The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-10-25

The German people arc noted for orgaE-
ization, thoroughnesf, and intelligence.
II is said here that Whatever they under
take TO do they do well. II is a fact. We
have seen il illustrated in the societies they
have organized, in the halls and churches
they have built, in the operas they have
produced, and generally in valuable con-
tIibutions made to the wealth and pros
perity Of this city. There was time when
it was believed that Richmond would
make no effort to take part in the
festivities Of the Centennial season.
When the patriotic gentlemen who were
pressing the matter upon the attention
OF the community were almost in despair
when It really seemed that our folks were
determined TO let Yorktown and all that be-
longed to it pass unnoticed-Blr. Siegel
said, aLet us see what the Germans will do
about it," \ public answer was given
last night in table0u1 UiUGntS, fireworks,
and a torcLlight procession altogether I'M
precedented in Richmond. They were moi
only imposing, but they were instructive.
WORK OF LOVE.
The tablcau1 were as work Of love de-
signed by Mr.. ". L. Shepherd in moments
stolen from his summer vacation. They
represented historical epochs Of Nir-
ginis-frst, the landing Of Smith near
/ Hampton; then Indians on the march;
( then pioneers attacked by indians; then
prcDarations for the Revolution; then the
summon TO arms; then (at Yorktown Lib
crty and Peace crowned 10y Victory; then
1 Virginia. 1T the end Of another century,
surrounded 10y figures OF Art, Progress,
/ Commerce, Agriculture, and Science.
Somuch for the tablcauX. Supplementary
thereto were personatious OF Washington
and staff, company OF cavalry, tribes Oh
Indians. a hogshead OF tobacco drawn on
its own hoops, after the olden fashion, @c.
TIE SCENE.
/ As the procession moved along the
streets fireworks were plenl1ully used
/ Colored lights blazed from every corner
| The cold, white gleam Of the electric lamps,
and the warm, red light Of the pilch
torches. borne in hundcds OF hands, min
/ elcd and comminglcd, making gamof III
/ the midst Of which the historical scenes ap-
pcarcd to rare advantage.
What with the stirring music OF inc
hands. the meteor-likc bursts and iiiglI'
Of rockets and Roman candles, the
cheers Of the populace on the sidewalks
and at the windows Of houses, the tramp ol
fhe cavalry, the dazzling brilliancy OF the
vo1io-colorcd lights, and the lovellne6s o,
the tableaux, il may be emphaticsliY s.ho
that Riclmond never saw the IKE,
Furthermore, Richmond may well zee
uroud OF her German citizens. Oul
/ German citizens may well feel prouc
Of their undertaking and It's sue
cessful issue. Not theirs TO halt whcr
others bositsted. Not theirs to mind troll.
rio or cypcnsc. Not theirs even TO ylelC
to storm-signals. At II O'Clock yesterday
fhe weather was highly unpromlslng
They had fixtures which rain would IN
iure Ladies were in their castes. Ther'
was already mud under foot; but, not
witbstauding all this and more OF dls'
couracement, here untold, the committee
ot noon seeing one speck Of blue in the aky
resolved to 90 ahead. 81.
And they then and there announced tla'
theie would be no postponement Oh &C
count OF the weather.
BRIGHTER SKIES.
AtG o'clock last evening the skies were
sbrouded i'm dark, threatening clouds, anu
cvprv moment II seemed that the ram
wo,lid pour down. But in Singer llall'
end in the lot OF the old Fredericksburg
Railroad depot (whcre the wagons Wer'
kept) all was hustle and preparation.
THe committee at noon, when the pros
meet was poor indeed, had resolved that tl'
demonstration should take place. Iher'
never was a thought OF reconsideration. ..
Asa reward for this pluck and dctermi
nation-so it appeared-about O'Clock th'
cIouds all lowered themselves below th'
horizon, unveilng the star-Spangle1 sh!
and giving a good omen for the OCCASION
BEFORE TIE START.
The platforms FOR the tdL'eduI uirdnt;
were built on wagons. They were broaC
and long. and curtains fell from then near
" to tbe ground. Each wagon was drawn
I,v a team of four horses or mules, and a
tLo head Of each animal walked q colored
gentleman in appropriate costume Cpol
these platforms we've placed such Sceher!
and persons as lllustlateu INC lue' iN'0'i'' .
10 be conveyed. g.,
Between & and 7 O'Clock there was a me
display OF fireworks and colored lights al
sanger Halle. Just before the procession
moved of Mr.. Julius Straus, chairman o.
the Committee on Fireworks, set of Il large
balloon named General Won Steuben. II
Goated of CALAMITY amid the cheers Of
multitude as great as Richmond ever sees
IN NOTION.
The procession moved off in the follow
| ing order: ,. ,.s-.,
Three Heralds. (William Iauiman, a
Steinnetz, and \. NJ. Lynnenah,)
Clad in Black Suits, Black Fet
hats. White Gloves, and
White and Blue
Sashes.