Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-07-20
LETTER FROM CALIFORNIA.
SAN Francisco, July 10th, 1871

SAN FRANCISCO, July 10th, 1871.
To the Editor Of the Journal:
On Sunday the I'd inst, there was present
ed in this city. pageant such as is seldom |
witnessed in the cities of America-a grand re- |
ligious procession in commemoration of the |
25th anniversary of the accession of Pho Mono |
to the Papal throne.
Early in the day the streets were alive with |
those who were to take part in the proceed
ings. The Catholic spirit was thoroughly |
aroused to a sense of the Importance of the
day. Railroads and steamboats, brought in |
deputations from the Catholic churches and |
societies all over the State. The procession |
was estimated to have number IL, 900 persons
1t extended over three miles in length, was |
an hour and three quarters passing given
point, and was one of the grandest, though
not the largest ever witnessed in this city. A
very noticeable feature of it was nineteen tri-
umphal cars each car representing a century,
and filed with twenty -tive young girls dressed
alike in white with head-dresses of orange,
(the Pontifcial colors) representing the twen-
ty-fve years of the Pope's reign. Over the
heads of the girls was suspended in each car
banner, on both sides of which was printed
the names of the Popes who had reigned dur
ing the century that that car represented.
They came in reverse order, No. - first.
Then followed grand car containing thirty
one persons representing the number of ma
tons where the Catholic religion is recog-
nized, and bearing the words ''Cnivers&liry Of
the Catholic church. She claims all r@ees as
her children" Two open express wagons
, bearing on their sides the words ''CG1trlbE-
/. tons to the Holy Father. passed one On each
. side of the street. From the elevation saare I
stood could see inside them, and although
the generosity of California is proverbial, and
the procession had passed over one half Of its
route, / noticed that one wagon contained
not ''red," the other only five half dollars
fact that would seem to argue that all good
: Catholics were in the procession, or that those
who were not were in such financial condi-
ton as to conclude to let His Holiness the
, Pope take care of himself
J The head of the procession halted at the
Mechanics pavilion, large building covering
a whole square of ground, which had been
previously decorated jointly by the Catholics
and the committee of arrangements for the
4th of July, where, after the house was filled,
the audience was addressed BY the orator OF the
day. While the Grafton was being delivered
aids busted themselves passing around contri-
button boxes-and al its conclusion dispatch
was read as follows:
San Francisco, July I'd, 1871.
To His Holiness, Plus Ninth, Rome
Fifty thousand Of your devoted children
celebrate here to-day, with enthusiastic Joy
the twenty fifth anniversary Of your poniihe-
ate, and wishing your life prolonged TO eee
the states of the church and your freedom re
stored. Kneeling, they ask your apostolic
, blessing. ALEMAxY, Archbishop.
The exercises closed with grand and i'm
pressive music by sixty voices selected from
g the best in the city, accompanied by appropri-
ate instruments. In the evening there was a
= grand illumination at all the Catholic asylums,
It converts, churches and private residences.
h The Fourth was celebrated here less
>, boisterously, but with quite as much enthusi-
,e asm as usual. The day was all that could
Of have been desired-sunny, but with high,
4 cool westerly wind, which at once served to
III keep all comfortable, to lessen the quantity
~ of fluids usually required, and to shake out
II the Stars and Stripes which hung from near.
IS ly every window, housetop and flagstaff, AM
q causing the city to put on her holiday attire
!, The procession was very fine and well man
5 aged. new and original feature this year