The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-10-21

A Grand Pxrade-An Immense Crowd.
The Banquet to the President.

there ever p%sn q pdTaue al 1HlS tlAt
which has been witnessed by 50 many
people. The crowds in the streets were
larger than those which witnessed the
great parade at the time Of the dedi-
cation OF the Worlds fair buildings.
almost six years ago. The cold, dismal
weather. which has prevailed during
the jubilee festivities. prevailed today.
Notwithstanding. the most elaborate
arrangements OF the police department
there were times today when the crowd
was too great for the police To an
die. and at many places the crush at
times was dangerous. This was not
the fault Of the police or Of anybody.
1t was simply hat the throng was
greater than anybody expected, and
proved the geometrical proposition
that a larger body cannot be crowded
into a smaller space. After the parade
the jam in Jackson boulevard IN front
OF the Union League Club house was
frightful. Strong deteackments OF po-
lice. soldiers and and marines. while
attempting 10 arrest the massing of
the crowd. were pushed back, huddled
together and finally broken up and
scattered by the sheer weight OF the
throng. Long after the parade was
over. the boulevard was a mass OF
surging, struggling humanity which
would not move. and which could not
be moved until il pleased.
The greetings extended to President
Mckinley were enthusiastic TO the eN-
IRENE. as were the plaudits showered
upon General Miles and General Shat
ter as they passed through the streets.
The president in his carriage was sur
rounded by members OF the Chicago
Hussars formed in a square, and de-
tachments of the Grand Army, and OF
confederate veterans acted as an es-
cort. He led the parade from the start
ing at the foot of Congress street and
Michigan avenue TO the Union League
Club house, where in company with
all other distinguished guests, he
alighted and reviewed the marchers.
Throughout the entire march, past
the stand, which lasted a trifie over
three hours, the president remained
standing nor did he take a seat until
after the platoon of police, which form
ed the protecting line for the rear of
the parade, had passed down the boule-
ward. The parade was composed Of
military, civic and veteran organiza-
lions.
The Illinois volunteers and members
Of the regular army who had fought
in Cuba were greeted with vociferous
cheers along the whole line of march.
After the parade the multitude in
front of the club called repeatedly for
the president and he made a short adj
dress from the balcony. After the
conclusion of the presidents remarks
there were loud calls for General Miles
and Shafter, bue neither of these gen
tlemen would maxi his appearance,
and the crowd after cheering the presi-
dent as he left the club house for the
home of Captain McWilliams, slowly
dispersed.
THE GRAND BANQUET.
For the third time since the COM
mencement the peace jubilee festivities
were shifted to the auditorium and the
third and last scene to be enacted
within the great hall was the most bril-
liant, beautiful and successful of them
all. 1t was the great national jubilee
peace banquet rendered to the presi-
lent of the United States and dis
tinguished guests by citizens of Chi
cagO. No similar event ever held with
in the auditorium surpassed in bril-
liancy and simple elegance the banquet
of tonight. No similar event ever held
there was more successfully managed
or brought to a more triumphant con-
clusiOn.
Nothing that could make the occa-
sion successful was wanting. The hall
was most tastefully decorated with
festOOns of smilaX, caught here and
there by clusters of American Beauty
and La France roses. In the center OF
, ZACH of the thirty-three long tables
placed for the accommodation of the
| guests were banks of the same bright
flowers, banked with ferns, while al
either end groups Of roses and SmilaX
were tastefully arranged. Upon each
table was a profusion of lights shad-
ed, some in a delicate shade of orange,
| . l4- - -.~1- "a -..l1 - -, -
son.
Twelve hundred guests, among them
men prominent in all branches Of bust
ness, science, art, men of brilliant rec
ord upon the sea and men famed for
deeds of arms done on shore. were
standing by their chairs when a tan
| from the gavel of Franklin MacVeagh,
the presiding officer. announced the APP
| proach of President Mckinley. The
orchestra struck up Hail to the
Chief" and as the strains of the old
welcoming march were heard, the
| president. attended by the jubilee re-
ceptiOn committee, came down the CEN
ire aisle, bowling right and left in ac-
acknowledgements of the applause his pres
ence evoked. AS he took his seat the
200 guests followed his example, only
to rise an instant later while DR..
Frank Cane delivered a short and elo-
quent invocation.
| Then for two hours the MARTIAL wants
of / 200 men received close attention.
Mr.. Mckinley was seated at the right
hand of the postmaster. MacVeagh,
the others at the presidential table be-
ing Secretary Gage, Secretary Wilson,
! Secretary Bliss, Archbishop Ireland,
Clarke Howell, Captain Sigsbee, Gen
eral Miles, Governor Tanner, DR.. Frank
Crane. ex-Vice President Stevenson,
| Admiral Brown, Judge Emory Speer,
General Shafter, Samuel Gompers,
President Angel, Of Michigan univer-
sity, and President Northrop, of the
university of Minnesota.
AT 10 o'clock the preliminary portion
of the banquet having been disposed
of. a rap from the gavel OF Chairman
MacNeagh called the attention OF the
guests. Mr.. MacVeagh. who is always
most happy in his Introductory re-
marks. introduced President Mckinley,
announcing hat he would reply to the
toast. our Country"
II was several minutes before the
cheering had subsidized sufficiently II
| allow the presidents voice to be heard.
l His utfara noes wera fropuaptly graatad