New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-03-05
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
rH1HTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY
THE PARADE YESTERDAY
BEST IN TIL Il |toISAl)
TIE cGTY'S LOCAL HOLIDAY

We believe our fremen showed them
selves upon their parade yesterday to be
the best in the world whether for efficiency
arduous toll, decorum, or any other quality
which serves to distinguish men among
their fellow mortais. Formed into an asso-
citation about thirty-tive years ago, the FIRE
men of New Orieaus have grown into a
powerful body, which now represents the
yeomanry Of the land. Their annual
parades have been the occasion OF pubic
rejoicing; their funerals have afforded op-
portunlty for regrets. The popular heart
has invariably beaten in unison with their
own. and the popular wish is for their con
tinutd prosperity. In their organization
the leading men OF our city have from time
to time been members, and on their rolls
there is scarcely a man who has become
distinguished in the commercial or political
world whose name cannot be found.
The department has grown with the
growth and strengthened with the strength
of the city. The day that sawits first asso-
citation of companies is yet remembered as
one wherein the city took new start, and
within the period measured by the union of
the fire companies is embraced all that be-
longs to the prosperity Of New Orleans as a
commercial city. On the books OF each
company may be found record of fires
which each has attended and extinguished,
and in these statistics alone, even were they
given like a dictionary without any setting
or frame, one can find the unwritten history
of this noble order of useful men. The disci
pline is excellent. No indecency or disor-
der is permitted within their meetings.
Their officers are obeyed like autOcrats
it may be a tritie OF dispute occasionally
arises. but it is soon quoted by the good
sense of TIE members. Among the foremen
we have none of those disgracetul rows
which have marrcd the quiet of other cities
or spread a noisome reputation for bad
order abroad.
The pageant yesterday was the theme of
universal discussion among the individual
members and their friends for the previ-
Gus ten days On the anatomy of each
eng gine all that the art of punishment could
do was done. Fair ladies and mothers,
who have the best appreciation OF fire
men $ labors. united in their handwork to
lay the ornamental on the useful: TO crown
the engines muscles and nerves in wreeths
and laurels: to make the engine chimney
blossom like a hriar hedge in May: to curl
the gayest ribbons about the wheels:
bedizen the cylinder. brakes and boilers, and
fling around every implement of safety the
charm of artistic beauty. Nov. as the day
drew near when the department was to
exhibit Its strength and glory. yesterday
all anticipati0ns were realized, and for
hours the popular eye followed the move
ments of this body in deep interest, and
the popular pride sounded its echo al the
heart OF every exhibition Of favor given
from grateful motives throughout the
course OF the anniversary celebration.
At eleven o'clock, OF the sounding of
twelve taps Of the bell, the procession be-
gan to move, led by the following general
officers:
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