The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-01-01

MUSKETRY, MUSIC AND MILITARY
A Magnificent Column Handsomely Hsrshsled
But Neither Riot BoedsAed Nor Dsunkenness
- come to tine New.
Last night will never be forgotten by
any one of the vast throng that partici-
pated in or witnessed the magnificent
ceremonies with which Cincinnati babe
farewell to the year that marked the
first century Of our country's history,
and WELDON ed in the one that opens the
secpnd.S The occasion was one that de-
served every tribute that could possibly
be paid it, and we are safe in saying that
the Queen City, which originated the
idea Of such celebration, stands first
in the magniicence and grandeur with
which she carried 1t out. The streets
were everywhere thronged, and it
seemed that the people of all our sub
urbs and neighboring cities had come III,
and all Cincinnati had prepared to de-
vote the night to the jamboree.
What was most remarkable was the
good order that everywhere prevailed.
1t has been long time since SO little
drunkenness was seen in Cincinnati on
New Years night. The procession,
which was one Of the largest ever wit
messed in this country, was most orderly
and well behaved, and among the crowd
that filed every street, sidewalk and
square scarcely drunken man was to
he seen. This result is highly creditable
to the authorities, whose promptness to
quell the most remote attempt at rowdy-
ism was observable whenever there was
the semblance OF need for their SER
vices; but it is most Of all fact to be
recorded to the honor OF our city, whose
whole people can unite in such cele-
bration and carry out in all its details a
programme like that OF last night with
sucn good order as to astonish even
those of our citizens who have the best
acquaintance and best opinions Of the
people who make up the population Of
cincinnati.
Early in the evening the people began
to leave their homes and rushed in
swarms and droves to the points along
which the procession was to pass, and
by eight O'Clock the principal thorough
fares and street corners were alive with
good-natured, pushing and expectant
gatherings, which rendered navigation
next to impossible. The air was balmy
as a night in June.
The small boys were out in full force,
making a hideous din with fre-crack er s
and horns. Bonfres cast their fitful
glare upon the scene; colored lights in
hundreds of places burned brilliantly.
Noise everywhere. Every drum that
could he found In the city was brought
out, and placed in the hands Of those
whose physical vigor could hold out
longest in beating them. The ear-pierc-
ing fife, playing every imaginable tune
from "Oid Hundredv to 'sWe won't 20
60 home till morning." was heard ON eY-
cry block.
A constant stream Of men, women
and children moved up and down, wait
ing for the trouble to begin. The sa-
looms, brilliantly lighted up, were filed
with thirsty customers. By 10 O'Clock
the steps Of the Custom-house were
filled; an hour earlier the Esplanade
was jammsd with mass of excited hu-
manity.
1t is safe to say that not less than
40, 900 people were gathered within the
blocks ceItering at the corner of Fourth
and Vine. Along the line of march
thousands of windows were hoisted,
from which the ladies gazed down with
animated faces upon the Pandemonium
But the nolse That never ceased for a
moment. Yells from throats that were
fast becoming hoarse made the welkin
ring; sky-rockets shot heavenward from
all points OF the compass, and in quick
succession. A'.'-
The barrels suffered. Every corner
showed up q bright light, showing of
the moving panorama to good adyan-
tage. AS the time approached for the
procession to move, great curiosity was
manifest as to what sort OF a jamboree il
would be anyhow. But erybody was
in such excellent humor that II it hadn't
hove in sight until plumb daylight they
would have stuck; all seemingly made
up their mind to make night OF 1t,
But the patience of the public was moi
tried, for promptly on time the grand
climax at II O'clock came, and with il
such horrible, discOrdant, deyilish, bu
not disagreeable din, ensued, that likely
never viii be heard again. 1t wasn'
confined to any particular part or local
| ity. From every street, alley and cor
ner, there arose one mlght!y OVer-poWer
ing and tumultuous s0unu, which min
glin9in one grand burst, made the verJ
earth tremble with it's reverberations.
All things and persons conspired II
| lend a hand. Steamboat whistles, can
non, screeching locomotives, tin norns
leather lungs, sleigh bells, church bells
dinner bells, drums, IRON cellar doors
husky voices, martial lands, Chimes,
crackers, Roman candles, beer glasses
gongs, anyils, brass bands, calliopes
and every other conceivable hu
man invention that could smit
! the ear were sounded at the suprem
| moment that told the tale that tn
| wear 1875 was numbered with the dead
4 ana that the Centennial New Year wa
| born. When the fire-bell at the No.
Engine-house rang out on the midngh
air
the head OF the column had reached To
heart OF the city. where tens Of thou
sands OF people. joyous ants excited
Ewere eagerly watching its approach.
THE PROCESSION.
| Heading the pageant were footmen 4
juniform beering brilliant torches, IL
4 tto A., advnnna lof nHoGh -MeQrue. Ghif