The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1882-10-11
THE BI-CENTENNIAL IN PHILA-
DELPHIA.


meeting in the Main Building, at Fair
mount Park. Thirty thousand people
constituted the audience, and Clayton
McMichael, of the North Amerfcan, had
Just read a telegram concerning the Pres
ident. when the Indian band marched
upon the platform and commenced to
play. After performing several pieces
in excellent style, amidst great applause,
they, at signal from their leader, com
menced " Nearer, my God to Thee, and
| think | never witnessed such an effect
in my life. So exquisitely was every
passage rendered as to arouse wonder.
Scarcely an eye in that vast assemblage
was unmostened, and so deep was the
silence, that the breathing Of the people
could be heard.
1t seemed as though these poor little
waits of the wilderness we're thus sweetly
mourning at the dying bed of their Great
Father at Washington.
The fac siDaile of the ship Welcome is
ready, and will ascend the Delaware on
the morning of the gath, accompanied by
the vessels of the United States North
Atlantic Squadron. That scene will be
worth long journey to look upon. as the
whole river will be filled with great
steam tugs, magnificent yachts, &c, &c,
and. amidst the roar of cannon, ringing
of bells, and blowing of whistles, the
landing will be made. The Indians, in
original costume, will be in waiting at
carciuny sdlected gentleman descehded
from enc of those who came in the old
Welcome Then the march to the Pal K
will commence, the United States Division
L. . t,, = 4
other dignitarios. The column will num-
Der thirty thousand men, and the floats
and music will be grand.
In the evening there will be fireworks
in the Park of the most magnificent de-
scription, the landing and treaty with the
Indians being conspicuous pieces.
On Wednesday the industries of Penn
sylvania will make their parade, and |
venture to say that no display has ever
yet been witnessed that will compare to
it. There will be miles upon miles OF
machinery in motion, producing theil
various manufactures. Many of these
latter will be distributed among the spec
tators along the route, who will keep
them as souvenirs of the festive occasion.
A complete list and description of these
would more than fill this paper, but one
or two may serve to give your readers an
idea of their extent. The Baldwin Loco
motive Works will send into the parade
1900 of their employees and one of their
immense engines, capable of running 50
miles an hour, while q manufacturer OF
bicycles will sond in a bicycle twenty feet
high. There will be looms and rolling
mills running, FORCES, sewing machines,
printing presses, bakeries, &C., &C., in
full blast.
On this day also the Welsh chors will
baye their competitive singing in Allison's
great building in West Philadelphia
They will number 1000 voices, splendidly
trained, and among other pieces, they
will sing song specially written for
them, called PeHn-sgt-oa-ni-ain the
effect of which must be heard to be APP
preciated.
On the evening of this day will be given
the Tableaux Vivants, of which believe
you have already received complete de
scription. That description, however,
falls very far short of the reality, whose
splendor and gorgeousness will exceed
anything ever attempted. The peculiarly
constructed reflector lamps, shading the
eyes of the spectators, and throwing theii
floods of light directly upon the tableaux,
some of which are 20 feet high and *
feet long, will accomplish this
But ahqXa OIL tho e grapqaesf fhqlnd Ap bii'
Philadelphia Illuminated and dressed il
flags means something that is exception
ally magnificent, something to be remem,
bored with joy and satisfaction for life.
time. Imagine over 100, 900 houses, all
lit up with jets in every window-pane,
public and other buildings ablaze with
fancy designs in gas, and the shipping on
the rivers Delaware and Schuylkill, trim
med and decked out with swinging lamps
Of various colors.
On Thursday the festivities will assume
another shape. At Allison's building the
Welsh choirs and United German singing
societies will sing selected pieces, as will
also most likely the children of the public
schools to the number of between 5000
and 5000.
In Paramount Park five hundred BIZ
cycles will have a grand meet and
parade, after which they will ascend to
the top of the reservoir hill, and there
perform some wonderful racing and fancy
riding.
Under the auspices Of the Schuylkin
Navy, will be given regatta, open to all
amateur oarsmen, which will doubtless
be u memorable affair." MS invitations to
compete for the elegant prizes have been
sent all over tho United States. And
there will be such rowing as has not been
witnessed for many years.
The Caledonian and other national
clubs will give exhibitions of the sports
and games peculiar to their respective
countries.
Friday closes the feast with scene of
grandeur and exhibition of powers quite
worthy of the occasion. While on the
preceding days Pennsylvania exhibits her
glories of peace, she, on that day, displays
her glories of war, her mighty, mailed
arm, grim and yet joyous, for every gun
will be loaded with bouquets instead of
balls, and every cannon will be spiked
with sweet white carnations. Major
General Hartranft may well feel proud.
when, on that morning, with twenty three
thousand of Pennsylvania troops and
Grand Army Posts behind him, he orders
his trumpeters to sound the advance, and
his columns march over the route assign
cd them, with their standards and bodies
wounded in the hundred battle fields of
the war that saved the Republic, and that
kept for the old Keystone State her po-
sition at the top of the Union Arch.
Before closing, let me suggest that
parties having horses and harness will find
remunerative employment for them in
Philadelphia during the Celebration.
Very respectfully yours,
CHAs. w. ALEXANDER,
Spcpaiapy