The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-07-05

The greatest holiday OF America.
which celebrates IT'S coming into being as
nation. was observed in Seattle yester-
day In a manner beitting its moment.
The people Of Seattle did not rejoice
alone for they were joined by their neigh
bors from all parts Of Puge; sound and
by thousands from across the border
who thus showed the friendly feeling
which exists between the two great ma
tons OF the Eaglish speaking race and
showed their appreciation of the corsii-
alisy with which Seattle people Joined in
the celebration OF the queens birthday
at Victoria. The visitoA came In by the
hundreds on every train and steamer TO
swell the crowds on the streets over
flow the hotels and enjoy the eatertain-
ment which the citizens had prepared for
them
The incessant bang OF fireworks began
even before the great day had dawned
and was redouhled after the national sa-
lutte at sunrise had announced its dawn
ing. At o'clock the stirring strains oe
national airs rendered on Pioneer placa
by the First Regiment band was the Sig
nal for great bodies OF men 10 march
hither and thither in gala attire to tho
rendezvous OF the great parade. Al
though the weather was unpropittous,
and drizzling shower soon Increased
TO a pouring rainstorm the ardor of tha
holiday makers was not dampened for
they refused TO be driven from the
streets and the programme was carried
out TO the letter.
The parade started punctually at tho
time SET and was so grand In it's appoint-
ment and organization and so thoroughly
representative of every interest OF tho
community as to illustrate the unity OF
sentiment which pervades the people. 10y
atty 10 the republic and confidence in the
opening year OF prosperity, so .aat tho
~~k,.. ~ tHa n,af its,nS al
TO die with the sound OF the marching
thousands. The honored governor or tho
state. with his staff and the officers of the
National Guard. the mayor and city off,
cials, headed the line. and were followed
by the citizen soldiers and by the veter-
ans, whose ranks death is fast thinning.
by the civic societies. the labor unions and
rhe exhibits OF the productive industries
that are the source OF the city's prosper
ity. Such splendid display OF artisticaaly
designed floats has rarely been seen. and
all seemed 10 vie with one another In taste
and In originality of design and perfection
OF detail
inspired by this spectacle the people
crowded the Armory TO its doors TO hear
the noble words OF the Deciarticn of Inde-
pendence which made America nation
iia years ago, and to hear the chosen chief
OF the state one of Its chief orators. ana
aworthy representative OF the Indian race.
explain It's lessons 10 the piscthh N'ANta~
ton. The great future in store for the
Evergreen state was the subject OF poem
nv one OF the city's most gifted citizens
Meanwhile the less serious but no less en-
ioyahle observance OF the day had already
herun. The international yacht race was
sailed over the Seattle Yacht Club course.
and about thirty Of the swiftest craft on
,he Coast contested for honors for speed
and the skill of their navigators, The sail
ors and their iusty rivals, the longshore-
men. competed In a tug-ofwar on Pionser
Place. and n number of other sports were
followed by n competitive drill or the three
local military companies. Immediately
after this came series of canoe and boat
races on the harbor, I'm which Indians ana
fishermen contested In hot rivalry. The
davis festivities ended with grand dis
nlay OF fireworks from n barge In me har-
hor. which was witnessed by thousands
from every point OF vantage.
A baseball game between the Seattle ana
Tacoma clubs, which was 10 have been
nlaved at Madison park. and an llumi-
mated naval parade, which WAS TO take
,iaca an the harbor were postponed until
,odsv ON account of the incicmency OF tho
weather.
The celebration will be continued today
with number OF interesting events, In
chstng boat races, athletic sports and
b,sahaIl game at Lake Washington; the
naval parade on the harbor. ana sham
battle on the Squire tract, 40 fhat mere
vrtlI t,e no lack OF entertainment for those
who have prepared for a two days stay.