The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-09-02
BUT IN WAS NOT THE FORE
RUNNER OF ANY BLOODY
es 80. WATERLOO. ,sasse
FAIR WOMEN AND BRAVE MEN
WE'RE AcTohs IN A SPECTACLE
EXCELLED BY NONE IN
HISTORY.
PEAoE's PAGEANT noNoRs WAR
BY Extending to the Fighters OF a
Nation the Most Cordial
Welcome.


r h8Ats
Summit park was the Mecca of the
nation last night. and Summit avenue
was the Appian way upon which the
populace trode to reach the goal.
1t was q master brain, or coterie
or master brains which planned and
carried into effect the sublime specta-
Gle which bewildered the eye and en-
raptured the mind on this greatest of
Northwestern residence parkways.
The magnitude Of the reception given
the soldiers of '61-65, and the unique
and costly preparations made, not only
startled the thousands of visitors no
enjoyed the occasion, but surprised the
people of st. Paul as well, by the sue
cess which attained from it.
For the first time in the history of
the Grand Army Of the Republic a
city. in it's entirety, has planned and
executed a public reception for every
man who wore the blue, whether he
bore the title of general, or whether he
possessed the more humble title Of pri-
Vate in the rear rank. The great cath
Ole spirit Of the reception, the un-
bounded hospitality displayed, won
what was least sought for-the praise
and laudation of the countless visitors.
Do you think the, decrepit, hating
old comrade, in his tattered old suit of
blue, does not feel a keen pleasure in
receiving the warm clasp of a jew
eled hand? Do.cyou think for the mo-
ment that his heart, which once re-
sponded to the long roll Of the drum,
does not answer as quickly to the
CHEEKY Il am glad to see you" of beau
t1ful women and stately men? If you
do think he does not enjoy such things,
then think over the wonderful scenes
which were enacted upon Summit ave-
nue. last night. That great and mag
nificent boulevard, lined with the ia
latial homes Of the merchant and pro-
fessional princes, presented a scene
which has never been rivaled in the
new world; never equaled in the old
world, for the old world is not so dar-
ing in its ventures, or so lavish in it's
outpouring of hospitality.
The citizens of ST. Paul and it's great
quota Of beautiful and enterprising
women may well feel a pardonable
pride in the success of the open air
reception.
The scene cannot be described. Those
who failed to see 1t with their own
eyes will never appreciate the brilliant
scene they lost Starting at the lower
end of Summit park, and running for
nearly a mile up that great avenue,
with its surface of clean asphalt, fol-
lowing the curves of the street and III
ing it from curb to curb, was one great
moving mass of, men and women. Some
were attired in. the highest results Of
the dress fancier's art. Upon the
threats of the women, and ornament
ing their slender fingers, were dia-
monds and precious gems. There were
men in evening dress and the latest Of
fashionable garments. And then, too,
there were men and women from the
humber walks of life, but redo, ilnat-.
ing over all, in color, was The blue of
the Yankee soldier. Ever md Anon a
brilliantly uniformed band Of music
came down the avenue with swinging
step and music, which made the feet
Of the merest clod Jingle with it's stir
ring melody. And then, in strange and
incongruous contrast, drum corps of
boys would pass, the shrill pipers play
ing Her Golden Hair Was Hanging
Down Her Back" Upon their heels
would follow a few moments later a
great chorus of male singers, until
there, under the canopy of heaven.
with a. myriad of stars and countless
electric lights shedding their brilliance,
1t seemed as If the great American
public had chosen a new and fascinat-
ing manper of saying God bless you"
to the boys of 81
From until 1880 o'clock a great
and seemingly endless throng Of peo-
pie passed in review under the lights,
stopping now at this reception booth,
and now at that, until the entire six
had been done" to the satisfaction Of
the happy ramblers
The society women Of ST. Paul.
fianked by the society. and public men,
were divided among the great booths.
and stood for the entire time receiving
first this man of note and national
reputation and then a humble soldier,
whose hands since the close of the
great struggle had been continuously
hardened by toll and CRIME
The ladies were all very fashionably
dressed, many with low neck and
short sleeves. The gods were propf-
tious Jupiter early in the evening
dropped down to earth few scatter
Ing beads Of. rain as a reminder of
what he might do if he was so in
clined. But for once in his freakish
career a benign influence got the bet
ter Of him. and he closed the tap in
his great barrel. The old soldier then
has won the heart Of even the god of
rain, If not the god of war. Low
necks and short sleeves rwe not SO
very uncomfortable after all, for the
air was not cold, nor yet even sharp.
The house toilets of the women gave
this great open air festival Of good
will character and tone which i'm
pressed even the most cornmunistic
temperament.
The promonading was kept up for
three hours. ThSnstfollers started in
at the Summit parksdeception booth,
which stood the Ifahifs who have been
more prominent IA tile great prepara-
tons for the week. After exchanging
compliments here the Crowd passed on
dred yards acrossi Selbv avenue
During the oohfse OF the reception
at the park amp incident happened
which had a toiieh ofii real nature in
it. The floor of th9s pavilion had been
covered with a carpet. OF immaculate
white canvas. ThetgIare of the great
electric lights heightened the color,
and made the con trast between. it and
the royal green of the grass and foii-
age all the more sharp. There came
pause in the endless procession which
was filing past the ladies, and the
crowd parted, letting in a very hand
some man in a gorgeous uniform and
plumed helmet. With a military tread
he passed. to- the side of the ladies' and
made low bow, talked for few mo