The New York herald., 1876-07-04
THE CROWDS.

make Tue procession the graNuest ever Ueore seen IN
the city. The people may not have been ali in actual
line, but they were not Tar on 10 the numberiess
the streets and along the east side and
side tho procession was much . reality
those who Jammed together on the side
walks along the route Thousands of young and old
in the open air in these streets and avenues
all impressed thai there something going In
which they participating and all enjoying the oc
casion in their own way. News OF the parade was
carried from lip to lip, and the procession, If not seen
at all events descanted upon with endless variety
OF criticism as to its greatness. Not even in the
time, when the c.ty's heart was much excited
was there such display by the people. Everybody
had some vague idea OF duty that Was incumbent on
him Of requsition Tor bodily appearance in testi
mony OF centennial patriotism. and SO men, women
and children turned out by the thousand to swell the
outburst OF the reJocings There was no hesitation
no wavering eXcusing no fear that as every body
else there nobody else was wanted The whole city
may be sand to have had share in the parade, neither
with the exception OF the scsulcent, gaudy patriot
who generally leaves 'that OF thing" for other
people, excepting tho foreign mpo taon, who IN
sucn matters Is generally TOOL Along the streets
through which the procession passed there crowds
of human beings welded together SO tightly that loco
motion was well nigh an impossibiiity At the princi-
pal places along the route solid masses OF people were
TO be patiently waiting the splendid pageant
that pass. and bearing with unexampcd iorti
tude the excessive heat tney wrrc suffering rom. Al
these points the scenes were surprisingly exciting and
unboundcd enthusiasm was manifested For hours be-
fore the starting the Bowery ana Ihira avenue
filled win the crowds who had como
to enjoy the sights. The gay decor
ations OF the fronts of the houses and the displays
made attract attention in the store windows, with
the never ceasng nunoers that were passing up and
down streets rendered unmistakable the especial
occasion that brought out many thousands OF cit
zens. Dry goods and such but ltte
paronzed but the lager beer saloons and druggists
stores were largely awaited OF TO cool the burning
thirst of pedestrians Great crowds OF men, women
and children might be seen In these cooling depots
struggling TO get chance Tor relic from tho thirst
The night was so warm and Professionalism being a
necessity in order TO the parade, the ladies had to
appear the very lightcst OF garmcnls but even this
did prevent excruciaton of suffering from the
heat, and everywhere tanning and hopping
Of oreheads and heard groans from victims which
only occasloned counter groans from companions. The
sturdles male or female had 70 succumb physically and
TO iall back for needed endurance upon patriotic
devotion to the glorious occasion The sight p escntcd
along the streets altogether novel opc-genuine
manifestation Of ardor gooa citizens to do the cor
rect thing peaceful SUBMISSION TO most unmitigated
annoyance IRON the weather, ebowing and crushing OF
thousands OF ncghbors, pleasant series OF cOugrega
tons among friends and among parties OF ladies and
gentlemen. resolved upon being III The best OF humOr-
peaceiuiness, rejoicing and consciousness OF 'tho
good me coming, re'gnng ana controlling the mul-
titude. The crowd behaved themselves most adinra-
bly,. There seemed to be among them no thought of
i'll will on earth, desire for anybody TO 90 any
where but to heaven hcreafcr-ii any one serious.
longing, lingering thought was traced upoI their
features might be read beyond doubt
being u painting earnest, constant, abiding
straining alter some cooling breezes Whenever.
fresh SOFT breeze did ian crowd there
pcrccptble relief every noticeable and rec
oncillation to the situation at once established The
relief however was neither frequent nor long continued
and the throngs went on. ebowng their way along tho
sidewalks. passing the waiting tmess until finally
warded by sight OF the magnificent procession There
was, III ght be expected, large amount of hard
crushing while the procession its way down the
avenue and especially IN the neighborhood OF Thir.
teenih street. but the reefs IN the dresses OF many hun
dreds OF ladies aud the sqUeczes incidental to
ing of such large crowds were of account when the
glory OF the occasion was remembered, aud there was
grumbling. That the eve OF, Ccnten
nal Fourth comes but once in lifetime seemed
to be the kev-thought to the jublla,ion
evnced under ali circumstances Up along Fifth
the scene was very fine. From the windows OF
the splendid mansions the ewes OF some of New Yorks
iaircst bcamcd down upon the passing show less
interesting Than which was the OF aces along both
the sidewalks There was here stylish array of
sightseers than along the east side avenue crowds
trcm among the iasbionabcs who like to walk along
/ he famous promenade; but there here also the
good natured thousands OF groups of centennial
joy makers all bearing themselves with a pride OF
patriotism commensurate with tue national festival
that being ushered H. In Madison avenue
similar to that on Fh avenue was TO be seen, similar
packing of the sidewalks, similar thronging groups up
and down the street, similar merry laughter and
good natured smiling faces. and a like hearty whole
souec ebuluon OF gladncss and joyful greeting as the
proccssionsis were passing b.. Madison square wns
glorious sight the Mayor of the city upon the
balcony oil the Filth Avenue Hotel in reviewing the
pageant The entire space was covered with solid
mass Of men, women and children, whose straning
gaze sought the hotel Sufgng hther and ththcr as
1t did the vast crowd presented "a strange. almost
starting appearance viewed IRON of the hotel
windows a broad sea oil upturncd iaccs met the eye
not sea OF faces with shadow OF pain anxiety
resting upon IT, but one which was all genial smile
throughout pleasant 10 ooh upon, and suggestive OF
such joyous burst OF cheering as that which
given. The crowds here, though packed together IN
the closest lines. had the good fortune TO be cooled
considerably by the ard OF the open square and en-
joycd the breeze that was circulated from among the
Al tins po mt the crowds were very demoustra
tive and the procession passed along there pre-
scntcd such scene no country ia The world could
EXCEL a. peaceful dcmo nstration. Union square,
always iavorc rendezvous for the multitude when
anything exciting Is taking place, made the choice
ofby lar too many Tor heir share IN the celebration
Ii seemed as II the large numbers who had got pass
ing glimpse OF the procession at point along the
route tarned their steps IN the direction Of the square
TO see the dsbandng OF tue proccssionsts There
not standing room scarcely on any OF the available
places Tor observation, and the rush and crush
tremendous. The women and children had "A rough
time IN endeavoring TO hold themselves on their
feet and protect themselves from beng bruised by
the herce efforts which became necessary for self
defence. There was Intense suffering from the heat,
ana no opportunity TO use any OF the resources which
overheaied people generally seize TO get relief What
with the music the marching the cheering the rush
ing and the crushing the scene here intensely
rops, and hundreds OF people left the place thor.
oushy exhausted condition stu the last OF the pro-
scen aud there was no longer waiting tor
the masIc hour when the glorious Fourth peacd
upon tue nation. Al midnight the square could con
tain no more people In all the streets around thou
sands coming aud gong There seemed to be
fascination for the multitude ~ the birth OF the gori
ors Fourth. As the crowds nocked from all directions
the air was musical with the chimng OF the bells.
The streets were dotted al every pon, with groups
who standing listening TO the music from the
church stcepes aud towers quieter, calmcr feeling
the hurryng thro1gs and the bois,erous
mrth OF the earlier hours IN the streets g. DO
heard In all the houses people at the windows
the stoops listening ior the midngbt peas that
10 announce the great holiday. Long after the
exercises at The square were over The plaza and
rounding streets were pcoped with otcrefs discus ing
The procession, the centennial and The glorious
Fourth. which had come at last Notwithstanding all
the crushing anu the terrible ciboNing at place or
another there dad not appear so far careful obscr
vaiior along the route could discover nor at the
square during the closing scenes single disturbance
or exhibition OF bad temper among the people.
THE ToBCHYIoHT PROCESSION.
The great popular feature of last evenings cele-
braton WAS beyond peradvcnture, the monster torch