The New York herald., 1876-03-18
ST. PATRICK'S DAY.
How the Irish Population Celebrated
Their National Holiday.
THE GRAND PARADE.
Thirty Thousand Sons of the Soil
Reviewed by the Mayor.
NUMEROUS BANQUETS.

To the surprise OF many, to the qualification of
least 400 900 souls this city the weather yester
day proved auspcious for the celebration the great
festival OF st. Patrick On the night preceding tho
rain fell in torrents and the prospects OF those in
tending take part in the procession were anything
but encouraging. Indeed it generally anticipated
that the surroundings would sadly the parade for
which such extensive preparations had been made,
but the bright sun which shone forth refugcntly at
dspelled all doubts, and the demonstration
was accordingly awaited with renewed interest
Never on any previous occasion the day
more enthusiastically observed 1t determined
hat as this the centennial year the display should
be unusually grand Irish citizens being not only
devoted to their patron saint and cherIshng tender
recolectons of the gem OF the sea but patriotic in re-
gard the land OF their adoption Throughout the city
evidences Of the festive on every hand,
and although at early stage strong msgvings were
entertained in respect the weather the subsequent
;earing up OF that important element brought out the
extensive exhibition OF bunting and other decorations
bold relief Feelings OF animation and mirth sue
seeded of dependency and regret and altogether
he celebration compared favorably with that of years
rome by. Thousands Of people thronged the
streets from till dusk OF course the main at
traction doors the annual procession, which, 1t
is needless say is always looked forward TO with
pleasurable anxiety while banquets and balls the
evening brought the celebration TO enjoyable close.
A general holiday observed among tho Irish pop
uation OF the city, and nothing occurred to interfere
In any way with the agreeable associations of the
sasion.
PROCESSION
Undeterred by the incessant rain the several organi
cations announced to participate in the grand parade
wended their way to their different headquarters
comparatively early hour. In all directions might be
members OF the Ancient Order of Hiber-
mans and the of the gallant Sixty
ninth rapidly proceeding to their respective rem
devious aud although great of processionists
had to be promptly congregated there less confu
zion than might be expected in concluding the prclim
mary preparations for the demonstration One O'Clock
the hour at which the procession was move
but the immense multitude which had congregated in
the vicinity Of the starting point rendered progress no
easy task. Grand Marshal Reilly ands his aids took up
their position the southeast OF Twenty third
street and Second avenue shortly after eleven O'CLOCK,
and each organization arriving at that point was
assigned place prior to falling INTO marching order.
When length all the various bodies had reported the
nnal order to given at two o'clock,
and amid ringing cheers the procession started
1t led by the Broadway and mounted
squads, followed by the Sixty ninth regiment under
command of Colonel Cavanagh, their line military ap-
pearance and precision exciting general attention The
streets were densey packed, housetops were crowded.
and indeed, every possible spot from which view
could be obtained eagerly taken possession OF.
Excellent order preserved, the spectators in
the best OF humor and the services of the police,
ept keep back the pressing multitude, scarcely
brought into requsition. Once under way the scene
became Of the most enlivening character. The
band the head OF each organization struck up the
most spirited airs and many stout heart beat in
auison the sounds Trumpet and drum At this time
he weather all that could be desired and although
marching, owing to the condition of the Streets was
attended with unpleasantness the great body OF
men who honored the memory OF Ireland's patron
stepped forth briskly and splendid order The
procession presented imposing spectacle and failed
many stages Of the elicit the hcartiest
snoomiums from the bystanders and frequently loud
bursts OF appreciation. The banners OF the Ancient
Order OF Hbernians, who were represented in large
orce aud the chaste and handsome emblems OF the
religious and temperance societies, we'll the char
lctersuc colors OF the young cadets to nothing of
bountful display, formed pretty and a
very harmonious picture The fine physique
Of the processionists too, called forth praise-
worthy comment And It was noteworthy
throughout that from beginning to end there very
htte lett for the cynic to expand himself upon. In
aeed II was the universal opinion OF those who have
Witnessed similar events IN previous that more
orderly respectable and representative procession of
the kind has rarely taken place IL was estimated that
between 2 and 80 900 men took part IN the parade
The order OF march was rigdly observed As soon as
The sixty ninth passed the right Of the civic bodies
zach society fell into column and proceeded down
twenty third street N First avenue down First avenue
10 Second street, along Second street TO the Bowery
Here was gathered immense assemblagc and. there
being plenty of room, the procession to ad
vantage. The surroundings exceedingly auspi-
rlous and progress being unimpeded the well organ
lied mass moved rapidly onward amid the hvelest and
most inspiring strains on the one hand
other The procession wheeled into Canal
street along Canal to Centre and down Centre to the
of In Hall Par ali flo ont
MANY houses handsomely decorated with appro-
pirate emblcms, and SO lar not single discordant
element marked the event
THE REVIEW
Perhaps on no previous occasion OF the kind was
there such immense gathering In the vicinity OF the
City Hall as on yesterday. For hours the patient
hrong awaited the arrival OF the procession, and in
The interval many joke was passed along the line
This was considered TO be about the most available
place for good OF the spectacle, and accordingly
the steps OF the City Hall, from which the Mayor and
Common Council werc to review the procession, were
densey crowded Admirable arrangements were
made by the police authorities, that no disorder or
occurred The City Halt was gayy decked with
bunting conspicuous among the flags beng one with
the harp Erin. The Mayor accompanied by several
members of the Common Council, descended the steps
the City Hall and took their accustomed places, and
the martial strains that broke upon the ear an
nounced that the procession was at hand Among the
large number OF onlcaIs present were Comptroller
Andrew H. Green and Commissioner Brennan. A large
torce OF police succeeded In restraining the impulses OF
The surgng and the space beng clear the head
Of the column wheeled through the eastern gate. A
correct idea could now be formed OF the imposing
pageant as marched past excellent style the entire
time being exactly one hour The order follows
with the sixiy ninth regiment at the 'front.'
Ancient Order Of IlIbernans thirty.hve divisions.
Ancient Order Hiberninns, Queens - Marshal,
James Monaghan; Aids, william Wall Michael Coleman,
Andrew Mcnrry. John Carroll; right resting le of
o. H.. New York.
Emerald nohcial AssociaOnMarShal Thomas Powers;
Aid Patrick McDonncli right resting on eit OF A. o. H.
Queens county
81 Gnbriei's r. c. T. A. n. society-Marshal. John Cap
leas: Aids Nicholas scott John Coeman right resting
left Of Emerald Beneficial Association.
ST Colunba's 4. T. A n. Soclety-MRrshal, John Gay
nor; Aids Peter Shenn, Michael Dunn; right resting
lett OF St Gabrierr n. q. II. A. b. Society
St Vincent foucrs r. c. y. A. B SQcioty-Marshal
Thomas J. Dunn: Aids James Okeefe, Michael OBren,
Patrick Binney right resting on left Of ST. Columbas r. e.
T. A. B society
Holy innocents' r. c. T. A. b. socety--Marshal John
Carroll: Aids Patrick Mcdonnell, Charles Havrrin James
Quinn. Patrick Mnigzn, Patrick Lernan. Owen Hughes
Henry McCann right resting ON let Of 81 Vincent ferer