The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-09-06
THE QUEEN WALKED.
Appears on Foot Among the
People of Amsterdam.

more important ceremonies today upon
the occasion Of the long awaited en-
throning of Queen WiIhelmina, who
came of age August 81 The day began
with salute of 101 guns and a majestic
choral performed by trumpeters from
the crenated towers of the five great
churches of Amsterdam.
Crowds of people assembled early in
the morning and took up positions from
which to view the royal procession to
the Neukirk, an edifice that, in spite
of it's name, is 400 years old. BY 10
o'clock the Damplatz presented mag
nI1cent spectacle The center was clear
ed and the sides We're densely thronged,
the front places being reserved for the
children of the orphanages. The multi
tudes were kept back by lines of troops
of all arms.
From the principal gate of the palace
to the church, between lines of naval
cadets, was stretched a gay awning
decorated with streamers and velvet
carpetng was laid over the short DIS
tance which the queen had to traverse.
At 10:35,the princely families OF sake
tWelmar and WED drove to the church
escorted by cavalry with bands play
ing, drums beating and the troops pre-
senting arms.
Almost Immediately afterwards the
queen mother appeared in a state coach
which was surmOunted by a gilt royal
crown upon a crimson cushion. She re-
ceived an ovation and was greeted with
endless cheering and cries of Long live
the queen mother
About ten minutes later the beating
OF drums ana the DIaTS or TrunDSLS
signalled the fact that Queen Wilhel-
nina had left the palace and at that
very moment the sun burst from the
clouds in brilHancy which was looked
upon as being a happy augury for the
young sovereign.
The procession was headed by the
king s-of-arns with the heralds in their
gorgeous antique costumes and bearing
long trumpetS adorned with pendant
flags. But all the splendOr of the royal
retinue was overlooked by the vast
de-
turned upon the central figure of this
imposing functiOn-the young queen, on
foot amidst the people, decked with all
the emblems of royalty. On her head
was a diadem of diamonds, crown shap-
ed. Her robe was of white silk with a
long train under a mantle of rich, red
velvet, on which the lions of Nassau
were displayed in gold embroidery. The
mantle was bordered with ernine.
The sword of state was carried before
the young queen by a general.
Her majesty carried herself with
grace and fortitude but her blanched
cheeks were evidence of the profound
emotion inspired by the greatness of
the occasion.
The jewels worn by the young queen
were part of those stolen in Brussels
on Septem Der 9, 1929 Some of them
were recovered by the police of New
York, a year later, through infOrma-
ton which a Frenchman named Rou-
mage gave to the Dutch minister at
Washington.
1t is impossible to adequately de-
scribe the acclamations which greeted
the queen The roars of loyal cheers
grew louder and more sustained as her
majesty proceeded to the church, which,
in the meanwhile had been filled with
brilliantly robed ladies and uniformed
civilian and military authorities, naval
officers and members of the diplomatic
corps. The entire interior of the church
disclosed magnificent wealth of dra-
perry, banners. palms and flowers. In
front of the chancel was the throne, of
gorgeous crimson and gold velvet, with
the crown, orb, sceptre and sword oc-
cupying stools.
On the right of the throne were mem
bers of the royal family and on the
left were the Indian princes from the
Dutch possessions.
As the procession of the queen moth
er entered the church the assembly
arose and remained standing. The
queen mother wore a low necked dress
of light mauVe color, trimmed with lace
and covered with pearls. On her head
was a splendid tiara and on her breast
were displayed the insignia of the
Dutch orders. The maids of honor and
the ladies in waiting were dressed in
beautiful costumes, blazing with dia-
mOnds. They followed the queen moth
er who took up a position on the left
of the throne but who remained stand
ing until the arrival of her daughter,
the sovereign
Suddenly the king of arms. from the
portal of the church heralded the ar
rival OF Queen Wilheln1nap who enter
ed the building escorted by a train of
generals, each bearing an emblazoned
banner.
The choir, which included the great
est artists of Holland sang ''Wilhelmus
van NaSSauwe.
The queen, looking very well in her
robes of state bowed from side to side
as she passed on to the throne and
reaching it, she turned and again bow
ed and took her seat A moment later
her majesty arose and in clear and
perfectly calm voice, spoke as follows:
Gentlemen of the states general:
Since the death of my ever lamented
father and until have completed my
18th year the government has been in
the hands of my mo Their 1 nave now
assumed the government and have is
sued proclamation to my well beloved
people
.9The hour has now arrived when,
amid the faithful states general and in
voklng tn holy name of God shalI
pledge Ulyself to the people of the
Netherlands, to maintain their rights
and privileges. On this date I draw
more closely the solemn tie existing be-
twee n myself and my people. The very
anc'. ent union OF the Netherlands and
the House of Orange is confirmed
alresh. Beautiful is my vocation.
beautiful is my task. am happy and
grateful to be able to govern the Neither
lands people, a nation small in numbers
but great in virtue of its strength and
character. I esteem 1T a privilege and
a pleasing duty to devote all my
strength to the prosperity and welfare
of our fatherland; the House of Orange
can never, yea never do enough for the
Netherlands. I need your support and
cooperate and am convinced you
will lend me these in order that we
may be able to work together for the
honor and prosperity of our Neither
lands people. May this be the aim of
our life and may God bless you and my
labors for the salvation of the father
land
This first public utterance of the
queen to her people, was listened to
with profound emotion. Her enuncia-
ton was so perfect that her clear voice
penetrated to the farthest recesses of
the church