The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-11-27
Notwithstanding Rainy Weather and Muddy
Streets, the Metropolis Does Honor
to Itself and the Occasion.
A Magnificent Parade of Military and
Civic Organizations.
Text of the Grafton Delivered by George W.
Curtis-An Eloquent Tribute the
Memory of Washington.
THE STREET DISPLAY.
A Magnificent Procession Parading Through
Mud and Rain

Mud and Rain.
New YORK, Nov. 26.-The day opened with
a dull, leaden sky, indicating rain or snow.
The atmosphere was moist and raw but not
cold At sunrise the forts and ships fired
salute of tNenty-one guns, and this was fol-
| lowed in half an hour with a successful effort
by the steam whistles in the bay and rivers
to create the most disagreeable noise imagin-
able, thus emphasizing the wonderful differ
! ence between the navigation of 1888 and that
of 1888. At 8 o'clock the people took pos
session of the streets, and every means of
conveyance leading down town was filed
cars, omnibuses and carriages-and still the
sidewalks on Fourth, Fifth and Sixth ave-
nues and Broadway presented dense mass
of humanity. The decorations were elab-
crate on the public buildings and club
houses. Many contented themselves with
display of the stars and stripes, bat occ6-
| sionally the colors of France and Germany
were mingled with the red, white and blue.
All places of business are closed, and the en-
tire population of Manhattan and Long islands
have given themselves up to the enjoymentof of
this patriotic occasion. All points of
historical interest are surrounded by crowds
anxious to recall the scenes of the day when
| the British withdrew from American shores
and independence was really made secure.
President Arthur and Governor Cleveland
| and staff are at the Fifth-avenue Hotel
Other dignitaries from other States are also
present. Included among these are the Gov
ernors of twelve of the original thirteen
States. The display OF the military promises
to be fine, and the beautiful red coats pre-
sent fine contrast with the gray and blue.
The threatening weather of the morning
soon developed into pronounced rain that
increased as the day prosross1d ONLY the
more courageous OF the men and women re.
tanned places upon the reviewing stands,
and those remaining stood upon seats and
protected themselves as we'll as they
could with umbrellas. The peo-
pie on roofs, whence they expected
to obtain q good view OF the parade,
quickly sought shelter behind chimneys or
went below. The streets, however contin-
ued crowded. Broadway was a sea of UNI
brellas, the bunting clung to fagstaffs and
the walls of houses, and the brightness of the
m ornng soon disappeared The fog on the
Ody anu IlN6Io OeDrlHGu Tie uObllld Ol
steam vessels of much of its glory 1t was
a novel parade to New York, and it attracted
great deal OF observation. The programme
laid down for it by Admiral John H. Starin
was strictly adhered to. Boats to the num-
Der of several hundred rendezvoused in the
bay, and formed into division and steamed
into North river and along the New Jersey
shore, until opposite Sixty-fifth street. New
York; thence returning down the New York
side of the river, around to the Battery and
into East river, steamng thence as far as
the navy-yard, and returning along by the
Brooklyn shore to the starting-polnt at Bay
Ridge AS the boat bearing the admiral
of the fleet passed the Tennessee flagship,
Admiral Cooper, several ships of the United
States fired salute of twenty-one guns,
manned the yards and made such other
demonstrations are customary on such &C
casions. AT noon every steam whistle in the
city began a salute which was unbroken for
the five minutes time during which it was to
last.
Notwithstanding the rain, bands of music
were constantly proceeding with the several
corps to the appointed places and Kept Deo-
pie on the aui viye. All the details of the
evacuation day celebration were fully car
brought in throng of visitors from the
country TO swell the crowds already here.
The streets and windows along the line of
march of the procession were thronged with
people. So dense were the crowds that prog
ress in any direction was almost an impos-
sibility. The police, of whom there was
large force on hand, could do but little in
keeping the throngs of people in order and
| in preserving the line of the route clear.
THE PROCESSION.
About O'Clock President Arthur accom-
panied by ex-President Grant and General
Varnum, left the Fifth-avenue Hotel for
point where the head of the column was
in the line. 1t was nearly 10 o'clock before
the line was formed and put in notion and
the police had great difficulty in clearing
passage After the police came General John
Cochrane, grand marshal, and staff accom-
panied by the first troop of the Philadelphia
city cavalry, under command OF Brigadier-
| general T.. B. Grubb. The first division was
Richard ii. Jackson, of the Fifth U tied
States artillery and was composed of United
! States troops. as escort to the dis
tinguished guests following in carriages.
President Arthur and his cabinet officers
| were in the first carriages, and were followed
by the Governors Of States mayors of
municipalities and other civic men,
officers of the army and navy. and
! delegations OF mercantile bodies OF this and
other places. The Grand Army posts were
next, followed by associations of the Toluu-
teer fire department OF the present and past,
and more civic societies. The bead Of
! line reached the Battery at 1870 +. N. whoa