Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1888-05-31

NEW YORK, May 3l.-Decoration Day
opened cloudy and warm. and the sky hac
threatening appearance the greater part
the day. Business was almost entirely
suspended, the banks were closed and the
custom house and postoffice were only
open for few hours for the entry and
clearance of vessels. The city bore a holi.
day appearance, the flags flying at half
mast from the public and many private
buildings. All the statues in and about
the city were decorated with flowers and
flags The sport-loving patrons attended
Athletic games, base bail matches, horse
races, regattas and other amusements OF
which there was an abundance.
The procession was one of the largest and
most successful that has ever turned out on
q similar occasion, and thousands from all
parts of the city thronged the sidewalks on
either side of the line of march and the
large plazas in Madison and Union squares,
through which it passed.
President Cleveland, who reviewed the
procession, rose at O'Clock in the morning
and breakfasted with Secretary Whitney
and his family at the Whitney mansion, on
Fifth avenue, where he spent the night
At $40 O'Clock the President, accompanied
by J. c. Limbeck, Chairman of the G. A, r.
memorial committee, entered an open car
riage and was driven TO the head of the
other carriages were Secretary Endicott,
Ex-Mayor Grace, Secretary Fairchild, Sec,
retary Whitney and Private Secretary La
mont A citizens committee, under COM
mand of General Curtis, and the Old Guard
commanded by General Mclean. acted as
escort to the President and his party.
At $50 O'Clock the procession started
down Fifth avenue. The Presidential
party alighted opposite the reviewing stand
on Madison Square, and took the places
reserved for them. As the President ap-
peared on the stand he was greeted by
cheers from the throngs of people that filled
the square.
The president bowed several times in re-
sponse He then shook hands with several re-
porters and told them ne felt we'll 81 hope
to return TO Washington tonight" he said
to them, 'as l have business of importance
10 look after" The First Brigade, n. g. 5.
n. Y. commanded by General Louis Fitz-
gerald, acted as escort to the Grand Army
of the Republic and was next 70 pass. The
Richmond Greys accompanied the Ninth
regiment As they passed the President,
every man saluted and their colors dipped.
The President bowed several times in re-
sponse and the crowd of spectators cheered
the Southerners. Grand Marshal Loeser,
who rode at the head of the G. A. R., Posts,
was accompanied by Buffalo Bill"
There were fifteen divisions of Grand
Army Posts All of them saluted the Pres
ident There were colored posts, every
man of which raised his hat as he passed
the President. Accompanying Naval Post
SIG G. A. R., was wagon on which was
mounted a miniature man-of-war. As it
passed the President. three salutes were
fired. The floral division was the last in
the procession. In this there were forty
large wagons and trucks filled with flowers
to be placed on soldiers graves in neighbor
ing cemeteries. In this division were also
several wagons filled with school children.
Preceding the floral division was the
American Flag Legion. each man in which
carridd an American flag. Another feature
of the procession was mounted band of
100 of Buffalo Bills Indians.