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

the citizens Of the American metropolis and the
many thousand strangers within her gates arose
from their beds yesterday morning. The day
which was to witness the beginning Of the most
magnificent celebration ever undertaken in the
new world had arrived, and had brought with it
recocctions, neither inSpiriting comforting, OF
the day five years and five months before, when
the evacuation Of New-York by the British troops
bad been commemorated. 1t was the weather
that acted the part Of an ungracious reminder
On the morning Of November 20, 1888, the people
Of New-icrk had risen to witness a spectacle with
some features like unto yesterdays. The public
imagination had been stirred by vivid descriptions
of the little army of occupation one hundred
years before, marching proudly down the Bowery
Road, through n nippng, eager air that put
elastic energy into every movement, while the
spirit of victory frightened every eye.
Tho commemorative spectacle was expected to
be equally inspiring TO the inheritOrs of the boon
won by those gallant troops, with its picture
of vast city bedecked with glad bunting, its
receptions Of National digntaries, and its military,
c,vlc and marine parades But sunrise ushered
in darksomc day, with heavy clouds hanging
over the city, bleak, penetrating wind blowing
itfully, yet unable to lift the flags which clung,
heavy with water, about their stalrs and when
II, ZOO soldiers and the $4,000 civilians started
on their march, the rain began falling again in
an insidious, disgusting drizzle, while danl clouds
of mist driving before the wind, scarcely higher
than the housetops, obscured the marine picture
and made the demonstration little more than Il
hollow mockcry.
Unhappy memories these with which to wake on
the morning of the hundrcdth anniversary of the
establishment Of the executive department of
constitutional government in the New World.
But the weather to blame. Those who were
awake at o'clock heard the rattle of rain-dropS
upon the window paneS; and when the tardier
multitude breakfased three or four hours later
the Sky had Il sullen look, MASSES of black clouds
hung low in whichever direction inquiring looks
were turned and mOmentarly threatened down
pour like that which took the crispness and brill
fancy out of the Evacuation Day festivities. The
wind uttcrcd the bunting gayly enough, but il
was long before the agcr thousands were gratilcd
BY the sight Of all the gloom dissipated and the
benison of bright ght resting on houses,
streets, rivers and bay.
Meanwhile there were no signs that the ardor
of the multitude had been chilled. BEGINNING
with early morning the city sent its thousands
in steady streams kouthward through streets and
avenues that in stretches looked like aisles cut
through = WILDERNESS OF IFl-cOlOru DuIHllnGS
Scarcely house so humble but it could show
its little spot of gay and patriotic hunting.
The storm of the preceding three days had marred
the picture in places, and the lowering skies
had discouraged some from renewing their be-
draggled decorations, but enough remained to give
the city more bravcly patriotic appearance than
ever it bore before
One purpose occupied the minds of the host
hot bod or1l l.1 ont n holiIoV. ,rns 70
much as possible Of the great naval review and
the reception OF the President of the United
States who came to rc-cnact some of the core
monies with which his august predecessor Ind
been greeted century before. To witness those
imposing scenes il necessary to be in the
lower part of the city Seven miles Of the city's
waterfront showed deep fringe of humanity
whose dark line was not interrupted BY steam
ship piers or warehouses These the crowd mounted
and their perpendicular sides alone were bare
The roofs Of the high buildings in the lower part
of the city, which commanded a view of the
bay, were black with people, the Produce
Exchange alone being unpopulated. The outer
edge of this dark human fringe was adorned
more gayly than any of the avenues. Here lav all
the water-craft not concerned in the taradc that
could find anchorage or wharf-room, all loaded
with sight-seers and all bedeckcd with auttering
flags and pcnnants.
No prctticr spectacle of the kind can be imagined
than vessel IN gala dress. Sightsccrs at the Bat
terry who could see the warships dressed with the
rainbow arch OF flags and signals can testify 10 this
They, too and the thousands on the housetops in
the lower part OF the islnd saw n spectacle rs
beautiful as it was impressive in the Upper Bay
The perspective is of course deccvng in views If
this kind. but from the shore ii seemed rs if the
capacity Of the harbor that might offer shelter
10 all the navies of the world was being tested.
Hundreds of brightly caparisoned craft filled the
watery field between Governors and Bedlow's
Islands on the north and Staten Island on the
south and the Long Island and New-Jersoy shores
TO the east and west. TIL noon the vast fleet,
after once it had gathered itself together, lay
motonless except when saucy tug now and then
dashed hther and thither, il 70 rid itself Of sur
pIus enthusiasm and energy. Along the western
edgr of the fleet lay line of warships stretching
down toward the Robbins Reef light. On them all
eyes were bent, for by their conduct the distant
spectators were to learn Of the approach OF the
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