New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-04-30

proach the city by wnter route as General Wash
ington had done hundred years before.
1t was some minutes after no0n when for down
toward Staten Island a cloud Of white steam rose
from the waiting craft. Steam whistles were
scrccchng their salute TO the Chief Executive of the
Nation. Then came on the water the sound Of
cannon. The Despatch, bearing the President and
his official family, had come into the Bay and the
naval review had begun. The air was wonderfully
clear, and the progress of the Despatch and the
steamers accompanying her could be followed by
the gradual approach of the cloud of powder smoke
ship after ship took up the Presidential salute.
But to those on shore the gladsome noise not
great. The wind blew from the southwest. and
carried the sound across Long Island All that
reached the thousands the roofs was m Irregular
series of booms like abysmaI notes from mOnstrous
drum. So too, the screeching and believing and
bowling and moaning Of the steam whistles which
united in gigantic dissonance to horrify the ears
of those on board the craft in the Bay, lost all
tops could only the wreathing steam, but
could not hear the hoarse and shrieking protests
of the brazen larynxcs from which it issued
While such observations are mailing. the Des-
patch proceeds up the line Colors are lowered,
the yards of the ships are seen to be manned
Steamers large and small fall in the wake of the
Despatch, and soon the whole feet is in notion
The warships weigh anchor and accompanied by
the revenue cutters and steam yachts, move up
the North River in stately array Now the pop
uar interest centres at the foot of WalI-st, spot
that had been conspicuous all the morning by
reason of the forest of masts with parti-colored
Ipa IN tb
the Despatch drops her anchor and, like Washing
ton hundred years before President Harrison is
taken into large boat and rowed ashore by a
crew of ship-captains, members of the Marine So
cicty. Now the formal portion of his reception
begins. Already at Elizabeth and Elizabethport
he had been made to feel the affectionate respect
and admiration commanded by his Office but now
he is formally welcomed by the Governor Of the
greatest State in the Union, the Mayor of that
States metropolis and officers of the committees
having the celebration in charge Accompanied
by a military guard of honor, the committees and
other civil and military dignitares, he is escorted
through Wall-st. to the Equitable Building, pass
ing on his way the spot where stood the Federal
Hall, on whose porch the first of his predecessors
took the oath Of office Then Wall-st was SIM
pie road between modest houses, its chief dignity
the building which housed Congress- Now is
borlered with buildings of marvellous size and
grandeur, whose erection has effected almost as
great contrast between the Wall-st of SS9 and
1870 as that between 1870 and 1889
After reception and luncheon in the rooms of
the Lawyers Club in the Equitable Building, the
same escort attended the President as he went
to the City Hall. where he held public reccp-
tion in the Governors Room. The City Hall
Park had become focus of public attention as
soon as the panorama in the Bay was dissipated
Police kept the plaza in front of the tastcfuly
and richly adorned bnilding free of pconle for
several hours before the time set for the recep-
tion, hut when the President arrived the walks
and streets and half the park were covered. The
weather had become tickle. Every few minutes
rain-couds were driven across the face of the sum-
\ gust of wind would scatter big drops of water
broadcast, and just as the thousands Of umbrellas
would open food Of sunlight would fall upon
the scene and the skies would seem to smile
vt the CONSERVATION of the multitude. Two
|, hundred grammarschool girls in white gowns two
from each school, carrying baskets of flowers to
which each grammar-Schoo girl IN the city had
been permitted TO contribute one blossom stood
in double TO give the President a floral
greeting Like the matrons and maids Of Tren-
ton hundred years ago, they srewcd flowers in
the pain or the CHOSEN Executive or the Nation,
who arrived at the foot of the staircase leading
TO the Governors Room, listened to an address
by young miss of the Normal School on behalf
Of the school children of New-lorll, and smiled
and nodded his approval she spoke of those
things which eXalt Nation. Meanwhile the
flowers which had fallen before the Presidents
feet were eagerly sought for and carried of
souvenirs by the girls themselves, the policemen
and the Grand Army officers who had acted
an escort
No drop of rain fell to mar this pretty cere-
mOny, but no sooner was it over than the crowd
waiting to enter City Hall were forced under
cover of their umbrellas. At night in the
Metropolitan Opera House, transformed into
miracle of beauty by the hand OF the decorator
and the gifts of Flora, graced by the presence
of the chief political dignitares OF the Nation and
the lovelincss and galantry of the cityS peO-
pie, took place the great Centennial Ball. Those
who attended moved about through "A pleasure
place worthy of IIaroun-a-Raschid and many
saw the dawn of the real fcstal day, to which
Yesterday was only prelude, for which it was
only preparation. To-day is Inauguration Day.