National Republican., 1886-08-06

In more absolute accord TO time aud de-
tail prearrauged between Mr.. Manning and
myself"
"But how" here queried the REPUBLI-
CAN, twas the great expense OF all this met,
II, as you say, there was no club or other
organized societyFn
avery simply. The aldermen, soon after
seven have described, appropriated $4,000
to the Blcentennal. Energetic citizens
took this as a basis, and, in n short while,
the sum OF $4,000 was in the hands of
Treasurer Wemple, cashier OF the State
Bank. Very early It became an assured
fact that the direct and indirect profit OF
the Bicentcnnial would be very great. IL
was promptly recognized that thousands
OF strangers might be attracted, to spend
several days, and though Albany was
wholly ION pleasure bent,' and on fame,
still it was not unnatural that she had a
frugal mind enough TO be willing to make
that pleasure pay. Indeed, as soon as 1t
was known that my conferences with the
pageant committee had finally decided that
feature, money poured in to excess. The
result warranted anticipation. There were
hundreds Of thousands OF strangers in Al
bany during the week; and on wednesday
the cars, boats, and every other means OF
transit were jainmed to repleton. Indeed,
IL may be doubted II a single subscriber to
the fund could now be found who would not
double his share tomorrow; and the rail-
roads, hotels, and corporations-who were
the largest givers-reaped the largest profits.
10 was estimated the Delaware and Hudson
Canal Company railroad alone brought into
Albany some $1,000 persons. It Is reason
able to suppose that the New York Central
carried at least as many and the steamers
were overfull on every trip up and down
the river. Saloons, restaurants and all
all fav. AI n,,t1 l..
| denuded by the weeks end; and the hard
| financial side Of the celebration was quite
| equal in its success TO the prettier and more
| picturesque one was invited to Albany to
| make.
"But the celebration did not end with the
| disappearance Of the historical pageant into
| that darkness whence IL emerged. In
fact, II only ushered In that most Inn
| portant date-'the day we celebrate.' This
Of Albany as a city having been granted to
Col. Pieter Schuyler (the original, but not
| aboriginal mayorl by Gov. Thomas Dongan,
| lieutenant in America. This charter grant
was the origin OF the whole celebration,
and the grant Of the kings charter by
| Charles ii to James, duke Of York and
| Albany lin 1854, and the 'Dongan charter
twenty-five years later, were among the
most interesting and accurate tableaux Of
the historical pageant.
'In the south we usher In the Lenten sea-
son Of penitence by these mystic pageants,
ending them at midnight Borrowing this
| idea, Albany ushered In her 3O0dth birth
day with the pageant, ending her first two
centuries at midnight. Never have seen
n northern population let loose such en-
thusiasm as that which followed the display
of Wednesday night. Crowds, variously
estimated at from 60,000 to double that
number, literally packed capitol square
and every adjacent avenue to the city hall.
Every liberty Of the southern carnival held
full sway. All classes Of citizens, to the
highest and most staid; every age, from
boyhood to fourscore, and both sexes
equally, met there In one glad welcome to
the 300dth morn Of the usually slow-going
city. Mardi Gras horns blew, grave men
hurrahed and shook hands with their
next neighbors, good feeling and fun
bubbled up everywhere, and even
maskers, in organized bodies, paraded the
streets Bands brayed, the church chimes
rang, and 200 guns proclaimed the Blcen-
tennial done. At daylight President Cleve.
land, members Of his Cabinet, and Col
Lamont arrived; and the first day Of the
third century OF civic Albany was red.let
tered by grand parade OF the National
Guard and OF G. A. r. veterans, reviewed
by the President and Gov. Hill.
"But have talked the REPUBLICAN, out
OF patience already" Mr.. De Leon said
rising, "and only hope your gentle
reader may not become the reverse toward
you because Of my long tongue"