The Monticellonian., 1898-08-26


 Witnessed It.
 NEW YoaK, Aug 21.-New York and the nation have fftly signalized the ap- preetatioD of the republic of her vic tt'rfous fleet. An imposing naval pageant of warships has been received in the harbor of the largest city of the country with aeelamations of delight =and admiration, and the ovation from shore and from the great 6otillas of all sorts Of craft on the water has significantly given to the returning heroes some idea of the esteem and ad- miration in which they are regarded by the people.
 The People Were Early Astir.
 Long before the sunrise guns were fired'at Castle William, Governors Is- land, the people were astir. Crowds were hurrying to the river to be early on the scene. The New York and New Jersey shores were crowded with people. The river and bay were literally alive with craft and the craft alive with people, all cheering and good-natured An i'm ptesslve scene was when the flags were holsted on the forts and fagships As the starry banners were raised aloft the bands of the forts and on the flag ships played the Star Spanglea Ban her, and the shores rang with pa tfiotic cheers.
 Things Went Smoothly.
 There was very little friction in car rying out the programme and no more delay than was to be expected The citizens committee left the foot of Gortlandt street on the steamer Glen Island and proceeded down the bay fol- lowed by a long retiuue of all sorts and description of craft. At Tompkins- vile the mayor and committee of ten debarked and boarded the police boat Patrol. The Patrol then headed for the flagship, with coIors flying and bands playing
 The Shores Lined with People
 Staten Island shores were literally lined with people, and they joined in the general acelamation with the peo- pie on the myriads of bouts The wei coming ceremonies were short but i'm pressiye.
 The ceremonies over, amid the hoarse olii t1AAAlE u SIGdlu N llIS LItS dId IIlt hosannas of the throngs on shore and water, the mayor and the committee returned to the Gen Island.
 The Event Of the Day.
 Then came the event of the day. There was considerable wig wagging on the gray battleships, and the po- lice boats formed in line. Then came the Glen Island, and then the battle ships began to slowly move up the bay. There was a salvo of cannons and cheers of people, and the toots of thou sands of whistles made an indescriba- ble din.
 The Pageant in Line.
 Soon the monster pageant was in line. First came Admiral Schley's flagship Brooklyn then the Massa- chusetts, Oregon, Iowa, Indiana and Texas, and after them moving mass of all sizes and descrip- tions, with flags waving and pco- pie cheering. The great battle ships moved slowly and majestically. As Governors island was passed there was tremendous report from the guns that did so much execution at Santiago and Guantanamo. The people on shore and ahoat went wild with patriotic exuberance
 \ Scene Never to be Forgotten.
 And so it was all the way up to Gen. Grants tomb, where there was final demonstration of patriotic fervor such as New York has never witnessed be- fore. The pageant was viewed and cheered by hundreds of thousands of people It was a magnificent and in deseribable scene, and one never to be forgotten.
 The Brooklyn Displayed Her Battle En-
 signs.
 The Brooklyn, ill passing, did not display the flag of Rear Admiral Schley Her center funnel was seen to have a shot through the starboard side The Brooklyn was flying her battle en- signs, which looked stained and frayed, as if they had seen plenty of service
 Novel Incident.
 While the fleet was passing Tn the Narrows, two explosions on the sur face of the water, near Fort Wads- worth, presumably of loose gun-cotton or other explosive, shot up immense columns of water about hundred feet high, which added to the novelty of the occasion.
 Departure of Capt Moreu of the Cristobal
 Colon.