Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1892-10-13

Nrw YonK. Oct. l2.-rhe celebration of
this. the greatest of all days, devoted 10
hoporing the discovery of this country, he
gan at 1, us this morning with hosting of
stars and stripes from the liberty pole at
the battery.
The weather was delightful. Early as
was the hour at which this opening cere-
monv was performed, there was large
crowd of people to admire it., and cheer
went up as the boom of the sunrise gun
from Fort William, of the battery, gave the
signal for the red, white and blue to be sent
fiuttering to the breeze.
Though still early in the morning hours,
portable stands and. carts built up with
slapting rows of seats began to be stationed
at points of vantage from the Battery up
broadway to Fourth street, then west
around Washington square to Fifth avenue,
to Fourteenth street, to Fourth avenue, to
Seventeenth street, to Seventeenth avenue,
and to Fifty-ninth street, where the parade
was eventually disbanded.
The route lust mentioned was the one
followed by the great military parade, and
it is safe to say that when 10 O'Clock drew
near there was not seat or standing room
to be had anywhere, in windows. on roofs,
where where a human being, large or small,
could find perishing room.
| Fabulous prices were paid for windows
and balconies. BY o'clock streets and
ferries were swarming with people.
| As the morning wore on thrliling ana
inspiriny effect was produced by hundreds
of bands of music which were playing on
all sides. as troops, sailors and firemen
I L L rfhp thrnuDh
streets on their way to different spots where
they were to take up positions preparatory
to Joining in with the grand march up
town.
The finishing touches had been gwen to
the decorations, and the city IN glorious
sunshine was great quiverlng mass OF
beauty, life, animation and joyour music.
| There were never such crowds seen Iii any
( American city before The great parade
started about 10 o'clock.
| Fully 1000 men by the time the parade
was started were either on the march or
| ready to join with the parade. As "a favor
ite corps was recognized cheer upon cheer
would arise from the masses on the packed
sidew alkes, windows and oyer-crowded
roofs of the houses bordering on or near the
route of the parade.
Citizens Joined in the general snouts'
which welcomed the gallant soldier boys as
they marched by, and then mingled with
them was the sound of hundreds OF bands
of music playing different tunes at the
same time. About city hall park, the post
| Office and court houses crowds were nearly
dangerously thick. Everything tended,
however, TO making the celebration as
grand a success as it was possible to be.
Dne could not dream of better weather,
of brighter scenes. of more numerous ann
joyous crowds OF of more attractive ana
soldierly body Of men than was witnessed
today. But New Workers were not alone III
the enjoyment of the parade. for fully 500
900 strangers, it is estimated, witnessed the
programme.
President Morton, members Of tho
cabinet and other distinguished guests re-
| viewed the parade from the grand stand al
Madison square.
| In the afternoon the imposing ccremonie'
of the unveiling of the Columbus monument
attracted thousands to Central park.
Addresses were made by Carlo Barsot'i
president of the Columbus monument e1'
| ecutive committee Governor Flower. Mayor
Grant and others. Archbishop CorrigaT
| blessed the monument, and it was unveiled
/ by Annie Barsotti, daughter of the president
I of the committee. During the ceremonies
! Italian banls played Italian and American
I hymns and the artillery fired nationa
| salute.