Omaha daily bee., 1889-05-01


avenue on the wind announced 10 those In
the stands at Madison Square the ap-
proach OF the parade. The scene at the
square was "a brilliant one, For fully two
hours before the parade arrived the stands
were occupied by people who had determined
TO be patient and thereby SECURE good seats.
The hotel windows presented an attractive
scene. a man who had certainly as fine
view as anybody had perched himself on top
Of the principal arch in front Of the
Fifth avenue hotel. Among those
who wandered around In the vicinity of the
stands prior TO the arrival of the parade was
ex-Secrctary Bayard.
At 1 o'clock there was stir about Madi-
son square which indicated the drawing near
of the president and party. The soldiers had
arrived at Twenty second street and were
drawn up on either side. leaving an avenue
through which the distinguished party could
be driven. Soon after o'clock the carriage
containing the president drove up. Mayor
Grant was with him. Following them were
Vice President Morton, General Sherman
and Senator Evarts Ex-Presidents Cleve-
land and Hayes occupied another carriage.
Chauncey M. Depew occupied a carriage
with Bishop COrrgan.
On the stand President Harrison occupied
the center. On his right was General
sherman, and on his left was Mayor Grant.
To the left of the latter were exPresidents
Cleveland ana Hayes. ...
But few minutes elapsed after the arrival
of the presidential party when the military
parade started. With hardly halt, the
great column moved on past the grand
stand, and it was twenty minutes past 8,
five hours and twenty-five minutes after the
start, when the last of 1t had passed and the
president was able to rest his right arm,
which had for five hours been constantly
busy in answering salutes. Throughout
fine fine s1aisrs spnsarance made The g. remarkably
came at the end and were received all along
the route with cheers and hurrahs though
nearly every one who had viewed the long
parade was thoroughly tired out. From the
Madison Square reviewing stand to the dis
banding point at Fifty-secopd street, the
crowd was If anything thicker than below
Twenty-thlrd street. AS the hours wore on
the crowd refreshed itself with fruit sand
wiches and drinks, purchased from the ven
dors who swarmed on every side. From the
common council stand came q perfect rain of
oranges to the tired soldiers whenever the
column halted. Barrels and boxes TO stand
on were readily bought at from % 10 80
cents, and seats on trunks were often twice
filed as original purchases became tired and
forsook them. Many persons brought chairs
and camp stools to stand on, and one long
headed individual carried a step.ladder about
which he planted wherever he pleased. The
churches were well patronizcd. Accidents
were exceedingly rare, although faintng
spells were common enough. On the whole,
the entire affair was most admirably man
aged.
Governor Hill, IN closing his address of
welcome, said:
"The sentiments of every true American
are expressed in the hopet that faction may
not destroy, that pride may not injure, that
corruption may not undermine and that sec
tionalsm may not divide this fair republic,
but that its borders may be still further
extended, its commerce float on every sea,
The stars upon its flag DO treblcd, its free in
stituJions live on and flourish aud its liberty
i'm In N n he. h
lem of elf-government so long as freedom
itself exists aud until tine shall be no
more"
AT THE METROPOLITAN.
The Metropolitan opera house was the
scene of the second chief event of the great
centennial celebration, ana the theatre OF the
greatest banquet possibly ever held within
the recollection of man. =,
The interior decorations of the now his
tOrical building cXceHed the splepdor and
display the ball of the ppsvious niEht. The
stage and auditorium coEnectcd in one con-
tinuous floor was the foundation of
twenty-five tables arranged in double horse
shoe fashion, with a seating capacity of 5000.
Nearly 5000 wine glasses gitterod at inter-
walls along the array of tables, and 200
walters, as well drilled as SO many soldiers,
stool ready to respond 10 the slightest wink
of the diners. The tables were eaborately
decorated. The expense OF the dinner is said
to have been S35, 900, the wine alone causing
| an expenditure of nearly $4,000. The bill of
fare in print was eight inches long and of
French construction, being wound up with
twelve varieties OF wine and three corlials.
Over the presidents seat, surrounded by
flaming American flags, was suspended a
huge picture of the head and bust of Wash
irgton.
AT Mayor Grants right hand sat the presi-
dent, and Governor Hill was on the mayor s
left Next to the president sat Vicc-Presi-
dent Morton. The others were Chiet Justice
Fuller, General s;choheld, Senator Evarts,
ex-President Hayes, Bishop Potter, Secre-
tary Proctor and General Sherman. On
Governor Hills side were Judge Charles
Andrews, Admiral Porter, Senator His
cock, eX-President Cleveland, Speaker
Cole, of the New York state assembly,
Hon. s. S. Cox, Clarence w, Bowen and Ell
bridge II. Gerry.
1t was liutle after o'clock when the
president escorted by Governor Hill and
Mayor Grant, entered the great dining
room. They were followed by Vice-Presi-
dent Morton ana Lieutenant-Governor
Jones, of New York, and other distinguished
guests OF the mayors table. AS the party
walked down the aisle Of the auditorium all
the assembled diners stood up in recognition
of the presidents arrival and the band played
Hail to the Chof.n The presidents party
stood back of their chairs with bowed heads
while Bishop Potter made the opening prayer
of grace, and dinner was begun at signal
from the banquet director. 1t was announced
that Secretary Blaine was unable to be pres
ent, ana IfeSlueHt HARRISON b address, ,WnlCD
was at the end of the list, was scheduled to
replace Secretary Blaine's, which was
half way down the toast list
At the conclusion of the invocation Mayor
Grant rose and read the list OF toasts. Gov
ernor Hill was introduced as the first
speaker and in u brief speech, welcomed the
guests.
Following Governor Hills welcome, ex
President Cleveland was introduced, and re-
! sponded to the toast, "Our People, as fol
lows
"The mention of people may we'll suggest
sober ana imp essiva elections. Wherever
| government has been administered in tyr
| amy, in despotsm or oppression, there has
| been found among the governed yearnne
| for freer condition and au assertion OF
| mans nobility. These are but the faltering
| steps of human nature In the direction OF
| freedom, which is its birthright, and they
presage a struggle Oi men to becomes free
| people and thus reach the plane of theil
! highest and best aspirations In this rcla
| tion, and in their Cry for freedom, 1t may bt
| truly said The voice of the people is tn,
| voice of Cod The influence of these
| reflections is upon me as l SPEAK
| OF those who, after darkness anc
| doubt and struggle, burst forth into tho
| bright light of independepce and liberty an(
became Our People free, determined ant
ontident-challenging the wonder of the
| univcrse-proclai,nin the dignity of mar
and invoking the aid Bnd the favor of Al
J mighty God. Ia sublime faith and rugged
| strength our fathers cried out TO the world
| 'All the people Of the UnIeu States In order
TO form more perfect union, establish jus