The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1886-11-05

parade began IN the Hudson river, opposite
West Forty-ffth street, at an early hour
utowing to the foggy weather it was near
ly one O'Clock before the signal gun was
fired. At this time there were probably 500
vessels drawn up in two divisions, the first
composed of large steamers and the second
OF tugs and smaller vessels. Some of these
were beautifully decorated with flags and
bunting. ItWas after one o'clock when the
signal gun to start was fired, and the col
umn began its forward movement The
United States steamship Despatch lay off
West Twenty-third street, and as the col
umn of boats approached President Cleve-
land arrived with his suite and prepared to
go on board as the guns fired Presidents
salute. A halt was ordered until the Des-
patch got under way, when with a loud
blast of whistles the column of boats fol-
lowed in behind, bound south to Bedloe's
Island.
The vessels presented beautiful sight as
they steamed down the Hudson. On reach
ing Bedloe's Island they passed astern of
the men-of-War anchored below the island,
then up between them and the island they
came to abreast of the statue, head on the
tide, where they remained at anchor until
the end of the ceremonies at that point.
The scene at Bedloe's Island was one that
beggars all description, one unprecedented
in history, and one which in all probability
will never be counterparted in future his
tory. New York harbor was fairly alive
with boats and shipping, small tugs and
Government cutters darting to and fro on
errands of haste and impatience, while the
silent, solid forms of the men-of-war lay
quietly at anchor. In a semi-circle to the
south of Bedloe's Island were anchored the
seven men-of-war, Tennessee, Minnesota,
jamestown, Yantic, Portsmouth and Lance.
They were decorated with flags of all
nations, and had on their gala dress for the
occasion. To the south of the statue, at
the base of the pedestal, was platform
large enough to accommodate the 1900
guests that had been invited, and against
the pedestal, facing the assemblage, was d
stage for the speakers. This was tasteful
ly decorated with the flags of France and
America, and in the center, above the stage,
hung large shield bearing the name "a.
Bartholdi' at the top and the word ''Liber-
tyr in the middle. The island was guard
ed by 200 police officers under Captain
Clinchey.
While waiting for the Presidential party
Gilmore's band played national airs and
made the dlSagreeable waiting In the rain
as pleasant as possible. AS the cutter De-
spatch, with the President on board, made
its way through the harbor the yards of all
the men-of-war were manned, and the
Presidential salute of twenty-one guns was
given. In few moments President Cleve-
land, accompanied by General Schofeld,
Major General Banks and Leverett Salton-
stall, officially representing Massachusetts !;
Judges Lawrence, Hail. Hoar and Book
staver appeared and proceeded to the stage
amid the cheers of the assemblage, which
remained standing during the passage to the
stand. Amid the firing of the guns DIR.
Storrs began his prayer. He gave thanks
for the kindly affection from one great peo-
pie toward another, and asked that we
might make a right use of the occasion,
that no violence of the elements or destroy
ing earthquakes would ever render this
great work futile, and that we might adj
vance in the arts and sciences. He asked
for prosperity for the officers of the two
nations, and that whatever was good in
history might continue. The preacher end
ed with the Lords Prayer, in which the
people joined.
General Schofield then introduced M. De
Lesseps, who spoke in French. In the
course of his address he said: GA generous