bowery through which Inc
pro, idS ession passed were left inoccuped TO the
numbering AT least ten thousand marched with steodv
y, ~ iOu the starting place, which was the corner
ci Bowert ana Houston street me march wos thnr
I.,owh we Bowcry to Canal street ana throngh
c, iMlt street TO Thompson street the |
,xcelIcd even pSsen,ed mH me- an appearance scarcely
we're suspended from nearly every house and
u !, Lit .ne vicinity OF the Roman Catholic church
I.tt, |
we're eAhlne9 III proiusion, The church itself beng
N anusonleN ue.Heu on the outside where an inn |
beIse cOnsfegauOn OF persons assembled to wi,ness
ne spectacle Inc marked compliment TO Inc ,ann, |
eIs ol me central Union thus displayed by Yhe in
abiiants was courtoously acknowledged IN 'naee,nn
ne procession next passed through Spring Street ~ |
ulnvan, Beecker 10 Sixth avenue to 81 Toecnhs, |
nufCh, whicn, TOO, was neatly arrayed with npgs !
1ngious mottoes, green bouphs ana nowers |
long the route The procession was regarded |
thousands with the greatest nterest ond ,
though the pathways were densely crowded tho thn
'eatest order and regularity prevailed on pas. T
Y 81 Josepbs as Wen as all the other churches all
G members OF the different societies raised tbeir
. and bowed reverently. The procession moved i
oward Twenty-third street, passed the Church of | :
\ ucent de Paul, which was also decorated and | i
Dcet Ied TO Eighth avenue and Thirtieth street to
Joh US church. where halt was made Not |
me d the Catholic churches cordially svmpa,hi1e |
tn the PROCESSION by their excellent and apnrn | 4
late dsp Sys but all the churches In the vicinity +
ded to H. V general erect by their Cooperation | il
render NE pageant worthy OF lie ,nns, | !.