Baton Rouge tri-weekly gazette & comet. [volume] (Baton Rouge, La.) 1865-18??, 1868-02-25
CELEBRATION OF THE esD.

y
proved a brilliant affair. The day
was bright and charming. Heaven
seemed to smile propitiously on oul
gallant fremen in their well directed
plans and efforts to commemorate
the sacred occasion. The display
made by the members Of the Wash
ington and Independence Fire Com
panies, (including exempt fremen),
as they paraded through the streets
in their neat uniforms, badges and
other insignia and with their engines
beautifully wreathed and decorated,
the whole preceded by the excel
lent musical band led by Professor
Bonning,-was a sight challeng-
ing the admiration and attraction
of many spectator. Both of the
engines were drawn by brace of
fine horses, ond on either side of the
connecting lines which were en-
twined with ribbons, walked the
tiremen, two by two, with hands
placed on the lines. Seated in front
and above each of the engines, and
appropriately bedecked with howery
wreaths, We're a little lad and lassie
evidently conscious of, and enjoying
their exalted positions.
After the procession had finished
vending it way through the city it
halted in front of the Third Street
Theatre, and entered the vast hall
which had been duly prepared for
the reception Of the fremen and citi-
zens generally. Here very large
and respectable concourse,-includ.
ing many ladies,-assembled to lis
ten to the grafton of our talented
young townsman,-D. M. Callahan,
Esq,-who had been selected as the
orator Of the day. To speak Of the
grafton, its merits and the manner of
its delivery, would be to echo the
universal praise Of all who had the
good fortune to hearit. Chaste and
ornate in its diction, classic and i'm
pressive in its historical treatment of
the life and character of the illus
trious pater patriae, and in its pero-
ration honoring the noble calling
and services of the fremen, it was
production of scholarly genius and
ability.
After the grafton. there was an in
terlude of music from the band, which
was followed by an original aud
well composed ode to Washington,
from Capt. John w. Amiss, Secre
tary of Washington Fire Company
The reading of the ode, was prefaced
by few well timed Introductory re-
marks from that gentleman, the
whole of which was delivered with
a spirit Of fervor and animation
and was received with marked at
tention.
The intellectual exercises being
over, the assemblage dispersed, some
to their homes and others to the
stage or "green room," where a
splendid collation., served up in
Steve Baselisco's best style of cater
ing, awaited the festal attentions of
the firemen and their citizen guests.
Full justice was done to the sumptu-
Gus repast by the social and harmo-
NOUS throng. After all had RECALLED
themselves to their satisfaction, and
several pleasant toasts were pledged
and drank in wine and lager, an ad-
journment took place till evening,
when the fremen's grand ball was
to open.
We forgot to mention several in
teresting features connected with
the celebration, which it may not be
out of place to insert here. The
hall of the Theatre, was very hand
somely decorated on each side, by
flags and shields emblamatic of va
rious nationalities-the United States