The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1892-10-19
The Celebration at New York.

New York has certainly done herself
proud by the magnitude and enthusiasm of
the celebration which begun there on Sat
urday, October 8. The naval parade of
Tuesday was an immense and brilliant
affair, although there necessarily was
great deal of confusion. The Sun epitom-
ICES it thus. AS popular demonstration
the naval display in honor of Christopher
Columbus was unequaled in the history of
the United States. War ships, Yachts lner-
chant ships, tugs, excursion steamers, light
ers and barges in squadrons, fleets, SHOALS
and masses covered the waters of New York
harbor as wild fowl cover the feeding
grounds Of Carrituck sound. More people
were afloat on these vessels than were ever
seen atloat together by any American eye,
while more than two million spectators
gathered along the shores of the harbor
and river to gaze in wonder or admiration.
But as parade, an orderly procession upon
the sea, it was failure. 1t was a mob
atioat, a moving derelict, an animated mass
of fiotsam." The procession started in the
lower harbor at about half-past twelve
o'clock The police boats, which took the
place of the mounted police in the street pa
rades, went up through the Narrows ON
their way to the Turning point at the upper
end of Riverside park. The various divis-
ions of steamers, ferry boats, tugs, etc,
were formed in double line in the upper
bay and the police steamed through it,
showing the way to the fleet behind Nearly
every boat was crowded with people, Fol
lowing the police came the boats of the Off
GERS and the guests, and as they passed along
they were greeted with the almost deafening
blasts OF the paraders as well as the boats
which were out to sea- Then came the war
ships in columns OF threes, with Commo-
dore Erben on the Philadelphia in COM
mand. The distance between the ships
was 200 yards, and between the columns it
was 100 yards. The old and the new were to
be seen in the front rank, for there was the
Philadelphia, type of the modern United
States man-of-war on one side, with the old
monitor Miantonomoh on the other side
and between them was the French flag
ship ArethuSe, all well contrasted and all
gaily decorated The French gunboat
Hussard, the Italian cruiser Bauson and
the Spanish cruiser Infanta ISABEL were
interesting features of the parade, which
disbanded opposite Riverside Park. 1t is
thought 100000 people stood ON the bank in
this vicinity. Tuesday evening there was
parade of Roman Catholic societies, fire.
works on Brooklyn bridge, and other fes-
tivites.
Wednesday, the 18th, was the great day.
The city was alive with people, and it is
estimated that there were 800, 600 visitors in
town. The great parade started about ten
O'Clock at the Battery and disbanded at
FifGy-ninth street. Fully 10000 men, by the
time the parade was started We're either on
the march or ready to join in the parade.
Justify by the enthusiastic multitude. Vice
president Morton, members of the cabinet
and other distinguished guests reviewed the
parade from the grand stand at Madison
Square. In the afternoon the imposing
ceremonies of unwilling Columbus monu-
ment attracted thousands to Central Park
Addresses were made by Carlo Barsotti
president of the Columbus monument ex-
ecutive committee, Governor Flower, Mayor
Grant and others. Arch bishop Corrigan
blessed the monument and it was unveiled
by Annie Barsotti, daughter of the presi-
dent of the monument committee. The same
afternoon there was another grand parade
led by 5000 bicyclists. In this procession
were twenty historical floats of great in
terest.
Philadelphia also had big celebration on
Wednesday, and at Baltimore a monument
TO Columbus was unveiled. There were
celebrations in many of the large centers
of Europe, and Spain was aglow with en-
thusiasm.
The Columbian celebration at New York
reached it's conclusion Thursday, when
there was grand banquet in the LenoX
Lyceum. Several hundred of the best
known men in the country were present
The hall had been decorated with excellent
taste. AT the cap of each of the columns
gilt eagles were perched, having in their
beaks American flags. Between the col
umns alternately We're displayed the red
and yellow flag of Spain and the green,
white and blue of Italy. The balconies were
hung with designs of the ancient armor of
Italy and Spain. Prettily interspersed with
these designs were shields of the United
States, Italy and Spain. On the stage was
a large-sized painting of Columbus, draped
with Spanish flags. The band played " Hail
to the Chief as Vice-President Morton and
Mayor Grant were escorted to the head
table. Mayor Grant presided. AT the close
of the vice-president's speech he proposed
a toast to the wife of the president, express
ing hope for her speedy recovery, Secre-
tary Foster of the state department re-
sponded to the toast, "The United States"
Governor Flower spoke for the state of New
York; President Arnold of the board of
aldermen for the city; General Horace
Porter spoke on American Patriotism;"
c. G.. f. Wehle, Jr, secretary of the com
mttee of 100, had " America and Its Dis
coyerer' for his theme; Hon. William
Sulzer spoke ON "The Legislature of the
State of New York" and Congressman
Amos j. Cummings also spoke