Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1884-10-23

p.rature higher barometer. ror a;c,.oJ
ttipued cold, clear and fair weather %
Isr N,cuT's DEMONSTRATION
,,a;nc,emency of the weather, the grand
democratic rally in this city last night was
q success in every particular, and was so
regarded By all who witnessed 1T. The
shirts. however, of those who had been as
siduously engaged for weeks in making
preparations for the display were somewhat
depressed early in the afternoon when u
was noticed that the high wind which had
prevailed all day had banked up ominous
looking clouds in the west, ana though pc
fore dark rain commenced falling IN Tor
rents and all sorts of prophecies were uIteI-
ed regarding the probabilities TOT an all
light rain, the work of preparation kept
ON. nearly every one being huoyed up by
what proved to be correct hope that there
might possibly be lull in the storm when
the procession should be ready to move.
hbo,it o'clock the rain did cease falling,
when the ardOr Of all who had intended
nartjcipating in the turnout was e1empll-
fed by the earnest manner in which they
Wed to make the occasion, what 1t eventu-
ared in, a complete success. Houses on
the streets where the procession was 10
rass suddenly appeared illuminated, as did
many on other thoroughfares; banners
were thrown 10 the breeze, colored hres
kindled and torches caused to blaze, While
almost simultaneously, to the music of the
bands, the various clubs began assembling
at their respective meeting places and IN
short time were marching to their allotted
u,stions in fine The threatening aspect
of the heavens, Of course, deferred many
whose hearts were in the cause from taking
part in the procession, and several organi'
zations from the surrounding counties,
which had made every preparation 10 De
present and form part OF the throng, were
reluctantly compelled to abandon the IDEA:
though numbers Of individual members Oh
said clubs were in the city and joined III
the celebration. The trains leaving Wash
iugton for this city late yesterday evening
brought crowds to join in the demonssra-
ton. all Of whom were in the highest good
humor The streets presented dazzling
appearance, being Illuminated and decor
aied with Chinese lanterns and bunting,
and the hiss of ascending rockets WAS only
interrupted by the booming of cannon.
Crowds of interested spectators locked the
streets, their ardor defying the dampening
influence of the weather
The procession formed at King and Wash
:ngton streets, and marched In the follow
ING order, headed by bands and their re-
snectiye marshals Lincolnia Club, Clifton
Harbour Club. Young Mems Club, First Ward
Club, q huge boat decorated with flags and
streamers and filled with little girls and
bows: Cleveland and Hendricks Working
Club. citizens with torches, wagons con-
verted into mammoth transparencies, bear
ing bells, cannon, red lights, fireworks, &c.
AS the procession commenced moving
through the streets, the colored lights began
TO beam forth, the rockets, Roman candles,
&C., to ascend, and it was observed that the
state of the weather was the best that could
have prevailed in order that the proper
effect might be given the pyrotechnic dis
nlav. The heavens were dark and overcast,
lust such night when fireworks are seen
in their greatest beauty, and ever and
anon glorious pink or blue halo would
oyershadow procession, spectators and
houses, sending up banks of light which
would continue for minutes and hover cloud
like over the city for squares. Indeed, to
witness the effect of the coored lights from
d distance was a grand spectacle, and as the
huge crimson pillars of fire hoated heaven
ward it was q scene calculated to carry the
imagination back i'll the ages when Israel OF
old on their pilgrimage to the promised
land marched beneath luminous canopy.
The procession moved in the following
order: Down Cameron street to Fairfax
along Fairfax to King up King to Peyton ;
counter march on King to Payne; along
psvne to Prince; down Prince to Fairfax;
out Fairfax to Wilkes; down Wilkes to Lee;
along Lee to Duke up Duke to Washing
ton out Washington to King; down King
to the hall, where the procession disbanded.
As above stated the houses all along the
line. among them the democratic headquar-
tiers on Prince street, and the residence OF
Hon. John s. Barbour, on Duke street, were
brilliantly illuminated, and their occupants
saluted the moving column with cheers ana
waving handkerchief.
1t was contemplated that upon the dis.
banding of the procession the participants
and citizens should assemble at the corner
of King and Washington streets, where the
grand stand had been erected, and hear the
speeches which were to have been delivered
by several distinguished gentlemen invited
here for the occasion. The stand had been
tastetuIly decorated, and every preparation
made but upon the arrival of the process
sion at the spot rain commenced falling.
The cuncourse then repaired to Lannon's
Opera House, which had been engaged, and
where il was announced the speeches would
be delivered. The large hall was filled
by an immense audience, every men OF
space on the floor and galleries being occu,
pied, while the vestibules were thronged
with eager citizens who sought to obtain
glimpse of the stage through the doerways
over the shoulders of those inside.
Mr. James K. Cation, chairman OF the
Alexandria democratic committee. called
the meeting to order, and read kilograms
from Hon. John S. Barbour and Hon. A. NJ.
Kelley, regretting their inability to be pres,
ent. the former being detained in Richmond
and the latter in New York by the work OF
the party. Judge J. #. Goorick, of Fred
ericksburg, Hon VIM. Walsh, of Maryland
ex-Audtor John E. Massey and Gen. titz
Lee made eloquent and telling speeches,
showing up the corruption of the repuoii-
can party in ali its hideousness aud elicit
jns the hearty and repeated applause of the
large audience, which was wild with enthu-
sias,u from the outset. At the close OF the
,o,;.,,,.- about ,,,iln;obt aftar y0ciferOuS