The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-02-23
Yestcrday's Celebration.


An unusual display of public interest COM
memorating the birthday of the man '.frst in
war, first in peace and first in the hearts of his
countrymen," marked yesterdays celebration
in this city. BY common consent the princi-
pal branches of business suspended operations.
What our State law has made legal holiday
in regard to payment of notes and bills, our
citizens made gala day by closing their ware
houses and decorating oil public and many
private edifces with the bright Stars. and
Stripes of the national banner. Sunrise saw
the emblem Of American Independence raised
by the Veterans of 1912 on the old fort in
Central Park, and as the morning advanced all
the shipping at the wharves hoisted full suits
of flags, signals and streamers, girting the
city with line of brightest hues. Every
where the Red, White and Blue futtered to the
breeze, and the city wore the inspiriting appear
ance which few years ago marked the march
Of some favorite corps to the defence of the
Union or its return after deeds of
heroism and devotion. Courts and public
offices were generally closed. Artillery
salutes were fred from the forts. Trinity
chimes pealed q selection of patriotic airs. A
general recognition marked the day as one
dear to the American people. Two civic asso-
Citations had parades with attractive displays
of music and banners. The Order of United
American Mechanics formed in Broadway,
near the Astor House, marched past the
HERALD Office and through the City Hall
Park, where they were reviewed by the Mayor
and Common Council The appearance of
the organization, turning out in large force,
decorated with the national colors and carry
ing q profusion of the national flags, was
such as to elicit hearty applause from the
dense crowds filling the sidewalks and win
dows all along the line of march, and accom-
panying the column till it disbanded at WASH
ington's monument in Union square. Gather
ing in Washington square the American
Protestant Association marched through seve-
raj streets and was dismissed at Lincoln's
monument, Union square. Besides these
parades there were gatherings of many mill
tary and civic bodies. The Veterans of 1872
with their ladies, were entertained by the
Sixth regiment, the Boulevard Club had
appropriate exercises, the Seventh, Eighth and
Seventy-frst regiments had social receptions,
the French residents gave select invitation
ball at Gsrmania Assembly Rooms, orations
essays'and poems were recited by the pupils
in Cooper Institute, and the New York State
banquet in honor Of the illustrious "Savior
Of his Country" who was one of the earliest
members of the Order Fine weather favored
the celebration. The streets were thronged
during the whole day with well-dressed
pleasure seekers New York and the adjoin-
ing cities presented all the pleasant features
of Fourth of July, without its explosive
drawbacks. Similar celebrations are reported
in most of the cities and large towns Of the
Republic. We note with qualification the I'M
wonted honor thus accorded to Washington's
Birthday by the common and spontaneous
action of the people. It shows that in spite
of monstrous fraud and corruption in high
places the great mass Of the nation reveres the
puritv of character and inhexibility of patriot
ism which were embodied in our great Gen.
eral and model Civic Executive The heart
Of the people is sound. 1t appreciates worth
in authority, and will judge its trusted SER
wants by the high standard Of the leaders who,
tried in the struggles of the Revolution,
brought to the early councils of the confederacy
absolute honesty and unstained honor.
America to-day requires of her public men
the virtues Of Washington. She will punish
those who have brought disgrace upon her
and dishonor to the memory of the pure
founders of our government.
The BLAcKwELL's ISLAND SCHEME. -There
is disposition to renew the proposition for
the removal of the prison and hospital build
....-. f.,.,. I2lo olr.uall,a Warda and Randall'a