The New York herald., 1869-05-22
TIE BOSTON PEACE FESTIVAL.


Boston, the Hub OF the Unverse'' and the 'Mod-
ern Athens OF America" as she Is sometimes roni-
cally termed Is really to be the scene Of an event
which promises to pass into history as one Of the
grandes and most significant OF any during the past
nineteen centuries Of the worlds career 1t has been
well said that all grant and novel enterprises have
10 pass successfully through the various stages Of
rdicule, argument and adoption, and II they are to
any considerable degree meritorious they will Of
command popular approval and slip IN
voluntarily through the additional stage Of glori-
Gus consummaton. That monster musical demon
stration the great national peace festival and jubilee
Of which SO much has been said and written in the
Immediate past-that grand ovation in which the
hearty admirers Of q restored Union will unite in
one common chorus and exutation Of thanks and
prase-wIu most certainly be q glorious reality,
IN unexampled success, marvellous wonder. The
inevitable ridicule which came from many quarters
when the event was frs: conceived was rapidly fol-
lowed by sober, serious argument Then in quick
succession the general ideas Of the proposed de-
monsration were accepted and adopted by public
somewhat credulous at first; and now that II has
appeared that there Il everything appropriate in
Saton Of neace. the wSole American people seem
disposed to unite in carrying the enterprise for-
ward to glorious and happy consuinmation.
rry-of the thrifty North. the sunny South
and the plentyaden West-will come together on
pipe OF peace TO bury the political hatchet and, as
they separate for their respective and distant homes
excaiin almost nvoluntarily, and In one grand and
hearty chorus, 'Gory to God In the highest peace
on earth, good will towards men,"
1t but few days after the little interview be-
tween General Grant and General Lee under the
Appomattox apple tree that Mr.. Gilmore (of the re-
nowned Boston band bearing MS namel conceived
the idea OF peace festival, similar 10 the one which
he has arranged for on such magnificent scale.
For two years or more he has reyolved over In his
mind, and during the Intervening time reconstruc-
ton mas gone forward, the Union mas been freshly
cemented, the proper time for the loyal and thank
these pent-up reoicngs and thanks viii be furnished
the middle OF the coming month IL would require
physical and mental faculties OF an oInnipotent ma
lures connected now and to be associated in iuture
with this truly appropriate and inspiring national
celebration. Money, II would seem, has been the
least OF all considerations required 10 carry
the grand occasion forward, and industrious labor,
and fact every other needed requisite has been
the jubilee viii occupy hye days altogether CON-
mencg Oh ne c S de me d enang on
| during thh brief interval. The President OF the
United States together with his Cabinet the loregn
Ministers 10 this country and the Governors OF the
various states, are among those who have been
invited. General Grant has insinuated privately
tnat he Will be mere, and Cabinet officers,
| foreign Ministers and Governors TO the number
OF over forty have formally accepted OF their invita-
tons. and the presence OF some thirty members Of
Congress has also been assured Large excursion
parties also arranging TO come nom New York,
Charleston :. C., New Orleans, san Francisco, St.
Louis CINCINNATI, Chicago and from all the various
cities OF the West and south. Numerous prominent
officers In the Confederate army have been invited
and several have signed their Intention OF coming
| letter OF invitation TO General Lee was forwarded
during the latter part OF last week, and favorable
l reply Is dairy expected.
| While the hotels VIII he capable OF furnishing ac-
| comnodatons 10 very many thousands OF visitors,
their capacity WILL OF course be equal 10 all the
| demands which Will lie made upon them Boarding
| house Keepers and private families have come TO the
/ ftef IA
| strangers Will be well cared for, aud
at reasonable rates. To secure this ''bureau Of
| accommo odauons'' has been established, where
| all those having rooms and board for the extra
visitors register their name, residence ana price
| and those desiring accommodations have only 10
apply TO this bureau and they Immediately pro-
vided for and without any expense TO any one. the
whole arrangement being furnished gratuitously by
| the jubilee management
| The Coliseum, the great structure In which the
festivities OF the jubilee are to take place, Is rapidly
| approaching completion ana everything about II
| will be finished In due season. IL is located In
the Back BAY section Of Boston and on the tract OF
land known az ST. James Park and within less thar
half an hours walk ten or fifteen minutes horse
car ride from the principal hotels and central par
OF the city. II Is unquestionably the largest pnb
structure ever erected In the United states and 70
strength, convenience Of access and general adapta
tion for rs purpose, u unrivaled. IL WI
5000 people, and there VIII be some thirty or fortI
doors OF ingress and egrcss. The musicians voca
the structure, and surrounding them on either sid
| will be the audience. There is also epaciou
| gallery SuffOunlluH tne lutcflOr anu ulftCh'
| beneath is a broad promenade. Retiring rooms ar
| numerous and among other conveniebces Will be
department for the representatives OF the press, am
also general telegraph ONCE, with wires stretching
| 70 all parts OF the world.
The rehearsas OF those who are to participate Il
furnishing the musical features Of the occasion
continuing daily, and the very best musical talent Il
| the country has presented ITSELF The Instruments
portion OF the orchestra will consist OF about l,2O
pieces and some 400 Of these will come nom Nev
| York city. The department or vocal SINGERS Will, o
| course exceed this by several thousands and upo
one OF the days OF the jubilee the voices OF som
20 OOO school children will be hesrd, ana the choru
II on that day as upon all others. will berendere
thunderingly effective by an artillery feature OF th
orchestra the various pieces 10 be fired at the prope
time by means OF electricity. Madame Parepa Rosa
as has been stated, Will sing upon some one an
All 1--WE of the days will be issued this week. how
ever, and then the public will know exactly what
csming ana when TO expect IT, IL ~ only necessar
great and glorious jubilee will In every sense an
feature be happy success, national honor an
\ the means OF fDaugurating kindly and fraterna
4 feeling among all classes througbout the whole