The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-12-24
New YORK, Dec. 20, 1879.

NEW YORK, Dec. 20, 1879 +
| Our neighbors in Philadelphia have been
fulfilling the Offices Of hospitality this week in
| superb way. 1t was meet that they should
| complete the series of ovations of which the
worlds hero has been the recipient for the con-
| tinuous period of two years and five months. 1T
was in their city that Gen. Grant received the
magnificent send off which gave eclat to his de-
parture to Europe and his journey round the
the Globe 1t was Philadelphia steamship in
which he sailed, and Philadelphia citizens who
united with heartiest accord in chorus of God
speed when he babe good bye to his native
land. 1t was natural that they should well
come him back again with effusive greetings,
and their salutation was equally credtable to
themselves and to their eminent guest.
The pageant Of Tuesday, the day of his arri-
val was brilliant in the extreme. The process
sion was immense the streets were densely
thronged with men and women, whose ardor
the bleak winds of December could not chill,
flags and emblems waved from the house tops,
the air was vocal with cheers. and the whole
scene was glowingly expressive of the grateful
respect in which the people hold the nations S
benefactor 1t seemed to be the ambition of
the inhabitants of this regal city to excel the
Pacific and the West in the splendor and cor
diality OF their greeting, and though San Fran
cisco and Chicago can do this style of thing
mary ellously well when they give their minds
to it, it is doubtful whether they could have
rivaled, and impossible that they should have
surpassed t his crowning achievement OF the
gallant Philad elphians. There was an earn
estness and fervor about the whole proceeding
that left no doubt of the sincerity with which
the tribute was bestowed. Moreover, there is
no city in the Union that has more abundant
appliances for carrying out such an undertak
ing successfully. The population is much
more homogeneous than that of any other OF
the large towns, and the sentiment of loyalty
has always been strong among them. The
birthplace of American independence is a re-
markably fertile soil in which to cultivate the
graces of patriotism, and Philadelphia out
ranks all her sisters in political steadfastness
and rectitude. Then again the rich men OF
Philadelphia are noted for their liberality and
their readiness to cooperate in every good
word and work. They have numerous local
institutions that are highly creditable to their
been endowed, and are supported by volun-
tary contributions. They can entertain stran-
gers agreeaby at all seasons of year and with q
variety of methods. Gen. Grant has been with
them five days; he has been kept busy all the
while after his triumphal entry on the 18th
he dined with Mr. George w. Childs, gentle
man whose fine personal qualities and bound
less munificence have made him an object of
universal pride and honor among his towns
men. Mr.. Childs invited only few OF the
old and near friends of the ex-President to
meet him on this occasion. Foremost among
them was his comrade in arms, his old tried,
true and trusted friend, Con. Sherman, whose
genial face is always "a thoroughly welcome
one ip every social gathering. Gov. Fish,
who remained at the head of his Cabinet for
eight years, and bore himself so well that the
shafts of calumny fell as harmless upon his
reputation rs they did upon that of the great
soldier with whom he was associated in the
conduct of State ffairs-Ex-Governor, ex-
Secretary, Ex-senator Boutwell,, one of the
ablest and best men Massachusetts, has turned
out in this century, ex-Secretary Robson, who
has been traduced with greater persistency
and more virulence than any man of his gen.
Grafton, and yet against whom Congressional
Investigating Committee after two years OF
keenest search were unable to discover scln-
tila of inculpatory evidence-these were some
of the men who came from their homes to sa-
Lutte their old friend on his return from his
wanderings. After the dinner was over, a
large number of visitors of both sexes came in,
and between the hours of and IL o'clock
.f Ill I'd ipu
of diamonds az the fair cavalcade moved
| on through the spacious halls or formed grace
| full groups in the parlor, where Mrs Chllds
| and Mrs. Grant were holding their levee.
| 1t was an informal gathering, and therefore
| all the more enjoyable; the rooms were well
| filed, but there was at no time any more pres
| ent than could move about with ease, and feel
| comfortable all the while. Late in the evening
| Gen. Grant left the house for about half an
| hour to visit the Academy of Fine Art. When
| he returned the company had mostly gone
| away, and those who remained had a brief op-
| portunity of hearing the General exercise his
| conyersationalpower wherewith he is remark
ably well endowed. Altogether the occasion
was delightful one, and could have hardly
| failed to impress the participants in 1t who
came from other places, with lively appreci
alton of the hospitality of Philadelphians.
So much for the first day. The subse quent
festivities were SO elaborate and imposing that
| space forbids more than mention of them
The Army and Navy greeted their old Com
| mander and Mayor Stokely invited thousand
| or so of his constituents to spend an evening
| with him. Then on Friday that large hearted
and universally public spirited citizen, An
| thouy I. Drexel- one of the best of men, -ict
| without arrogance, generous without ostenta'
ton, acquistive without cupidity-gave par
ty at his great house, which presented con
| tour of radiant beauty. The toilettes OF the la