Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1884-11-13
THE ToRCHLIGHT PROCESSION.

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'..,ork in the afternoon, the procession
,b;,, had been parading the streets broke
.,rrs and adjourned to meet on Washing
,,n street at halfpast seven O'Clock, whera
.,,,ioht procession would be formed
THE banquet which had been enjoyed in
,ba 10, opposite the cotton factory, was just
l., nraised BY all who participated i'll it--anh
:. i estimated that the number reached five
,bousaud On the tables, which extended
.;rcuIs:.shaped oyer the entire square, be
.;3os the barbecued OK aud numerous sheep
n..-a roasted turkeys, chickens aud ducks,
rosether with every species OF pastry, cake
snl fruit. free to all, without money and
,.i,bout price" And the tempting manner
u which the viauds were prepared by the
i13ips who bad the affair in charge was re
MARKED over and over again NotWith.
s,apdjrp the vast multitude entertained,
,hare WAS an abundance for ali aud much
"a snare. Like all suhluaary thugs, how
syer The banquet finally drew TO close.
Sbeu the assemD dge repaired To the Satai.
IA lot, one square above, where able al
fire,se. were delivered by Hon. John ;.
barbour, Msj. +. p. Wallace, and General
Fitzhnch Lee, after which there was an IN.
remission IN the festivities until haifpaS!
even o'clock.
The preparations for the torchlight pro-
ce,son which was to follow were on col
jossal scale, and from the TINA the sun de-
seeded behind the western hills until the
oarade began busy hands were iudnsirlously
II work all over town experimenting the
,lraady gorgeous decorations of residences
and other buildings with lights, Chinese
lanterns, Sc. II is believed that the iIiuml-
nations far exceeded anything OF the KIND
ever attempted here before. Go where you
wonld houses sent forth streams OF light
from innumeraoa gas jets and candles,
while MANY residences and other build.
inrs seemed lost il the soft, rariegated
cow of the paper lanterns which almost
covered them. Similar lights were stretched
across several streets, and the display was
one calculated TO transport the imagination
to the realms Of fairy lard or the enchanted
scenes depicted by Schehcrezade in her
thousand and one Staries to the Sullan OF
the Indies.
Promptly at the appointed hour the par
,ci, ants in the procession, which had been
such success in the afternoon, gathered n
Washington street, between Cameron and
Prince, each bearing q flaming torch. The
spectacle in this neighborhood Deggars de-
.rrilt.on. Powerful colored lights con-
.rrt..A the night into day, while the rockets
and roman candles which spurted from ev-
.rv building rendered the heavens agloW
with thousands of shooting stars, bringing
yy;dly 10 mind the meteorc shower pre-
diclcd for this month The procession soon
formed and the DGmotr III IN" ano APP
reared as legion. 1t was composed OF
the same organizations, though with many
additions. that took part in the day parade,
and prominent feature was the transpar-
rncies bearing laughahle caricatures and
suggestive notices. boat on "hicn was
inscribed the names Of the defeated can
,lids,c- for the Presidency, who are passen
gers for Salt river excited considerable
mirth. The vast assemblage finally began
TO move TO the enlivening music of the
hands ana the booming Of cannons, the
reyerberations Of the latter extending be.
yond the distant hills, and awakening their
echoes seemingly for miles away.
The procession, which was not far short
nf mile in length, at about hall-past seven
o'clock took up its line of march. 1t was
headed bv drum corps which was closely
was mounted large bell, and from which
= constant stream of fire works was sent
forth, Then came two companies Of young
mvn dressed in sailor costumes, and draw
iag small cannon, from which salutes were
fired ut the intersections Of the principal
streets. They made most creditable APP
pearance. Following came the Linct lnia
and Anandale clubs of Fairfax county,
mounted on handsome horses and bearing
banners. A fine band Of music was next in
line which headed the Bachelors CLUB.
These Young men were all dressed alike,
wore Cleveland hats which were surmount-
ed hv democratic roosters. and carried light
canes. They kept time to the refrain, Ma,
ma, where's pa pa? Gone to the White
House, ha ha, ha,' and attracted general
attention.
The merchants, mechanics and business
men came next, bearing all manner OF
transpareucies, on which were painted va
rou, devices, humorous, sarcastic and iron !.
ica The Cleveland aud Hendricks Work
ing Climb. followed in full force, bearing
torches and looking proud Of the victory
which they had done so much to accom-.
psh. They were heartily cheered all
along the line. A division of boys was
next in line who preceded the boat bound
Tor salt River" in which were seated car
features of the most prominent republicans
in the country. Another fine band OF mu-
sic came next, which headed the Young
Men's Democratic Club, about seventy In
number, all dressed in "Mother Hubbards'
and wearing "poke bonnets." Some OF the
costumes were very handsome and the va
'ious members acted their parts most excel
entity. This club attracted more attention
ban any organization in line: The Flrst
Ward Club followed, headed by band
and in their ranks were men who have
grown old fighting for the democratic party.
Another wagon, discharging fire works.
brought up the rear of what proved to be
the most successful torch light procession
ever seen in this city.
City Sergeant w. Ell. Smith was the chief
marshal, assisted by the following aides,
who were designated by buff sashcs: }. 5
B. Thompson. R. j. Daingerfeld, W. b
Smoot, F. l.. Brockett, B. B. Smith, A. n
Hurdle
The procession moved over the following
route: