The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-10-02
The Gathering Of the
Boys in Blue This
Morning The Ap-
pearance Of the
Streets.
TH H MARCH!
The Grandest Parade Ever Wit
Ressed in the Citv-0ne
Hour and 10 Minutes
in Passing.
Etcp Etc, ETC., Etc, Etc, Etc

The world does not change. Through all
time the hero Of the battle field returned from
his hot work covered with scars and glory-has
been regarded by the people Of that nation
whose cause he championed, with proud and
enthusiastic admiration. Although Peace long
since has proved herself far stronger than War
has accomplished more by her mild persuasions
than ever was gained by dint OF arms
yet 30 much OF the belligerent ingre.
dent remains in our composition that
nothing go hastily rouses our natures, sends the
blood fairly leaping throu gh our veins, and kin.
dies with quick fire the eye as the tap of
drum, the sight of a uniform, or the glitter of
bayonet. The mere civilian, statesman, and ora
tor, of fame though he may be, never by his pre-
sence and voice moves the ''great people" to that
state OF almost uncontrolled enthusiasm which
they frequently reach when addressed by war
worn veteran, by soldier blackened with the
smoke OF conflict upon the hard-fought and
weli.won field. In this case the voices of the
throng vie with the roar of the cannon, and If
the speaker were asked he could not, probably,
tell which noise was the louder.
This trait of ours has been magni6cently ex-
hibited here during the past two days. Phlla-
delphia's heart has throbbed in one mighty
pulsation of welcome 10 the brave "Boys in
Blue" The men whom we greeted, refreshed,
and cared for on their way to aud from the
front during the war, now again gather in our
city to learn that in peace we can be equally as
hospitable as in war.
Our loyal citizens have risen as one man to
give the 'boys" hearty welcome. The same
old Independence Hall which witnessed the
birth of hbertyg now throws wide its doors to
the heroes who rescued that liberty from a
violent death. Nothing could have been more
cordial than the manner in which we have met
the nations saviors.
TI,o itu hos ad ito tact and fha
heavens over 1t have smiled in propitious clear.
ness Young and old have joined in the effort
of providing for thirty thousand visiting war;
riors. How well they have provided let the
have been ptofered for their accommodation
our citizens have come forward 10 offer the
shelter of their roofs and the fare of their
tables, while grand dinlng-room capable of
feeding hundreds at once has been established
III National Hall.
Our streets present the scene of an old-time
Old World carnival. From the centre to the
suburbs of the city, our wellings, stores, manu-.
factories, public places, are all decorated.
Happy time for the sellers of buntlng-the town
Is a town OF flags
Hundreds OF our houses are not only hung
with the stars and Stripes, but will be brilliantly
Illuminated in the evening, and conspicuoHsly
display portraits of the Martyr Lincoln" and
the famed Generals OF the war. Others have
Union ~ aWelcome.S The entire Quaker City
has shaken off its wonted ca muess and compla-
cency, and knows at present but to do honor to
the men who protected her from the Rebel
raiders.
Every body saw the sights and scenes yester-
day, and heard the resoundlng shouts which
greeted the veteran delegations striving from
North, South, East, and West, listened to the
Mayors address OF welcome, and participated in
the meetings of the evening".
To-day. the grand day Of the reunion of the
"Boys in Blue" the tumult and excitement
run higher still. At sunrise the streets were
alive. Little chaps piled busy traffic in ''routes
of the parade" Newsboys ran lively in their
sale of papers, containing accounts, descriptions,
The day is holiday. Very early the sounds
OF drums and 6fes and hurryng feet were heard.
No late sleepers this morning. The cars brought
to the streets In the centre OF the town. There
would Se-and !" there it really was was.
What o spectacle to stand at the corner OF Third
Myriads of ropes stretching from house-top to
bouse-top, and myriads OF flags duttering upon
them. Banners, transparencles, pictures In
countless numbers, displayed at every window
Banner" others far off playing the same air,
with the tune rendered into sweet cadence by
the distance.
have crowded the sidewalks, and even througed
from curb to curb! The rapid horsemen aud
Qmck-stepping squads of the "Boys" in their
way 10 join the ranks OF the prosessionl
North Broad street was perfect sea OF people
They covered every open lot, clustered like
bees upon every wood pile, perched like birds
upon every fence, gaZed-like pictures In frames
from every window, wedged themselves at
every corner,
The multitude then waited to see the first
start OF the parade-and when the line came
along they were gratided. Broad street, how.
ever, was but type of the other streets along
which the procession marched. In fact, the
crowds were everywhere. Strong shoulders and
imperturbable good humor were both required
10 get single block through the press.
The Custom House steps, locked with women
and children in bright dresses, presented flower.
garden scene The balconies of the various
hotels, the steps OF the public buildings every
available place, were crowded. Expectation
was on tip toe. Now, away up the street, the
music is feard approaching, and everybody gets
to his tallest altitude to catch the first glimpse
Of the "Boys in Blue"
The Parade.
At quarter of IL o'clock the signal was given,
and in apRnrdanca with RHacial Ordara the line