Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1881-10-19
YORKTOWN.

A whole Country Cnites In tho Celebration.
Eight boats arrived at Yorktown be-
tween midnight and o'clock yesterday
morning, bringing many troops and civil
ians- Among the former were detach-
ments from Delaware, Michigan, Virginia
and New Hampshire. At 10 O'Clock
salutes were fired from Gen. Hancock s
camp. and it is supposed that the vessel
containing the president was passing.
The steamer City of Catskill, with Sec-
rotary Blaine and the French and German
guests, arrived at Hampton Roads yester.
day molniog from Washington. The
French minister and guests were trans
ierred to the frigate Magicienne, which
got under way and, accompanied by her
consort, the Dumont d. Urville. sailed for
Yorktown at $50. Among the passengers
on board the Catskill were Gen. Wickham,
of Virginia, Mayor Latrobe and Collector
| Thomas, of Baltimore. A salute was fired
from the fort in honor of Secretary
Blaine's arrival. The Catskill leaves for
Yorktown at Q o'clock.
The distinguished guests began to ar
rive at Lafayette hall about II o'clock.
Among them were the governors of New
York, Maryland, Virginia. Michigan. Del
aware, North Carolina, Tennessee, Rhode
| A'ie'hA ouu tCAIuOuC NlCc
Davis, Hon. Alexander II. Stuart, of Vir-
sinia Hon. George F. Hoar Rev. ]. r.
Newman, r. c. Winthrop, Senator Bay.
ard and many others.
| The scene on the river front was an in
spring one. The men OF war, the steam-
ers, the tugs, the yachts, the sailing vessels
all decked with flags and streamers, tho
salutes to arriving disnitaries, the gay uni
forms of the military, knights Templar,
ETC., tie music of the numerous bands
and the drums and flies as the troops land
ed and marched to their quarters, and the
crowds of people from all natiunalities,
sccts and conditions who gathered on the
batteries or wandered over the grounds,
all combined to make scene Of deep in
terest. At II o'clock Governor Holiday
and his staff went into Lafayette hall,
which was beautifully decorated with flags,
ana informally met and welcomed the gov
ernors OF other states and the distinguished
guests who were present.
General Hancock called and paid his re-
spects. Pleasant greetings and a social
chat followed and occupied the time until
President Arthur and the French guests
arrived. At 1890 the Masonic procession
marched into the hall in the seats which
had been reserved for them. At 12 40 the
president, accompanied by Secretaries Lin
coin and Hunt and Postmaster General
James, was escorted to the stand amid
the cheers of the crowd.
About 10, 900 people were on the outside
OF tue guard that surrounded the stand,
while the latter was crowded with those
rtGate enough to have tickets. Sun
very hot.
The ceremonies were then opened with
prayer by the Rev. Robert Nelson, grand
son of Governor Nelson. who commanded
the Virginia militia at Yorktown. At the
conclusion of tho prayer the band played
The Star Spangled Banner" with an
artillery accompaniment. Governor Hol-
liday, of Virginia, then proceeded to de-
liver tho address of welcome. After a
speech by United States Senator Johnston
the foundation stone Of the monument
was laid with, appropriate ceremonies.
Judge L. Il. Wexford, of Virginia, the
Masonic orator, then made an eloquent ad-
dress at the conclusion of which the cere-
monies closed. Immediately afterward
President Arthur and party left for the
Despatch, the steamer bearing the French
commission. Secretary Blaine and others
were on the stream some two hours and
a-half before they were first discovered
on shore, and while the corner stone was
being laid Secretary Blaine came to the
government. deck and sent word to tho
authorities in charge, but it was too late
as the ceremonies were completed, and
the party returned to the Tallapoosa. The
three hundred vocalists who were to sing
the national songs set down in programme
for the day were detained on the train so
that this part OF the programme was
omitted. The pyrotechnic display at night
was a success in every particular. All the
war ships in the harbor were brilliantly
Illuminated, presenting beautiful sight.
On the flagship Franklin the lights were
SO arranged as to show the outlines of the
ship and rigging with magnificent effects.
There were also other designs, one being a
schooner apparently under sail. In addi-
ton to this there was yacht anchored III
tho harbor from which there was con.
slant stream of rockets, etc. The night
was dark and the display was therefore
the more brilliant.