New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-10-20

Senate looking as if something had re-
minded him of a good story when
he would like to tell. After the ceremonies had oe
gun little lady in black was escorted to the non'
and given seat near President Arthur his Is Vhe
widow of President Tyler. | lcok over the rows OF
faces for those of the two ex-Prosdents Grlnt anu
Haves and not finding them close my list of digni-
taries before it is fairly begun In truth TINS Is an
Official rather than a popular celebration. Inc
means Of TRANSPORTATION have been almost entirely
absorbed in carrying the distinguished people ana
the troops. The unofficial civic multitude has had
not much chance to come, if indeed any great por-
tion of il cared to.
After orchestral music and singing, and an eio-
quent prayer by Bishop Harris, of New-I Iork' reao
from manuscript, the President rises ana "lth qo'
dignity of manner delivers his brief address HIS
tone is clear his bearing easy, and only hls dark
eyes contrasting vividly with the paor oil ms race
show emotion What he says is in excellent taste.
Among the favorable comments upon itin the crow"
| catch the verdict CT General Sherman, who says
Just the right thing" turning TO one
of his officers The President gels
round of cheers, and so does the handsome frencn
Minister, when he replies in English with strong
Cal!ic accent, bat perfectly clear in meaning OF
every well-turned sentence. SO does the sta'ey
MARQUIS De Rochambeau who reads in French his
neat little speech of thanks. Then there are three
rousing cheers for France, led by the gray-haired
chairman. who waves his hat with the ylgor OF n
how Now comes TO the edge OF the
platform tho tall aud sodery nephew OF
the German General who commanded IN the
trenches ut Yorktown one hundred years ago
He speaks in simple and feeling German phrases
of the good will of the German people for America
and of the great honor of the ardent reception ne
and his family have received since their arrival on
these shores. Three cheers given for Stehben,
not because of the speech for hardly score OF per-
sons understand it. bu5 for the veteran German
soldier and the historic name he bears. Next we
have the great feature of the dav, the scholarly a-
triotic and eloquent Grafton OF MasSachu-
setts's favOrito orator, the Hon. Robert {.
Wiptbrop. Tho audience is surprised TO see
q man of more than three score and ten oi feeble
physique. and fine nervous face but it is more sur
prised aud greatly delighted when from this slender
person comes a voice, strong clear, sustained and
svmpathetic which holds all hearers for nearly two
hours in absorbed attention. The crowd presses IN
around him. There is no distinction of persons
now Rough Virginia farmers push up close H. the
orator. applauding every reference to the Old DO
uini0n. The seats on the wings are all abandoned
and the whole audience masses itself directly IN
front and around the platform. Only the seais III
the rear escape the invasion. ThH Orat0n u worthy
of the OCCASION and the great historic event ~ COM
memorates Now there is another interludc ot
music and Mr.. Blaine is intro luced to read the
Presidents order directing that the British dag he
saluted at the conclusion of the ceremonies. His
voice. clear and strong and of a trnlnpctlike
quality. goes out to tue furthest borders o! the
crowd He is checred Justify when ho rises, ani
with trehlcd enthusiasm when the purport OF the
paper he holds in his hands is known. The poem
concludes the exercises. James Barron Hope, the
editor Of The Norfolk LIHdmark. is the poet of the
OCCASION He delivers his production with perfect
gestures and fue sGnorous voice All listen TO the
end and he gets generous measure of applause an1
congratulations from the foreign guests as well as
the Americans on the platform. The crowd quickly
disperses aler the poem is finished.
There is one movement, however, before the day
closes. which is witnessed by the people
on tho b!uas and the steamers President Arthur
goes aboard the flagship Of the American squadron
and the yards of all the ships manned; a very
pretty spectacle. A salute was fired on his arrival
and again on his departure amid cheers from yachts
anI steamers and from the crowds OH the fIver
bank.