The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1876-03-01

citywill be Eraciously received and cheer:
fully granted, and that your Honor will
allow our decree, 'Let Joy be uncon6nedd,'
to-day 10 beenforced in every household,
rich and poor, throughout this city.
With the kindliest greetings Of His
Highness' our King, and Of his loyal sub
jects, the Knights Of Mystery, we await
your Honor's most gracious pleasure and
consideration. :,
His Honor Mayor Sweeney, who stood
upon the stone wall at the north Of the
Court House steps, delivered the follow
ing address Of welcome:
For the first time in the history Of this
city, an ancient spectacle is to be presented
within her walls. For the first time many
Of our citizens are to witness the entrance
into a city Of the Carnival King and his
Mystic Krewe, in masquerade and snowy
costume, bringing feast OF fun and How
Of jollity.
In European countries, and in many oil
the cities Of this nation, the sight Is not a
new one, and where known the occasion
each year attracts more and more atten'
ton, and assumes greater Importance
when properly observed.
When and where the custom oil celebra-
ting in any manner the day or period be.
fore the lenten season may have origina-
ted, and why, is not known TO me, but |
am informed that It's object and intention
Is to induce fun, friyolity, joke and laugh.
ter, provoked in many, but innocent and
harmless ways.
The lack on the part OF our citizens Of
correct understanding OF what the
pageant Is, and what its conduct is 10 be,
has created in the minds Of some fear
that the city is to be given over for this
day, to lawlessness, riot, drunkenness and
outrage. The fear may be dismissed.
His mirthful Majesty has too we'll in.
structed his loyal and obedient courticrS
as to their conduct and cannot permit
the fun and enjoyment belonging to the
occasion to be marred by unbecoming
practices. The Court may he splendidly
mounted on war.like mules; that is not
unlawful. Citizens may be captured and
compelled to ride in carriages; that is not
riot and It is not outrage TO pelt ladies
with candies, sugar kisses and bon.bons.
So we'll am ! assured Of the truly law
abiding and order loving principles oil
His Majesty's government, that have
especially enjoined upon our keepers OF
The city lookup and prison, the emf
nent propriety Of furnishing prompt
Accommodations to any, whether
hangers on OF the Court, or outside
barbarians who shall presume by drunk
enness or otherwise to violate the wise
laws which govern the realms Of Menus,
we'll knowing that We all agree that lib
erty to indulge in relaxation and amuse.
ment does not mean license 10 commit
excessee; andour established and efficient
guardians Of the peace have proper Or
ders to prevent abuses OF the privileges
granted.
When the authorities Of any city are
called upon to deliver her keys to royal
prince, II is her right 10 stipulate for
terms Of surrender. On receiving the
first notice from His Majesty's Prime
Ministers that the demand just made
would be presented, an opportunity &C.
CURED for consulting some Of the grave
and reverend seigniors who constitute
the Council Of the city. The Mayor was
promptly advised to comply with the re-
quests madein the paper then submitted
TO them, but was expressly enjoined to
propose asa condition that the honorable
members Of the Council aforesaid should
not be victims Of any practical joking.
To you, sir, as Envoy Extraordinary and
Minister PlenipOtentiary Of His jolly
Mightiness this stipulation is made
known, for report to him.
As for our learned judges, our portly
sergeant and handsome clerks Of the city
and courts, our superintendants and COM
missioners and other officers, they are
given over to the. tender mercies OF the
Mystic Knew, who should deal SO gently
with them that they "may live long and
be happy"
Convey, sir, to His Majesty, "Rex," the
King OF the carnival, our dutiful an
acknowledgements Of loyalty, and our fer
vent hope that the pleasures and enjoy
ments OF our citizens, derived from his
visit this year, may induce hearty well
come to his coming hereafter.
Fully assured Of the pleasant inten-
tons Of the Royal Court to give us a
day Of relaxation from the heavy bur-
dens Of business and dull care, and that
even the most fastidious may not be of
Tended by the presentation TO the view
Of our staid and dignified citizens the
bright and gorgeous display no doubt
already prepared to accompany its en-
trance into our city, / now contide to
your care the keys OF the city, which,
properly used, will unlock her gates and
open the hearts OF her inhabitants:
THE KEYS OF THE CITY DELIVERED.
The "keys Of the city" in this instance
consisted Of an immense wooden key,
which His Honor at the close OF his ad-
dress handed over to the Counsellor, who
made brief response accepting the re-
sponsibility attendant upon the guardian
ship Of the city, and inviting the Mayor
and City Council to attend banquet TO
be given at the st. James Hotel in the |
evening. Three rousing cheers were
given for Mayor Sweeney and King Rex,
after which His Royal Highness and at
tending knights proceeded by an indirect
route 10 the st. james Hotel, where they
enjoyed an elegant banquet which had
been prepared for them.
FORMING THE PROCESSION.
Shortly after one o'clock squads OF the
Mystic Krewe began crossing the suspen-
sion bridge to the appointed rendezvous
1.-THE Fair Grounds) on the Island, where
the delegation from Bridgeport joined
them. The King having organized his
forces, the column took up the line Of
march. There having been but little
order observed in the coming together, the
order Of the programme was not fully
carried out. In the meantime, during
the gathering Of the clans on the Island,
an immense throng Of people gathered in
the streets near the suspension bridge, all
possessed with the idea that the
first view OF the procession would be the
best. Every elevated point was occupied.
Half grown youths and small boys
tangled from the bridge cables and ropes,