National Republican., 1886-08-06
TWO CENTURIES.
ibnDy'sTwo- -Hundredth Birthday Fete
and Its Origin.

Learning that Mr. 7. c. De Leon, OF Mo-
bile, was taking vacation In his old home,
after his labors on the Albany bicenteunal,
just concluded so brilliantly, represent
atlve Of the NATIONAL REPUBLICAN, yestcr-
day interviewed that gentleman, at his
quarters in the Franklin.
2Oa question as to his old associations
here, Mr.. DE Leon said
"Yes; | am an old Washlngtonian-a sort
OF native by breyet. Coming to Washing
ton a child and growing to manhood here,
naturally regard the city as 'home' And
IL is therefore with all the more gratitca-
tion that note the woudrous strides the
capital makes-even between my frequent
visits-toward what she eventually must
become-the city Of America, II not OF the
world. Why, | played handy as boy In
that beautiful park across the way, and
very muddy and undrained II was In those
days. Naturally, am much pleased at the
pleasant echo the Albany affair has made
In my old home, but am not surprised, for
II was inaugurated ana carried out from
first to last in spirit of generosity and In
telligence, of which alone perfect success
could be born"
"You think IL, then, a perfect success,n
said the reporter.
"Most decidedly. The scheme en-
braced q fourday celebration, ushered in
on the precedent Sunday by appropriate
services In the churches. Monday was q
day for comprehensive trades PARADE
when the varied business aud manufactur-
ing interests Of the bcentenary city were
shown in decorated aud unique
floats or moving tableaux OF
business. The line was long
and interesting, some of the floats being
not only rich and beautiful, but strlkingly
original. Tuesday was All Nations Day.
Then the organized representatives OF
every nationality resident in Albany
showed characteristic Goats with richness
and elegance Of display, born OF friendly
but very keen-rlvalry. Irish, German,
Caledonian, Spanish, French, Italian, llol.
land, and other societies formed a long and
most interesting procession. National
types and sports were realized In pretty
variety, and this parade, as well as the
trades OF the preceding day, gave the
many thousands of strangers (already ad-
vantaging by reduced railroad rates to
visit Albany)a a new idea of the facilities
and of the enterprise of this ordinarily
quiet and sleepy Queen OF the Hudson
On Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons
occurred the national regatta Of amateur
oarsmen, Mr., Henry w. Garfield, the presl-
dent Of the association, being the active
Albanian to whom that attractive feature
may be credited.
''The historical pageant'---which the
resistance OF the week-took place on
Wednesday evening. 1t was bold attempt
at novelty, to transport a Creole Mardi-
Gras pageant into the very heart OF phleg-
matte Knickbocker life. But the Talley-
rand motto-'Lduddce, pduodce, toVours
Pduddce'-bore rich fruit; and the pageant
committee of five, who insisted upon and
carried It out, became thereby the lions OF
the bicentennial. No such pageant has
ever passed through the streets OF q north
ern city; and the mixed feelings Of anxiety
and expectancy withwhichi 1t was awaited
gave place TO absolutely wild enthusiasm
as the successive 'floats'-or moving
progress-came into view, were studied,
and generally passed into the distant haze
OF luminous light left in their walSen
"What was the subject Of this pageant2h
progress, as relating 10 Albany's past
and present." Mr.. De Leon replied. "a
small latitude was allowed in slightly ideal
izing the earlier themes. For instance,
Discovery as parent to colonization, was
represented by picturesque shell, floating
high on the crest Of summer seas, drawn by
glittering dolphins and controlled by the
leading spirit of discovery and two fair
hand-maidens. This allegoric shell followed
what we OF the south call the emblem
float This was, in this instance, the seal
OF the city, gigantic In size ana glittering
with gold and colors, but an exact repro
duction, Its ancient farmer and Indian sup
porters being living men, accurately cos
tuned. Next In the sequence came the
northmen,' believed to have discovered the
mainland OF America between the years $50
and 1912, A. ID. This float was the antique
war ship OF the Vikings Lief, the son OF
Eric, armored and bare-armed, in her bow,
his skin-clad seamen tending the huge helm
and tapping sail and six skin-clad oarsmeu
bending to their oars in regular cadence
along the entire route OF march,"
"What do you mean by 'aoatp was
asked here by the REPUBLICAN,.
"TLatis our technical term In the southern
mystic pageants," NJ. De Leon answered
''for each separate tableaux. We make
In our societies annually pageant from
some rounded theme. This whole is play,
or story, as II were. Each float becomes
q aseparate scene, or distinct chapter OF
this whole and, to insure perfect under
standing by the masses as the pageant
passes, each has direct reference to the one
preceding and also to the one succeeding
It. Failing In this, the sequence would b(
lost, and the high value of our annual mys
tic pageants as public educators and incen'
tives to reading and study would bC
thrown away. Our themes In Mobile
(whose mystic pageantry originated and
has stood business depression, war, and IT.
sequel@ for lifty-six years) and In New Or;
leans, where 1t has been so grandly main
tained for many years, are almost endless
in variety. Our sister cities have covered
mythology, allegory, sacred aud ancient
history; have illustrated poems, classics ant
always the free gift to the public of oui
cities from long. organized clubs doubtless
comprising our best citizenship, but al
ways kept strictly secret, Notwithstanding
their great age"
"Was there such club In Albany ?"
"Oh, mo The idea there was simpl,
the practical and intelligent one, Of trans
planting Mardi Gras carnival as novel
magnet to popular curiosity. Months ago
by vote Of the bicentennial committee oi
81 aldermen and leading business men
Mayor Banks invited me to visit Albany ant
confer with them upon the details Of the Gel
ebration. Several weeks of conference ant
proved so captivating to the public. The
time latter final decision) was short, but
carried on six Mobile experts, long skilled
in these constructions. Working far int,
the night-with almost enthusiasm and Ger
tainly with great zeal-these artisans made
the foundation constructions brilliant and
rich, as they were suggestive and accurate
designed sixteen floats each leaf from
the origin or the past Of the 200-year-old city
and each plainly recognizable as II passed
through the streets under the glow OF In
genious torches and Of rich colored fires.
"Are these floats only paintingsS"
"On the contrary, they are solids, con
structions based upon great platforms ant
carried upon wheels. They are built so a
to represent landscapes, ships at sea, rega
palaces, or towering rock gorges. All o
these we had at Albany, as well as tn
tropical shore with the Iandlngof Colum
bust quiet summer scenes, showing tn
Dutch life Of the family in 1885: the rel
glare of Schenectady, with the flaming
hnnaa md aA Indiana faarinO fha aat
tiers from their beds at snowy midnight
The wheels are hidden hu def nnnRLrnO