Morris tribune., 1883-09-08
A GRAND DEMONSTRATION,
The Celebration at st. Paul of
the Opening of the North
ern Pacific Railroad,
Presence OF General Grant, Presi-
dent Arthur, and q Host
OF Eminent Guests.

sections of President Wizards grand excur-
sion party across the continent, arrived at
st. Paul, and were quickly transferred to
the mammoth Hotel Lafayette, at Lake MIN
netonka, where most of them remained un.
til Monday, the day fixed for the great cele-
bration at st. Paul, which had been prepar-
ing for some days.
ST. PAUL IN FULL DRESS
More magnificent decorations never
graced city's thoroughfares. Never, with
in the same space. has there been more
lavish use of colors and flowers in more
decoration of streets and buildings. Every
one We'd with his neighbor in the effc TT to
make known his hearty welcome to the
city's guests, and his appreciation of the
great event by means of tokens of festivity
The result was that the decorations were
too profuse to be specified, and too bea uti-
full for minute description. Indeed, to
specify the individual decorators and their
efforts would be to publish the en-
tire city directory, with end
less profusion of decorative material sand
wiched in. Probably every business man
in town is to be credited with his mite OF
display-and some even decorated their
dogs, so hot was the fever of generous emu
lation and rivalry.
THE GENERAL EFFECT.
The general appearance of the principal
streets was like a pathway within dense
forest of colors. Third street, especially,
because of its narrowness and the height OF
the buildings, decorated to their very top,
seemed fairly arched with bunting its entire
length; for it was an alb
solute wall OF brilliant
lines en- either side, and
the banners struck across the street seemed
to shut out the sky. The wholesale dis
trict whether on Third, Sibley, Fourth,
Fifth or Wacouta, presente a marvellous
brilliancy, every building being draped and
festooned to the very limit of its frontage.
Jackson, Robert, Cedat, Minnesota, Waba-
sha, st. Peter and Seventh streets were a
maze of flags and appropriate decorations,
ard every residence neighborhood had its
quota of PATRIOTISM who decorated right
royalty. 1t was a common comment
among visitors that never was city more
beautiful"
To the greatness of the display was add
ed the factor of great people and great
crowds. Gathered in st. Paul were more
notables, speaking with cosmopolitan
view, than in any city in the world. To
see and do them honor were 100000 human
entities, all enthusiastic, all delighted, and
better still-all pleased with ca ;h other
as well as themselves. Even the policemen
forget to be dictatorial, and it is credibly sta
ted that a hack driver said THANK YOU"
Looking up or down Third street from the
Pioneer Press building the scene was
striking, beautiful and a memorable one.
Above, the oriental arch reared its blaze of
bright color and seemed a gateway to great
er grandeurs beyond. Down, streamers,
banners, notices, evergreens, flags, every
conceivable article of adornment swayed
to and fro in the cool wind, or stood out in
picturesque shapes and brightest tints.
When from curb to curb the street was
packed with moving men and profusely
decorated vGhicles-the sidewalks had been
filed with people from early morning-the
whole effect was simply indescribable.
What was true of Third street was to the
full as much so of Wabasha, Jackson, Sew
enth, Fourth, Fifth, Sibley, Wacouta and
Broadway, in the busin ess portion, and in
q smaller way of every street within the
amphitheater of hills. Clear out on st. An
thony hill were waving flags and glittering
decorations. In short, st. Paul put on
such gala garb as she has never even aspired
TO before and will not wear again for years.
Perhaps better idea of the affair can be
obtained by the statement that the process
sional pagentry reached OVER ten miles OF
streets.
The whole party arrived from Lake Min
netonka at nine ia the incoming, ind the
people were nc titled by the booming of can
non on Capitol square and the blowing of
whistles in the harbor that the celebration
proper had begun. President Willard, Mrs.
Willard, Gen. Grant and Mayor O'Brien
were seated in the first carriage. In
the second carriage were Gen. and Nine
Won Zylander, Miss Willard and
Col. Won Zylander. In the third carriage
were Hon. William M. Eyarts, Hon. II. M .
Tellel, Master Harold and Oswald Willard.
Hon. l. Sackville West, British minister,
Miss West and companion occupied the
fourth carriage, and Baron Won Eirendech-
er, Count Lippe- Winsfeld, occupied the
fifth carriage. Other guests were distrib.
uteG as follows: Count de Bildt, charge
d'affaires of Sweden and Norway; August
Feigel, German consul general, New York;
Ottmar Won Mohl, German consul, Cincln-
natl, Ohio; German guests in fifteen car
riages; English guests in ten carriagel; gov
errors, United States senators and
representatives in seven carriages; officers of
the United States army in five carriages
government officials from Washington in
four carriages: mayors of other cities in two
carriages; presidents of board of trade and
chamber of commesce in two carriages; di-
rectors and officers of the Northern Pacific
and other railroad corporations in six car
riages; members ofthe press in ten carriages.
The guests were escorted to Rice Park by
Gen. Sa born, chief marshal and aides at
the head. Following these came platoon
of 6nirty-two police under sergeants Walsh
and Morgan. Then came q hundred lads
in fantastic uniform, mounted as special
aides, followed by the Fort Smelling band
of twenty-five pieces; the Ames Zouaves,
who were warmly applauded; battalion
of the Twenty-fifth United States (colored1
infantry, two hundred strong, con-
manded by Col. Gaines Lawson, an officer
deservedly popular. These troops were
and soldierly bearing. Battery F, Fourth
United States artillery, followed, ninety
strong, with four guns, commanded by Maj.
L. g. Smith. Twenty-Five Sioux Indians
in war paint, accompanied by squaws car
rying papooses, brought up the rear of this
section of the parade, and were received
everywhere with warm applause and amused
expressions. The Great Union band, play
ing splendidly, came gaily down the street
and received the plaudits of the crowd.
Then the First regiment, led by Col. Bend,
naTCuluS Sup0rDly, anu the Emm6G Light
Artillery. The G. A. r. and other war vet.
Grams, fifty strong, brought up the rear of
the First division, and received the warmest
recognition.
Passing under the grand triumphal arch
corner Third and Cedar streets, President
Willard, surprised and pleased beyond mea-
sure at the enthusiasm everywhere mani
tested, raised his hat in Acknowledgement.
just as q shower of roses, tossed by a score
of maidens, representing st. Paul and Port.
land respectively, fell upon his barred head
and into the carriage, and were scattered
over Gen. Grant who smiled his acknow-
Judgements, and upon Mrs. Willard, who
bowed and smiled and looked the pride she
could not speak.
As the remaining guests passed under the
arch in turn flowers were rained upon
them. and it was noticed that the elder
gentlemen were the most gallant in their
acknowledgements, raising their hands and
throwing kisses to the fair nymphs. Just
west of the triumphal arch two long plat
forms were constructed, and these were
crowded with children dressed in white
who, provided with bouquets, awaited the
arrival OF the grand procession.
The procession moved to Rice Park, near
the Metropolitan. Several sections of opera
chairs stood in the park for the accomma-
dalton of Mr.. Wizards guests Of the city.