National Republican., 1888-02-23
ALEXANDRIA ALL AGLOW.
ENTHUSIASTIC CELEBRATION OF WASH
INGT0N'S BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY.
A Grand Military and Fire Depart
ment Parade which All Alexandria
and Thousands of Visitors Enjoyed
The city Beautifully Decorated.

In no place in the United States is the
celebration OF the anniversary OF Washing.
toms birth so thoroughly demonstrative as
In Alexandria, the city In which the illus.
trious patriot worshlped and where so
many of bis interests centered. Annually
the celebration has been regarded with
deeper Interest, and preparations for
elaborate display have been on cores
pondingly augment ed scale. The display
OF yesterday promised to surpass all others,
and consequently mu ch larger crowd OF
visitors than usual journeyed to the
ancient city Of Virginia to participate IN
and witness the demonstration. The ferry
boats ran extra trips and were crowded to
the utmost capacity; the w. w. Corcoran
brought down another large quota, while
all the trains on, the railroads ran extra
cars and all were crowded. From the
villages surrounding Alexandria came
thousands more until II seemed as II the
limits OF the city would not conveniently
hold all the visitors, In addition to It's own
population. Enthusiasts place the number
OF strangers In town at 12,OOO, but more
conservative computators say 5000 or 1000
Is good estimate. Whatever may be the
through which the procession was to move
were crowded with handsomely dressed aud
beautiful ladies, genteely attired gentle
men, and pretty little children.
1t seemed as II some factor or several of
them, must have been engaged for weeks
past making United States flags OF all kind
OF materials and Of oil sizes for the special
use Of Alexaudrians for this demonstra-
tion. Throughout King, Washington, Duke,
Prince, Royal, Fairfax, Queen, and other
streets the houses were almost buried in
bunting,while hundreds OF flags were added
to the decorations. From every window
numerous ensigns Of the greatest nation on
earth were displayed, across the main
thoroughfares larger exhibition OF some
patriotic emblems were hung, while all Of
| the city buildings, the clubs, hotels, and
| other public edilices were almost hidden In
the folds Of stars and stripes. Hundreds Of
residences also displayed the national
| colors.
Those who were to participate In the
| parade were about early In the morning
arrsyed In all the gorgeous regalia Of the
organizations to which they were attached.
Marsbals and aide, mounted on superb
horses, wearing bright colored ssshes,
dashed at break.neck speed through the
streets, giving and receiving orders and
attending to the last preliminaries OF the
great celebration. The volunteer fremen,
In fiery red and azure blue shirts, hurried to
their respective headquarters to give a
finishing touch to their machines that they
might gllsten In all the furnishings OF
floral decroations could bestow. The mill
tary In their somber uniforms looked as II
they were ready for active service. The
United States artillery, from Washington
arsenal, were drawn up on Washington
street awaiting orders to move, their field
pieces and horses In excellent condition.
The police force assembled at headquar-
tiers early In the morning, and, with Mayor
Downham, wss photographed Just previous
to the starting OF the procession. At noon
all the bells Of the city united in Babel Of
sound, announcing that the parade was
about to form. Mayor Downham, with
Congressman Lee, Mayors Nelson, Of War.
renton, and Norris, OF Leesburg, were es-
corted to their carriages, followed by the
members Of the city, council. Chief Mar
shal Windsor assembled his aids and pro-
ceeded to the corner Of Washington and
Queen streets, from which point the pro-
cession was to start.
Within half an hour Of noon the parade
was under way and all Alexandria and her
thousands ofstranger guests were witness
ing one OF the most memorable displays
ever given in that venerable city. Chief
| Marshal Windsor, with his numerous aids,
led the procession, followed by the mayor,
guests, and city council in carriages. Then
came the naval academy band with tue
Alexandra Light Infantry, acting as escort
to the military companies In the parade.
The excellent marching and military bear
ing Of the infantry won them much applause
from the spectators. The United States
artillery followed, then came the Cover
nor's Guards Of Annapolis, the Columbia
Rifles OF Washington, Merchants Rifles Of
Washington. Corcoran Cadets of Washing
ton, and st. Johns Cadets Of Alexandria.
The soldierly appearance and splendid
marching OF the Washington companies
under Disadvantages won them many well
deserved compliments. The st. Johns
Cadets bore themselves like veteran soldiers.
The second division was devoted to the
fire department, and gorgeous display
was made OF IT, Leading 1t was the Wash
ipgtop Veteran Firemens Association.
They wore the regulation fire hat and long
drab coats. They drew In line the o. 1
Friendship hand machine, with which
Washington ran for many years after itf
organization. The veterans marched with
vim and vigor, and looked as II they were
as ready and able to fight the destructive
element as in the palmy days when they
ran with the machine and combating fire
was to them the greatest enjoyment Of life
The Friendship Company OF alexandria
came next, drawing gaily decorated hose
reel on on which we're were lilipatia1 per
SSsihinSns %sshington ydraaiRen eSRs 'a No. N'l Il
blue shirts, a departure from thu
traditional red, were next in order
Their steam engine, polished until over
piece upon 1t glstened with marvelou
brllliancy, was drawn by pair of.sp lendit
horses, perfectly matched. The engine hat
but few floral decorations, the magnifcenc'
of the apparatus making a sufficiently at
| tra a ic nile hn pft tba anD
pany was drawn by two beautiful whit,
horses. With this company paraded th
delegation of Richm ond firemen. Tht
Hook and Ladder Company. its members
wearing white shirts with white fire hats
followed the lIydraulions and presented
an exceptionally good appearance. Their
truck, drawn by four white horses
streamers, and wreaths. A uniqu,
feature Of the procession came next
1t was about fifty Juveniles, arraye(
In the full uniform OF the Columbia Frt
Company, drawing miniature reel. The
company was known as the Columbi,
Juniors and preceded the senior organiza
tion, which was one of the strongest look
ing bodies In the parade. Their machin,
also had been highly polished and amos
Elegant roses, lilies, and other beautiful
flowers were harmOniously arrGyed II
unique designs aud attractively displaye,
from all parts OF the engine and hose reel
The left OF the procession was devoted t
civic organizations, clubs, and an lndustrIa
display OF several local firms, many o
whom introduced novelties In floats,
The procession moved through all IN
rircipal streets and was enthusiasticsll
cheered at all points, IL was nearly
O'Clock before the parade was dismissed
| At the conclusion Of the parade the vlsi
tors were entertained at luncheon by th
/ local organizations at the market house
Mayor Downham invited the city official
and members Of the council to an elegan
s. collation. at his house. lie dispensed th
hospitalitles In q style which well maiI
tanned the reputation In that line acquire
, by large hearted Nirginians. =,