The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-03-06
THE DECORATIONS.

The decorations Of the city were ex-
ceedingly effective with but one notable
exception. That was the treasury de-
partment. the majestic lines Of which
were ~disigured in violation Of all rules
Of taste. Each of the graceful futed
columns Of the eastern facade on Fiji
teenth street was partially swaddled
in striped pantalettes, falling short
OF the pediments, exactly after the
fashion Of Uncle SANS trousers as
depicted in the comic papers, and over
the entablatures at each end, and also
over the main eastern entrance, the
shield and eagle of the United States
were daubed upon a hideous yellow
background, the whole forming a taw-
dy combination which a third rate cir
Gus would have scorned to display.
Everywhere else, however, the scenic
effect was fine, and ever the bad taste
displayed in the treasury drapings was
in part obliterated by the animated con-
course of employees and their families
and guests who occupied the temper
airy seats which piled tier above tier,
reached half way up the sides IF the
building and entirely covered the gar
den at the south end, looking down
Pennsylvania avenue. The pavilion in
front Of the White house from which
President Mckinley reviewed the re-
turning procession, was a thing Of
beauty-an architectural reation of
white and gold, strongly resembling in
it's apparently substantial pillars and
it's general outlines the portico Of his
toric Arlington, and conveying no i'm
preston that it was simply a fiimsy
structure Of wood erected for a day.
No grander theatre for such a pa
geant could we'll be fOund. Pennsylva-
MIA avenue, 125 feet from curb to curb,
along which the procession passed from
the White house to the capitol. presents
and uninterrupted vista of over a mile,
commencing with the massive Grecian
facade of the treasury department,
which intersects the view at one end,
and terminating in the beautiful white
marble dO~me-crOwned capitol at the
other end, with the needle-like shaft of
the Washington monument standing
sentinel guard on the right hand tow
ering 555 feet upwards to the clouds.
On all the little parkings and govern
ment formed by the diff
ferent angles of the intersecting streets
and the radiating gaily deco
rated stands had been erected, capable
Of seating at least 10000 people,, and
these were densely packed with spec
tatOrs, one row above the other like
the rOwers of a Grecian trireme. The
entire route from the White house to
the capitol was banked with hOarsely
shouting enthusiastic sectators. All
street car traffic was, of course, sus-
pended along the route of the process
sion; the side walks were roped off ond
were SO with people that loco
motion was impracticable. Mounted
police prevented any one from attempt
ing to break through the "trOcha." 1t
seemed as ii W~ashington's normal pom
ulatiOn Of 200, Oo0 lac been swelled by
more than an equal number of visiting
strangers and that all were out to see
the sights. Every building on the lire
Of march was draped in bunting of the
national colors and every window and
point of vantage was occupied. The
beautiful stars and stripes were every
where seen, with other appropriate
banners and emblems. In addition to
these festive demonstrations so, 600
miniature United States flags had been
gratuitously distributed by the COM
mittee on arrangements. These were
exhibited at all available points and
were waved with enthusiasm as the
presidents and other known public
men rod by. At least 100, 900 r"~~ats
voiced a continuous welcome from the
time the procession started until the
capitol was reached. And these vOcif-
erations were still more enthusiast
cally echoed on the return trip.
The grand marshall entrusted with
the direction of today's pageant was
General Horace Porter, formerly of the
staff Of General Grant. His organizing
skill had been tested ir peace as wei
as in war-notably in the conduct Of the
great sound money procession through
the narrow to 'tuOus streets OF New
York city last October during the pres
identical campaign. With the broad av'
enues and smooth asphalted streets o.
Washington, General Porter had full
opportunities to display his genius TO.
controlling h movements OF larg'
bodies of men, and he availed himsel
Of them. From the nature of the day!
proceedings there were practically tive
D~0onrCinno fh0rrOh OF fhn o1nCo fh0y
merged into one massive Gnd impress
sive body, part military. part civic. ant
each most effective. The escort, largel.
military, but also consisting of gov
errors of different states and other dis
tinguished guests of honor which &C
companied the president and president
elect to the capitol, naturally fOrme'
in the immediate vicinity of the Whit
house, the executive mansion. TIL
civic organizations which followed tn
president and eX-president on their re
turn journey from the capitol to tn
White house were formed on street
adjacent to the capitol grounds. A
was so arranged that each division fe
into line at the appointed time withou
delay OF confusion.
The military division, preceded by
platoon of mounted police and followe
by the Governors Island On. y band
was headed, Of course, by the gran
marshal, his staff and aids, 300 in mum
Der, selected from all the states in tn
union. all we'll mounted, some wearin
crimson sashes and others white. TIL
grand marshal himself wore a sas
blending the national colors. By a haI
py thought invitations had been ex
, tended to all the living son of thos
r who had served as the nations chic
executives, and U. S. Grant, Webb {
: Hayes, Henry A. Garfield, Chester /
+ Arthur and Russell Harrison served q
special aids on the occasion. The fir:
. division of the military parade, CON
! manded by the gallant cavalry leade