The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1869-03-24
LETTERS FROM NEW ORLEANS.
THE GREAT PARADE OF THE FIREMEN-spLEN
DID DIsPLAY-THE CoNvIvIALIrIEs OF THE
DAY-oUT FOR HOLIDAY.
NEW ORLEANS, March II, 1856

DAY-0UT FOR A HOLIDAY.
New ORLEANS, March IL, 1869.
, Friend Democrat My last epistle wa
written under difficulties, pleasant difficu
ties, however, that look back upon wit
the fond hope that they will stand in m
path often. The fact is the boys of nun
Der "Drei' were going to have a blow on
Charley Hemard, who is one Oft lead
ing cotton brokers of our city, had bee
chosen Marshal, and was going to do tn
handsome-and "Old Tim" was down 70
the trip. / knew it would be somethin.
fine, for met Charley at A. G. Pierpon
& Co.'S, No. Is New Levee street, layin,
in asupply of old Bourbon, few bottles
OF Poultney Cognac, dozen or so of Sher
ry and Port, and st. Julien Claret withou
end, which, with several sugar-cured hams
raisens, almonds and other groceries Pier
pont promised to send up promptly, and O
the best quality, and knew that what he
said he would do. Groceries, wines, Ii
quors and Western produce of every Lde
scription, can be found at No. Is New
Levee street, and Messrs. A. E. Perpont
and Co., will be found to be liberal and
accommodating men. In this house, my
friend, John B. Wheeler, one of the most
popular young men in the grocery business
is employed, he cut his eye teeth in that
staunch house of the olden time, Dudley
& Nelson, and has since been connected
with some of the best houses in town.
You will understand that there were few
peopls on Canal street on the Fourth of
March, that the galleries were throrged by
ladies and children, in elegant costumes,
with gay ribbons flying in the breeze, and
happy animated faces, leaning over to
watch the scenes in the street below. The
weather was not as pleasant as we could
have wished, it rained little in the morn
ing and the sun did not make his appear.
ance at oil, but the boys were out for all
that, for its
Never mind the weather when the wiod
don't blow"
The procession formed on Canal street,
the right resting on Royal street, down
which they moved first. Everywhere that
they Went. an enthusiastic crowd welcom-
I'd them, handkerchief were waived, DO.
luets presented, and other marks of es-
eem were showeerd upon them.
TuE DECORATIONS
we're REALLY as choice and beautiful as
hey could be. have often seen as great
. variety, but there was remarkable
hasteness, simplicity and richness about
he decorations this year that lent add.
ional charms to the occasion and reflected
he highest credit upon the taste and re.
nement of the committees who had the
latter in charge. Mississippi No. 2 turn.
d out with their steam engine, FURNISHED
ntil it was as clear as q mirror and shone
Ike gold. Pelican Hook and Ladder No.
turned out with their long blue ladders
pped at the ends with gold. In the cen.
y OF their ladders on cushion of rich
ue velvet there was a splendid golden {
elican. The boys of this company look
gallant and fearless band, handy to y
I'VE about in case of accident, you know. t
Ieam engine No. 8 was drawn by fonr s
'lendid white horses. and accompanied by /
e band from st. Mary's College, under e.
e direction of the Christian Brothers, s
'ese youths played with accuracy and c
irit, and received much applause along il
entire route. American Hook and h
oder Co. No. 2, with splendid band ii
aging such lively airs as "Joe Bowers" o
'rkansaw Traveller" and capt. Jinks,'' c.
re encored by the thousands who wit h
ssed their display. On their long ladders "
l'te-sized figure of an Indian maiden :"
3d. dressed in white, with gold orna- W
nts. Philadelphia No. IA had six fine m
Fses, drawing their splendid steam en-. fe
e, which was literally covered with flow az
, boquets and wreaths. We hear the as
ll-stirring air, A." The Bonnie Blue Flag" M
then comes Trad Ferry No. IL, bear M
on their highly polished steam engine an
champion flags of blue silk, the smoke. Sc
TX filed with flowers, and handsome an
aths extending around the machine lat
pc Hook and Ladder No. 3, made er
ntiful display. On the front of their gel
'ers they bore pair of splendid glded
hers, the largest ever saw, and beneath ha
the legend Come and take Them Boz
the center of their ladders stood the ise
re, Hope, pointing Heavenward, and at If.
end was Faith, arm and reliant, at the BILE
n Charity, protecting little child ito
Sc are only few samples of the charm: ane
displays made by our gallant fremen.- ira
CINE about thirty engines, hose, car ma
es and trucks, literally covered with val
'ets' wreaths and flowers, with liberal sur
lay of ribbons, streamers, flags and if fl
'ers, some of the finest horses in the the
III, and about three thousand strong. and
st and solderly looking men, in neat boo
'rms, bands Of splendid music, and
,hall's rid; mr. ~ o,l g..