New-York tribune., 1896-11-01
WE KNOW no "ENEMYs COUNTRY IN
THIS FAIR LAND OF OURS.

From the rear Of all the stands numerous
flags Huttered in the light breeze. hung list
lessly when the gentle airs died down. The front
of each Of the stands covered with white
muslin. and this was hal. hidden from view by
beautifully festooned American flags
Backess benches were provided for the privi-
legged thousands fortunate enough to secure tick
cts Of admission to the stands but In the centre
OF the principal one was group or some twenty
four chairs for the distinguished officials and
other persons Of note to occupy. This part OF the
stand was built out two or three feet In front OF
the structure in general and was ornam, lted In
the middle with large representation Of the
arms Of the United States.
The display Of flags and bunting around the
Square was not as profuse as those who had not
seen that part Of the city for day or two previ-
Gus had expected. On the east side nothing was
to be seen from the press seats save Few flags
on the Metropolitan Building. from whose tall
staff a large flag rose and fell. To the north the
empty brunswick looked grim and silent al
though there was a touch or two OF color on It's
front and one small flag hung on the Twenty
sixth-st corner. Up Fifth-ave the Stars and
Stripes were visible In profuson. On the west
side OF the Square also many flags were shown.
hut the Fifth Avenue Hotel reserved the bulk or
its decorations for the Twenty-thrd-st. front.
The Hotel Bartholdi made a brave show as TO It's
front and despite its being the headquarters or
the faithful. but not overworked Mr. ST. John.
some one early In the day flung 10 the breeze
from an upper window banner bearing the
names of Mckinley and Hobart In letters that
could be read block away
GATHERING EARLY
pefore 3 o'clock four young women had taken
tber stations In the front Of the main stand
They came early and they stayed late. and no
others in the crowd displayed greater interest or
more unreserved enthusiasm. The police were
earlv on the ground. but found little to demand
their attention About o'clock number OF
the aids to the grand marshal passed down the
avenue on handsome horses. and drew APPROX
ing glancas from the several hundred people al
ready assembled In and near the square. Inc
marching Of several platoons or police on their
,,v tn the lower part OF the city was an incident
NJ interest about o'clock.
Nv that hour a number Of people had taken
s..,s nm the several stands and from then on the
crowd grew steadily. but at 1890 the STANDS were
No, more than half filled. Each person. as he or
sbe entered the stand received small nag ana
those who wanted two or more were readily sup
n,ied Before $50 Fifth-ave. was closed 10
vehicles above TweEty-third-st. and persons Oh
foot were not permitted 10 cross IL u'ie'" ''N'
could show good reason for doing So
Of those who came early, evidently intending
to make day OF It," a good many had proViueu
themselves with luncheon, and some women
brought big cushions to make themselves as
comfortable as possible Those who had not
neglected their parasos were glad OF their fore
thought for the sun beat down with almost the
ferceness Of July. Every one rejolced though
because the sky was clear and cloudless
Several hundreds Of policemen were on duty
In the Square and its immediate vicinity under
command OF Acting Inspector Harley pnt the
people who assembled orderly In disposi-
ton and submitted to restraint without mur-
murng Now and then boy would elude an
officers vigilance and make break into the
open space only to be caught moment later
and unceremoniously hustled out
Early in the forenoon the square and the re-
viewing stands were the objects OF special IN
terest to numerous camera fiends. and many
were the snapshots taken with kodaks ana
Photographic apparatus Of a more elaborate
sort The early comers to the stands were be-
sieged, zoo, by sellers Of bananas pears. apples
chewing gum and candy. and little later the
official programme OF the parade was hawked
about at 10 cents a copy. An amusing incident
of the forenoon was the attempt OF woman
to enter the stand on the west side OF the ave-