The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1883-10-25
THE PEACE CENTENNIAL.


ton on the Ground where Washington
Took Leave of his Victorious Army-A
Tribute to the Character of the Country's
Great Defender.
NEwBURGB, N. Y, Oct. Is.
This was one Of the loveliest of lovely
autumn days, and the confidence of the
people in the glorious sunshine on the 18th
Of October had its vindication. During the
preparations for the centennial celebration
Of Washington disbanding and taking
leave Of his victorious army, all questions
about possible rain were met with the an
swer that for the past ten years the 18th of
October had been clear and bright. Great
crowds of people arrived by boats and
trains last night and thronged the down
town streets. Many persons could not find
lodgings, so crowded were the hotels and
dwellings of the city and towns round
about. Torch-light professions, iremen's
displays, fireworks and much enthusiasm
were the preparations last night for to-day.
The bay was illuminated by electric lights
along the river front, and the large number
Of vessels, including yachts, steamboats,
and United States war ships riding at an
Choir, made a picturesque scene. Mayor
Ward held reception in honor of the dis
tinguished guests. At sunrise to-day the
five navy vessels fired salutes, which were
responded to from the cannon planted at
Washington's headquarters and else.
where on both sides of the river, and by
"inging all the church bells. Immense
throngs of people were on the streets. One
train on the West Shore Railroad arrived
in four sections with 800 passengers. One
Erie train with two engines had nineteen
cars packed with people, and the platforms
were also crowded. The lawn at Washing
toms headquarters was thronged long be-
fore the hour for beginning the exercises.
Two hundred New York City policemen
aided the local force in preserving order.
The city never presented a finer display.
Flags fioated everywhere, and there was an
unclouded sky. Not less than $4,000 stran-
gers were in town. Governor Cleveland
and staff arrived from Albany on the West
Shore train at 1850. The train had eigh-
teen coaches crowded with passengers.
President Arthur sent letter of regret.
Conkling also regretted that he could not
come.
The procession started at 12:15, an hour
and a quarter late. The Governors and
their stats, Generals and their stats, the
marines and sailors and favorite troops of
the State made an imposing display, while
Joined with these were the visiting troops,
veterans, civic societies, etc, which made
procession four miles long. 1t marched in
five divisions. Five bands OF music were in
each division. The line of march was crowd
ed with people, who applauded enthusi-
astically. The windows and steps of
every house were filled with ladies, who
clapped their hands or waved their hand
kerchief as the troops marched past. At
few minutes before one O'Clock Governor
Cleveland and staff, Governor Brown of
Rhode Island and staff, Senator Hawley Of
Connecticut, and other invited dignitarieS,
took seats on the platform, and at 1:10
o'clock the procession, headed by the po-
lice of New York, came in sight.
As the head of the procession reached the
grand stand there was great enthusiasm
among the people. The Governors of the
different States, Senator Bayard, the chap
lain, orator, poet and others who had
special part assigned them in the exercises,
wheeled from the ranks 20 the reviewing
stand. The 'march past" took place to
enlivening music, and the parade was dis
missed. People then fastened to the lawn
in front of Washington's headquarters.
where the exercises took place. After an
Introductory overture by the fine band of
the Seventh Regiment, Mayor Ward called
the assemblage to order, Rev. DR.. S.
IreneuS Prime offered prayer. TIE Deum
for 800 voices and the band followed, and
then Senator Bayard was introduced as the
President of the celebration exercises. The
Senator delivered an eloquent address and
was frequently applauded.
The address was followed with Hail Co.
lumbia, ~ the chorus and band; an origi.
nal poem by Wallace Bruce, and a grand
chorus, "No King but God" followed.
Senator Bayard then presented the orator
of the day, Hon. William NJ. Evarts, who
received most cordial welcome.
The speech of EvartS was devoted in the
to an analysis of the attitude of
Washington i'll the period Immediately pre-.
ceding and following the close of the war
for independence, and closed with a tribute
to the character of Washington as a states
man. The great influence of the leaders,
personal strength in molding the character
of the new nation was shown, and the dec.
laration made that even had his career
ended with the Revolution his name would
still be foremost in history. lin the mem
ory of his countrymen,r said the orator.
"as he stood upon this very spot one hun
dred years ago, his face would have Shone
to all this people as did the face of Moses
to the children of Israel when he delivered
the tables of the law. And now, after q
hundred years of marvellous fortunes and
crowded experiences, we confront the days
and works and men of the first age of the
republic. Three wars have broken the
peace he proclaimed-the war for neutrality.
to complete our independence by establish.
ing our right to be at peace, though other
powers sought to draw us into their wars;
the war for boundary which pushed our
limits to the Pacific and rounded our terri.
tory, and the war of the Constitution, which
established for this people that for them
and forever liberty and union are one and
These rolling years have
shown growth, forever growth, and
strength, increasing strength and wealth,
and numbers ever expanding, while intelli
gence, freedom, art, culture and religion
have pervaded and ennobled all the mate.
rial greatness. Wide, however, as is our
land and vast our population to-day, these
are not the limits to the name, fame
and power of the life and character
of Washington. If it could be imagined /
that this nation, rent by disastrous !
feuds, broken in its unity, should ever pre- |
sent the miserable spectacle of the unde |
filed garments of his fame parted among
his countrymen, while for the seamless /
vesture of his virtue they cast lots if this !
shame, if this Unreasonable /
crime should overtake this land and this /
people, be sure that no spot in the wide /
world is inhospitable to his glory, and no /
people in it but rejoices in the influence of /
his power and virtue.
The Hallelujah Chorus was given after /
the grafton, and Bishop Coke pronounced !
henediction. The great crowd then scat /