The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-05-25

w uen the 1WenLV-tnlrU came upon
the scene, the enthusiasm of the crowd was
extreme. Promptness characterized every
movement of the troops, and when the
hands of the city hall clock pointed to the
hour of noon, the time designated for the
formation of the line was in readiness.
Shortly after IL the march was taken up,
the procession passing through Clinton street
to Pierrepont, from thence through
Henry street to Middagh, and crossing
Fulton street. At that point it ap-
preached the entrance of the bridge at
Sands street. Along the route the streets
were lined with eager crowds, while gaily
decorated buildings, waving handkerchiefs
and cheers and plaudits made up scene
never to be forgotten. Upon arriving at the
bridge the escort formed in line on Sands
street, facing south, and presented arms,
while the guests passed along the front to the
elevated platforms in the arches of the depot
building. The marines Immediately after
took post ON the platform. The United
States infantry proceeded to the New York
tower, and the Twenty third regiment took
possession of the pavement SO far as the
Brooklyn tower, where they severally
awaited the arrival of the distinguished guests
from New York who were formally received
at the various points named. The troops
were directed by Major-general James Jour
dan, commanding the Second division in
person, as grand marshal.
A prominent feature of the days ceremo-
nies was the military reception to distin-
guished guests at New York, which took
place at about 1:30 o'clock. The Seventh
regiment preceded them, after having es-
corted them from the Fifth-avenue HoVel to
the New York approach, and, simple as it
was, there was the utmost anxiety to witness
it on the part of the tremendous crowd.
While waiting for the arrival of the process
sion the people viewed with interest what
ever was to be seen from the elevation
of the roadway, and were surprised
and delighted by the elegant decorations of
the shipping, the sight of the green sward OF
Governors Island, the misty blue of the
Staten Island hills and the Jersey noun
tains; the long stretch of buildings on both
sides of Eass river and the constant flashing
of the restless waters. the sweeping outline
of which was defined in the sunlight half
around Manhattan Island and far along the
coast of "Old Long Islands sea-girt shore" All
or nearly all the vessels in the entire harbor,
including vast number that flew the Eng
lish ensign, were dressed in streamers from
truck to bulwark while flags of all nations,
with that OF the United States as the most
prominent, filled up appropriate intervals in
the rigging, and Strengthened out from mast
heads and yard-arms, Flags waved and fut-
tered from the Battery to Harlem and far
away on the heights back of Hoboken, the
tall tower of Brighton stood forth from the
dark-green OF the fir and spruce behind and
| around it, exciting the wonder of thousands
who declared they had never seen it
before. Those who could not get
upon the bridge managed, in many
cases, to secure admission to housetops
or upper stories of the gigantic buldin gs
that crowd lower New York. while thousands
more who had gained admission neither to
roadway nor convenient houses, thronged
the streets aud crowded and pushed eaon
other.
To describe the crowd would be imposs-
BILE, but it is safe to say it was as much
larger than New York crowds of the
past as the population of the city
is larger to-day than it was on any
previous public occasion. Telescopes and
opera-glasses were brought into requisition
from far-oh places of observation, and the
eyes of those near at hand were strained to
the utmost as the surging crowd and its null
titudinous welcome announced the incoming
of the procession. which was the signal by
the way, for very unhappy time for the
policemen on guard. They had had no easy
time of it all morning, owing to the unrea-
sonable expectations of many that they could
enter withouta ticket.
At the appointed time Colonel Clark ar
rived with the Seventh regiment at the New
York tower, and Immediately formed in
line, with his right resting on the tower, to
use military phrase, and the President and
cabinet, with the Governor and staff the
mayor of New York city, accompanied by
the New York city and county officials, the
National Guard officers and a number of
guests, passed along his front to the elevated
platform under the arches of the tower, the
troops presenting arms, while murmur of
applause swept up from the multitude on
the bridge and was taken up by other multi
tudes in houses and on the streets, until the
whole region was afire with the enthusiasm
of the occasion. A battalion of United States
troops was already there, and joined IN the
reception of the guests, and the committee
OF the bridge trustees formally received them.
AT THE BROOKLYN SIDE.
When the time arrived for admission of
visitors, ten thousand persons were ready to
occupy the two thousand seats provided
There was great rush, and an attempt to
secure chairs made things lively. To those
standing on the pathway just beyond the
pavilion, the throng seated inside it presented
an animated scene: On the right side the
President and cabinet, Governor Cleveland,
Mayor Low, Mayor Edison, and others; op-
posite the orators of the day. Hundreds of
flags, banners and escutcheons were in view
on the walls in front of the platform and
along the girders. The framework
of the unfinished car platform was gaily dec
GRATED. From that point to the roadway
for vehicle below seemed far distant
Nevertheless the people who thronged it
seemed satisfied to catch glimpse OF what
was going on above, or guess at it, or gratifyt
themselves with the splendid spectacle pre-
sented by the river below and the cities on
either side. All around on the bridge were
flags; the temporary steps approaching the
pavilion from the center of the pathway and
the railing protecting them, and the platform
were swinging in flags and bunting. Houses
close to the bridge with anything resembling
fiat roof were occupied by spectators and
adorned with flags. The throng on the bridge
was immense. The pathway for pedestrians,
just before the exercises were begun, was lit
orally packed; men, women and children in
all kinds of attire we're there Many of
the men wore ribbons in their button.
holes, boys carried small flags and
displayed medals of the bridge with stream
ers attached