New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-05-31
HONOR TO THE UNION DEAD
MEMORIAL DAY WIDELY OBSERVED.
TIE PARADE or SPECIAL SIZE AND BRfLLiANcf-
HOSTS AT THE CEMETERIES AND CROWDS OF
PLEAsURE-sEEKERs-BAD WEATHER
FAILED TO cRECK THE

FAILED TO cRECK THE
oUTPoURIyG.
There have been brighter and fairer days than
yesterday for the festival Of flowers in memory OK
the Nations glorious dead just as there was one
darkened with the awful tragedy Of the blood
baptism Of the splendid structure that spans tho
East River to unite two mighty cities but the
celebration this year attested the growing popu-
larity Of the holiday beyond all previous years
and gave a more impressive character to the ohi'
cial services. It was day to be recalled by moro
than one special feature. May refused to break
the rainy record she has built up throughout three
weeks, although the skies were merciful enough to
limit the rain drops to q sprinkle, and only leu
them fall after the breaking up Of the parade.
And all the preparations Of the citizen soldiers ana
the veterans Of the war to make the occasion
memorable were crowned with q success that gave
the mighty host of sghtseers pageant moro
brilliant in color glitter and grace and more inn
posing in the number and variety Of organizations
embraced in it, than New-Iork has witnessed Oh
Decoration Day in years.
There was sharp contrast, too, in the attltude
of the Chief Executive of the Nation this year and
year ago toward the day consecrated TO tho
honor of the fallen heroes. No sport OF rod or
reel lured hlm away to selfish leisure; the shadow
Of a coming contest where even the votes OF gall
LIANT defenders of the Union will count found him
q willing participant in the review OF the boys IN
blue. There must have been some keen reconec@
tions of past words and deeds that found no APP
proval from the sturdy survivors OF the crash OK
battle and the test of march and bivouac as tho
files swept by the reviewng gstand, but In THIS CITY
every mark of respect dictated by convention
ality honored the President of the United States.
Better than ALL while sympathy stirred in the
hearts of soldier veteran and civilian for the gal
LIANT sufferer who fights at Washington the dread
foe whose final work none can undo the day weno
by without the gloom that had lately menaced the
festival from fear Of the sad surrender OF tho
hero Of Winchester.
So threatening clouds and an atmosphere that
seemed itself to be choking for breath failed to
mar the success Of NewYorl's celebration in honor
Of the Unions fallen Then when the Streets
which had been animated with color Of trooper
and veteran and musical with martial strains were
given up to the scattering crowds Of pleasureseek-
ers the boys in blue and the thousands who have
friends and loved ones whose memories are pre-
cious to cherish, thronged to the cemeteries IN
and near the city, and with wealth OF flowers
gave tribute to the fame Of those who need no
earthly honors. Crowds took their way on foot?
crowds loaded the trains that were thick on tho
rails that led to and from the city, and II tho
was called unprecedented for the day, the throngs
that visited the simple tomb at Riverside and tho
cemeteries here and close at hand fully reached
the record of recent years
Business was hushed throughout the city In all
the principal marts of activity, and the silent Ex-
changes downtown were matched by the vaeano
stores in all the thoroughfares Of trade evidence
OF the completeness with which the holiday is now
observed. While the duties Of the day were per-
On bebb arg bSdsv sGas ' Ss of the festival
character that it has attained in recent years.
Lovers of sports and athletics had surfet OF at,
fractions, and the turf the diamond the river and
the field found patrons by the thousands who de.
fled the discomfort Of the crowded channels OF
communication and the drawback of the swelter-
ing unsettled weather. The mighty crowds that
moved and shifted in and about the great city
reached their homes at night with no serious mis-
hap written in the record
THE PRESIDENTS BUSY DAY
HURRYING THROUGH TWO REvIEws-A LISrLEss
AND PERFUNCTORY CEREMONY.
In accordance with the programme, the Pres
ident and his three Secretaries with Colonel La
mont left Mr. Whitney's house in West Fifty
seventh-st. before yesterday morning and, es-
corted by Chairman Limbecll and other Grand
Army officials, drove 70 the Windsor Hotel. After
brief time spent here the party was taken to tho
reviewing stand in Madison Square. The Pres-
ident hat in hand all the way down, bowed POI
litely to the plaudits he was receiving from tho
crowded sidewalks, doorways and windows which
he passed. Behind him came the carriages con-
tanning Secretaries Fairchild Whitney and En-
dicott, and Private Secretary Lamont, escorted by
noted officers of the Grand Army. Those who
looked for the arrival of Mr.. Depew and Colonel
mgcrsoll were disappointed. The absence Of Cow
ernor Hill and of Mayor Hewitt was also the SUBJ
ject of no little comment. Whatever misunder-
standing there may have been about the invitation
to the Mayor there was certainly none in regard
to Governor Hills.
When the President had gotten into position,
the review began. Chairman Limbeck stood at
Mr.. Cleveland's left hand; the Secretaries of the
Treasury War and the Navy just behind
him; General n. NJ. Curtis, the Commander-in-
Chief of the Grand Army Of the State of New-York,
was near him. and not far off were ex-Mayor
Grace, Roosevelt p Flower, Police Justice A. J.
White General Asa Bird Gardiner Judge Randolph
B. MARITIME Colonel David B. Brown, and General
N w. Day. Major George w. Mclean, command
ing the Old Guard and Major Joseph Forbes,
commanding the veteran escort stood near By.
HOW Mr.. CLEVELAND LOOKED.
The sun, although it did not shine brightly, was
in the Presidents eyes and gave his face q con-
stantly puclxered-up expression. lie wore close
fitting Prince Albert coat, and the heat
forced him constantly to use his handkerchief to
wipe away the perspration. While the veterans
were passing him, he wore smile, but it made
little difference as far they were concerned.
for few of them looked at him. STILL the regula-
tions were carried out to the letter. The COM
manding officers saluted with their swords and
the colors were dipped in front of the reviewing
stand.
For two hours Mr.. Cleveland took off his silk
hat and put it on again the various regiments
and posts marched by. At last the show was
over for him, and Thomas B. Rutan, of the Kings
County Memorial Committee and United States
District Attorney Mark ID. WILDER took charge
of the President and his friends and drove at a
rapid speed down Broadway to the East River
Rridarn the river and b.. of EIltnn-