The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1883-10-25
A GLORIOUS PAST
Recalled by the Centennial cele-
bration at Newburg, N. Y.
The Occasion Dignillcd by the Presence
or Many Noted Public Men.

Not less than $1,000 people gathered at
Ncwburg, N. u, to celebrate thu centennial
pf tho dishanding of Wnshington's victorious
Continental army. Troops were paradcd
ranpon fired, bells rung, and patriotic nd
dresses delivered In commetnoration OF the
lny Of assured peace after years of bitter
warfare. 4 press correspondent gives the
following interesting account Of the patriotic
exercises.
The day was one Of the lovclicst Imaginable.
The sun shOne brightly. ana thr temperature
was alL thut could have been asked. The con-
ndencc OF the people IN the glorious sunshine
of the 18th Of October has had Its yindcntion.
During the preparations for this centennial
celebration Of Washington disbnnding and
taking leave or his victorious army, all
questions about possible rain were met
with the answer that for the pnst ten years
the 18th of October had been clear and bright,
and that benediction of sunshine was cx.
pectcd. Great crowds of people arrived by
boats and trains last night and throngcd the
downtown streets. Many persons could not
find lodgings. 80 crowded were the hotels aud
dwellings Of the city and towns roundabout.
4 torChiight procession. frcmrns = displays,
fireworks and much enthusiasm were the
preparations lust night for to-day. The hay
was illuminated by electric lights along the
including yachts, steamboats, and United
states war ships, riding Ut anchor, made
picturesque scene. Brass bands and the hfc
and drum seemed not to he still during the
night. Mayor Ward held Il reception In honor
of the distinguished guests.
Al sunrise to-day five navy vessels fired sa-
luics, which we're responded to from shore by
cannon planted at Washington's headquarters
AMI elsewhere on both sides Of the river. and
by the ringing Of MI the church bells. There
streets. One train on the West Shore railroad
arrived In four sections with l.5OO passengers.
One Erie train, with two engines. had nineteen
ears packed with people, and the platforms
were also crowded. The New York Central
and local roads were also pouring into town
masses of people. Farmers families were
coming In al sorts Of vehicles and farm
hands we're trnduiny along afoot. The lawn
at Washington's headquarters was throngcd
long before the hour Of beginning the ex-
crcscs. Two hundred New York policemen
aided the local force In preserving order. The
city never presented SO fine display. Flags
iioa,cd everywhere, and there was an un-
cloudcd sky.
At noon scores Of steamboats, arrived,
bringing military and excursion parties.
The seventh regiment, Of New York. with tho
veteran corps. arrived by special train. The
Twcnsy-,hir.i and Thirteenth brooklyn regi-
mcnts arrived on tho steamers Grand Repub-
lie ami Columbia Owing to the late arrival
| Of the state troops. the parade was not even
| forming nj the time appointed for the march.
The Putnam phalanx was II notable body,
and looked as ii Il band Of .old Puts"
| soldiers had come again upon earth with
| their uniform, step, and tactics of Revolution
AIRY days.
Although at 1880 there was no appearance
| of the parade. the scene around the Irview-
/ ing stand WIS inspiring. Spectators crowded
every vantage spot and enthusiastically
| checrca the various organizations on their
/ marches to the rendezvous.
The court house was decorated with the
/ national flags. strcamcrs and bunting. and
/ the residences on the opposite side Of the
street bear the arms of Massachusetts and
4 Virginia.
/ Gov. cleveland and staf arrived from Al
1 hany on the West shore train III la:.n. The
| train had eighteen coaches crowded with
passengers.
President Arthur sent letter of regret.
Ex-senator Conkling was also invited, but
could not come.
The procession started mt la:l5. an hour
/ and a quarter late. The Governors and their
| stalls, the Generals and their stats. and the
1 marines, soldiers and favoritc troops OF the
/ State made an imposing display. while Joined
!. with these were the visiting troops Of seter-
ans. civic societies etc. which made the
/ procession four miles long. Ii marched
in five divisions, with five bands of mvsic
| In each division. The line WAS much
II
Enthusiastically. The windows and steps every.
where were iilled with ladies, who clappcd
their hands or waved their handkcrchiefs ~
the troops marched past. As the head of the
procession reached the grand stand. there
| was great enthusiasm among the people The
Governors of the different States. Senate,
Rayard, the chaplain, orator. poet and others
who had special parts assigned them In the
| exercises. wheeled from the ranks 10 the ~.
| criving stand. The march past took place
To cnlirenng music. and the parade was dis
| missed.
The people then FASTENED To the lawn in
| front Of Washinyton's headquarters, where
the exercises took place. After thu intro
| ductory overture by the fine band of the Sew
enth regiment. Mayor Ward called the assem-
hlayr 10 order and Dr. = lranaeus Prime Of
1 fcred PRAYER. The ssrc Denm. for 500 voices
and the hand followed. and then Senator bay
ard was introduced as the President of thu
celebration exercises. The senator lie
li,ered an eloquent address ana was fire.
Quently applaaaea.
..fiaii Columbia by the chorus and hand
an original poem by Wallace Bruce, and /
grand chorus. No King hut God" followed
Senator Hay ard then presented the orator
nf the day. the Hon. Wm. N. Esarts, who re
ceivcd a most cordial welcome. and dcivere,
an ora,ion with .Washingtnn'' for his inspi
ration, which was much appreciated by III,
multitude of hearers.
The halleluiah chorus was given after IN,
oration. and bishop CoNe pronounced III,
hcncdictiun.
The great crowd then scattered To a mare!
hs the hand. The people enjoyed themselves
in their own way throughout the afternoon
In the evening there was fine psroiechn
display. Salutes were firel and ships wer
dressed and there were many social reun
ions.
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