The New York herald., 1879-09-19
SAN FRANCISCO ENPECIANI.
The People in State Of Enthusiasm
and Suspense.
GRANT HOURLY EXPECTED.
Speculation About the Date OF
the Arrival.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD ]

SAN Francisco. Sept 49, 1879.
The city has been in o ferment of excitement for
several days past. preparing for the reception of
General Grant. The great fear has been
that he might arrive and take every
body unawares. Tuesday. the 10th. was there
fore fixed upon for the Generals arrival.
but he came not. Then Wednesday came, but
City of Toxic. Now Thursday is here. and flags are
flying and the city population have forsaken their
domices and taken to the Streets but still there is
no Grant. Fears are now entertained that the City
of Toxic will not arrive until Sunday. aud the clergy
with concert protest against reception that
day. The suspense this evening is intense.
STREET DECORATIONS
The city presents u gay and animated appearance.
The streets thronged, the buildings covered
with flags or festooned with part-colored drapery.
while tens of thousands Of small flags arch
the streets, producing unique effect.
The line of entry from tho ferry at
tho foot of Market street. where the distinguished
visitor will be received, to Baldwin's Hotel mile
in length, presents animated scene. nearly every
building being decorated Montgomery and Kear-
ney streets are similarly dressed. while
Pine. Sansome and California streets are
bright with colors. Pictures of every size and char
acter. from the full length in oil to Photographic
busts. numerous. and some of them by no means
Aattering to the personal appearance of General
Grant. yet all are intended to be complimentary.
The tout ensemble however. is very fine and the
best possible humor prevails. Banners float from
all the fagstaffs the public buildings hotels and
stores.
TRIUMPHAL SYMBOLS
There is triumphal arch in New Montgomery
street, between the Palace and Grand hotels.
The columns are draped with colored cloth
and the arch is surmounted by a picture
supported each side by allegorical figures of War
and Peace. Upon the facade fronting the market
are the words Welcome Grant" wrought in natural
roses. which produce good effect. Shields bearing
the inscription Welcome Home adorn the corners
or the supporting pillars, whilc upon the New
Montgomery street facade is an inscription. 'Let
Us Have Peace" with appropriate allegorca figures
San Francisco never has worn such animated
appearance since tho Centennial celebration. Even
then the demonstration lacked the enthusiasm evoked
upon this occasion. The weather is charming and the
people, after the election excitement regard this
festive occasion in which they may bury all sspori-
ties. and in which fireworks and electric lights figure
regardless of expense The citizens resolved to
make this reception superior in its most striking
features any foreign ovation rendered to General
Grant.
ALL CLASSES ENTHUSIASTIC.
AL classes Of citizsns join in the demonstration.
The blue and gray fraternize and have sworn
dying fealty. They have joined hands aud
stepped into line to do honor to the great
soldier of whom it may be said truthfully,
"Invincibe in war, magnanimous in peace" Nothing
could exceed the cordaty of veterans Of the Union
and Confederate armies upon this occasion. meet
ing of the veterans OF both armies federal and
foderate to take part in the demonstrations seemed
moro like . love feast than anything else.
KEARNEY SOMEWHAT sUBDUED.
Kearney has very considerably taken himself out
Of town. to be absent at "the springs" during the
stay of the great captain. and it is not little his
torically amusing that the federal and Confederate
veterans will, on the evening of the Generals ar
rival fire q national salute from that sand lot on
which Kearney threatened to hang and burn him in
efigy.
TOXIC.
Like all disappointments the non-arrival on Tues
day of the City of Toxic has to be accounted for.
Some people have apprehendcd an accident, but
there is no reason for such surmise. She is not
really due until Sunday 21st and her earlier
pected arrival the sort Of wish that Is usually
the father of the thought. The City of Toxic was
put in the best possible condition before leaving
Yokohama. was furnished with the best coal
and Commander Maury was expected to
be ambitious to make quick trip. 1t turns
out however. that he had special instruc-
tions whatever and would be guided by the usual
regulations of consumption Of fuel and many
miles per day. Those who know the construction Of
the City Of Toxic and her sister ship, the City of
Peking fully satisfied that she cannot shorten her
regular time by steaming. 1t is notorious that,
owing to the vibration and constant risk of
loosening the rivets she IL an iron ship,
her engines cannot be worked to anything like their
highest capacity. The only chance of speedy voyage
is by running up north and catching the strong
westerly winds or this season. This would enable
the City Of Toxic to her great spread of
to advantage. Hopes entertained that Captain
Maury has taken this course and will arrive In ad-
vance Of the schedule time SO she is expected at any
moment, and yet may not come till Saturday or sun