New-York tribune., 1878-10-23
THE GREATCATHEDRALF FAIR.
IT'S FORMAL OPENING BY THE CARDINAL.

| The Catholic Far at the New CatheuId III
Fifth-ave, was formally opened last evening
with addresses by Cardinal McClOskey, Mayor
Ely and VIcar-General Quinn. Every inch Of stand
ing room in the Cathedral occupied, aud 1t was
| estimated that 10000 persons pres
ent. Among these were the clergy of ell
the Catholic churches in the city. and
many persons well known in political and social life
Many of the tables were handsomely decorated. and
were attended by richly dressed ladies.
SCENES AT THE OPENING CEREMONIES.
Before nightfall the crowd began to gather
about Cathedral whose lofty stained glass windows
were brought rto strong relief against duskY mass
Of the building by the lights within. Al q
| o'clock the doors opened, and for three hours
the doorkeepers maintained hand to hand struggle
with the besieging thrOng, TO save themselves
| from being borne along by the inhowng tide
| OF eager sght-seers Many after forcing their
way 10 the doors on Ftetfst. compelled to 90 to
the Fth-ave side OF the Cathedral 10 purchase tlckes
At times the police unable 70 cope with the crowd
and their only TO force back portion OF
the dense mass which threatened TO break down the
temporary causeway that led to the door Standing at
the door on Fiftieth-st groups Of hurryng per
| sons could be seen for blocks away intent on
| reaching the fair at the earliest moment For Two
| hours the crowd poured into the Cathedral. and
] once within all seemed to move as with a
! common impulse toward the platform which had
! been erected A large number OF police under tho
charge OF Captain Ryan endcavored 10 keep
| the crowd in check but their efforts were
! almost fruitcss The assemblage in the ear
lier hours Of tho evening came mainly from
the East Side. II was noisy, turbulent. lrrepies
sIble but goodnltured. Its curiosity was bound
less and was Rratifed with no regard to
the convenience or taste OF other sight-seers
Later moro cultured element was introduced aud late
in the evening the srangest gathering was presented
Richly dressed ladies aud gentlemen were jasued by
yorkmen and their wives in holiday attire; capital aud
labor frateruzed for hour in tue common enjoyment
OF the great spectacle
To one who stood upon the floor Of the Cathedral, the
great number present not apparent One could only
gain an adequate idea Of its density by trying TO force
way through the solid mass IL was no exaggCrduon
70 say tnat there not an inch Of
staudlng room unoccuped II estimated that
fully 10000 people were admitted before O'Clock
All the asles were packed. The semblance Of motion
was kept up in both dlrecuons but II exceedingly
slow II was idle to attempt 10 force ones against
the prevailing current All counter movements seemed
e. merge into one common impulse toward the platform
About this the crowd wedgcd IN for twenty ieet
50 that to get through 10 was akin TO miracle.
Even the police could not make a lane when
q clergyman a distinguished laymin arrived II took
Just twenty minutes OF strenuous pushing TO make
way from the Fitcth-st door TO the platform, Dis
tance OF not over hundred feet
Once upon the platform the real magnitude of the
crowd suddenly upon the spectator vast sea OF
upturned faces met the while through the Inr ai
the aide could be seen those unable approach
De,rcr No similar crowd has been IN this city
since the great throng that gathered IN Union square on
the night OF July T. 1876 The largest politl-
cal meetings last year were dwaricd by
this assemblage. At o'clock Graiulh's IN
Regiment Band struck mp Gouuod's march, The
the dhrieui parlshcs sSgenGed ths p1i'in ~, & ns1
~ mman beings would sweep over the stage
and rUyulf me di.tIngtt,.lrd guests Finally,
order restored. ln measure. ana thc OirIh
of Montreal. asccuded the platform. Among those who
were seated around him were Father IL sag, the
Arohbshop's secretary Wear General quinn,
Bishop COuroy. OF Albany; President ANTHONY, of
Manhattan College; Father H. McDowrii, OFarr'li'
Dounelly. McCready. Fuol Duccv, Na"us ot Montreal,
FIrfrIy, Hrily, MgCurc and l;carcu; Jonn kelIv,
Aucustus Srhcil = N ~. .lmun, Iau lA'rr fr'-,drht
Conmiss inucr Mattrrw H. Brennan, aud others.
vtys Augu.,us 7rncIl flushed but bcauinG Win good
nature. WAS hau.cd iu from the crowd at tne
GWctod 10 a posi of honor. John Kelly made ms
way through ph1any oi women and clmoci uloh tIe
lady was rescued from the cru.h about the sase aud
was conspicuous the only lady upon tno Platform.
vICAE-GaSRRAL QUINN's REMARKS.
Soon after o'clock. ycar-Gonoral Quinn stepped for
ward on the platform and said:
LADIES ASD GESTLEMES-Ihc Work ot preparation In
which you nave uern ,n-acrd Tor -r'e."i mouths a.u
]
siv 4. brought 10 termination Wear" gathered I0I 'nr
nrst time IN ta5 magnificent hmldiu- Year
lad. and in those wear. you lave mover failed
10 atd in the work no" 30 near - connie
could not expect 10 De heard ny tins ya-i assembly
have only 90 oHrr nv conghtnht 9he ON iur wore 'S &
comuIishrd The Honorable ihr Mayor Ul NtN 1nTh
hus uudy cous,ntrd tuo auira oicc OF The city
10 opcl THIS gfc.t o1zaaF with an address
TIE M,YoI's ADDRESS.
wovor Ely then delivered the following address:
LADIES AND GrSTllME,: I eau only cay ta1t uu
extremely happy tc meet WIN lou uis evening 20 BE-
ISL a the 'S5S 81 cam ,' b".i "".i n III" the SS DO.
session II thi, ain that size indeed u"''r--rs
c"ptiDrnt IApplaus,.l Asa Ncv-Yoracr hy" watched
with deep interest NJ progress if"m lh 3 ~ n sHt cor
nestonc iis prc}ht compct'uct Win rs rob." po
portions SCALING arches it, snaclou lus its spires
pon ing to Heaven, lt appeals o. th, higher ana liter
elements Of human uatufr, and inc'r ~ "a me ness
10 increase tnOrtb iof ihe hrcidng o devotion nI
chaily. Great credit Is due to those VINO Im'o erected
this pile. It's rrhnns influence upon th' po. o"ino
be overestimacd IN tins vast as.enhl tr am x "a
city and shows nov truly iraternai are our srut
patmes. Applause. / commend 10 y"n all aHd
to your klnd iIbrI'iilty TINS fair In conclusion.
my rewarded with that shall exceed t.eir
most sanguine expectations
THE cARDINAI's ADDRESS.
Cardinal McClosky then said few words. follows
do not intend my dear friends, To attempt the i'm
possible task making myself heard by tis vast con
! course assembled here before me. l rso only TO
press In my name and iu tho name
of All here present and especially IN the uaue OF tue
lad cs OF this fair heartfelt thanks 10 his Honor. the
MAYOR OF this city, who graccs this occasion with hls
prrseuCe have to thank you ali for The interest that
you show by your presence here tnis evening, ana !
think that It Will continue To be shown IA prdotchl
manner in the progress OF this far IN the hbundnt
patronage that you give che tar upon which much
! time and labor have been spent 10 make Il
worthy Of the great ooeot to which has been devoted
This Is not work pleasure but work OF true
charity religion II IL proper for me, holding the
/ position 1 do, TO invoke GODS blessing upon
| this fair, upon all who TO pLtrOuZe
Il and upon all inc citizens OF this great city ana conn
| try. MAY tho blessing OF God Almighty Father Son
aud Holy Ghost, descend upon you aud roman with you
| forever.