The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-06-20
THE BARTHOLDI STATUE.
Its Welcome to New York-A Beautiful and
Brilliant Scene in the Harbor.

great statue of Liberty. The sky was cloudless,
and the rays of the June sun were tempered
by gentle southwest wind. Along the lower
river front and the Battery wall great crowds
gathered early in the day. AS the moraing wore
on the multitudes increased. Over the waters,
which sparkled brightly all sorts of gaily decked
craft sped hither and thither They swarmed
with human life and many carried small bands
of music. The tall buildings in the neighbor
hood of Bowling Green, notably the Stock Ex-
change. and also several of the dwelling houses,
displayed the stars and stripes. Here and there
might also be seen the national colors of France.
Governors Island looked like great emerald
GEM The scene in the harbor was one of the
liveliest description. Nearly every vessel, small
and large, waved the tri-color and the stars and
stripes, and all were dressed up, so to speak, for
the occasion.
When the vessels that were to escort the
Isere to Bedloes Island arrived in the lower bay
the water was swarming with crafts, and as far
as the eye could reach there were vessels with
out number Every sort Of vessel had been
pressed into service by ambitious sightseers
Soon volumes of smoke were pouring forth
from the tunnels Of the Isere, her propeller be-
ton of Bedloes Island The French map of war
La Flora headed the procession. Soon her gun
ners opened the salute of honor by firing
twenty one guns, in the short space of sixty one
seconds. Hardly had the smoke cleared away
from her deck, when the United States man-of-
war Omaha replied with broadside. Then the
Alliance and Powhatan fired their guns.
The guns of Fort Wadsworth thun-
dered out a salute as the naval procession
passed Such scene as was then presented
! had rarely been witnessed in the bay. One hun
dred steamers and yachts, with flying flags and
streamers crowded with people, followed the
Isere. The music of dozen bands foated out
over the water, while the war ships thundered,
and the forts re-echoed with booming guns. The
guests on the Atalanta shouted themselves hOarse.
The French officers of the Isere stood on the
quarterback, bowling to the salutes which they
heard on every side while all the way up the
harbor until the procession had arrived off Bed
loes Island the shores of New Jersey and Long
Island resounded with the crash of guns. 1t
| seemed like battle at sea, without the dis
astrous attendant circumstances.
When the anchor of the Isere was at length
lowered, and had obtained firm grip there was
more firing of cannons blowing of whistles and
shouting of people. Bedloes Island was crowded
with spectators. A number of men had climbed
up to the top of the pedestal and seated them
selves on the huge stones The Atalanta, after a
parting cheer to the officers of the Isere, pro-
ceeded on the way to the Battery, and the party
went ashore. Over two hours after the rever
berations of the last gun had been heard from
Castle William, the boat bearing the members of
the American committee and their guests, the
officers of the French navy, landed at the
Battery. The mayor, aldermen, General Shaler
and SElf, the police commissioners and
other civil dignitaries were in waiting
and as Admiral Lacombe stepped on shore, the
mayor grasped him warmly by the hand. Car
riages were in waiting in the plaza, and were
occupied, the first by Mayor Grace, Rear
admiral Lacombe General Shaler and Frederick
r. Condert; the second by President Savage, of
the Board Of Aldermen, the commander of the
Isere, Brigadiergeneral Ward and Senator
Evarts.' In the other carriages were different
city officials and the officers of the LaFlora and
Isere, and members of the division and brigade
staff 1t was nearly o'clock when the process
sion moved The line of march lay through
Whitehall street to Broadway to the City Hall,
and the route was lined with spectators At the
City Hall the guests were given banquet, and
afterwards speeches were made by Mayor Grace,
President Savage and Frederick r. Condert.
The mayor and the aldermen's committee to-
night escorted the officers of the Isere and Flora
to the Star Theater where special concert was
given. Admiral Lacombe is in raptures over
the ovation extended to him and his brother
officers.
The World, which has raised by popular sub
scription, very large sum for the pedestal fund,
and which had three gaily decorated steamers in
the procession, says of the French vessels: "On
several occasions the officers took pains to ex
press their appreciation of the courtesy of
passing German vessel, which saluted them by
lowering its flag"