The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-05-31

confusion in the matter Of seating the
paraders, the only hitch occurring in con-
nection with the members of the city
council. Seats had been deserved for
them near the stage, but through some
misunderstanding the doors were thrown
open to admit tha general public before
they had gotten into the hall. The con-
sequence was that all the seats, reserved
and unreServed, were taken with a rush,
and the city fathers had to content them
selves with standing room In the hall
outside, the press at the doors being so
great that it was impossible for them
even to gain admittance.
Lavish Decorations.
The decorations in the hall were lavish.
A grea, flag had been draped as sort
Of half canopy directly above the stage.
and bunting and mourning streamers
were everywhere. All the flags carried
in the procession were furled with bands
OF Grape, and together with two large
and handsome banners close by the stage.
which also bore the emblem of the day.
they lent martial air to the scene At
each side Of the stage stood a heavy brass
cannon. piled round with wreaths and
flowers. The whole front part OF the
stage itself bloomed with fragrant bunch
es of flowers of every hue and kind,
roses predominating.
The house was packed from wall TO
wall with what was probably the largest
audience ever assembled there. when the
programme opened shortly after IL o'clock
with an invocation by the Rev. Edward
]. Hamilton, of the University of Wash
ington. He gave thanks for the civil
peace which reigns as a result of 1.-The
councils, the efforts and the blood offer
ing of the nations loyal SONS" for Amer
ica's position today in the sisterhood OF
nations; for preservation against foreign
foes and enemies internal; for TIE pros
pect OF speedy removal from the face
of the western hemisphere of the las
vestige of monarchical despot.sm; tor the
favor already granted our arms in the
struggle agains, the oppressor ot Cuba.
He prayed that II 1t was the Will OF God
another and greater victory might be
given the nation in a final conclusion of
the war.
Wagner's First Regiment band then
played American Patrol and an anthem.
My Own Native Land was sung by
nearly two hundred public school children,
who had been especially drilled TO take
part In the exercises. They sat in a great
pyramid TO the right OF the stage. as
pretty a sight as enc might wish TO see.
All girls from six 10 ten years, all
dressed in white and each holding in
d.mplsd fist a miniature Of the Stars and
Stripes. they sang and waved and were
beautiful with the beauty OF simple child
hood. The sweet treble OF their fresh
young voices fioated out in songs OF a
patriotism they could feel but not under
stand, and the vast assembiage listened
with an appreciation which showed Itself
in silence, followed by bursts OF applause
that nearly raised the roof The Children
were LED by Prof Sharpe Through care
fui training he had them in perfect control
and accord. for which he is deserving OF
not A little praise.
tsrand Army Ritual.
The Grand Army rjtga. service was led
by the Hon. Lyman Knapp. commander Of
John F. Miller Post. who presided over the
occasion.
Commander Knapp said;
Comrades. the duty OF today is the fes
tiyal of our dead. We unite to honor the
memory of our brave and our beloved 70
enrich and ennobie our lives bv recalling
the public heTo3sm and the private worth
that are immortal 10 encourage By our
solemn service a more Jealous and stall
wart patriotism Festival OF she dead
Yes, though many eyes are clouded with
tears. though many hearts are heavy with
regret. though mary lives are still DESC
late because or a father or brother hns-
hand or lover, who did not come back
thosgh every grave which a tender rev
erence or love adorus with flowers IS the
shrine OF a sorrow whose influence Is sri
potent though itS first keen poisnancy aas
been dulied-GespiIe all this today Is A
festival. a festival Of our dead. no less
festival because Il IS full OF solemaity.