Evening star., 1898-09-06
GIRL QUEENS PLEDGE
Wilhelmina Takes 1t as She Mounts
Her Throne.
SOLEMN CEREMONY AT AMSTERDAM
Her Majesty's Address to the
People of the Netherlands.
TIL E ROY ROCES SION


more important ceremonies today. upon the
occasion Of the long-awaited enthroning of
Queen Wilheimina, who came of age on
August 81. The day began with salute OF
l9l guns and a majestic choraie performed
by trumpeters from the creneliated 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 Nieu-
kirk, an ediiice that, in spite of its name,
is four hundred years old. BY 10 O'Clock
the Damplatz presented magnificent spec
tacle. The center was cleared and the sides
were densely ihronged, the front places be
ing reserved for the children of the orphan
ages. The multitudes were kept back by
lines Of troops of all arms
From Palace to Charch.
From the principal gate of the palace to
the church. between lines of naval cadets,
was stretched q gay awning decorated with
streamers. and velvet carpeting was laid
over the short distance which the queen
had to traverse.
AT l0:35 the princely families of Sake
Weinar and Wied drove to the church. es-
corted by cavalry, with bands playing
drums beating and the troops presenting
aims.
Almost Immediately afterward th,, queen
mother appeared in a state coach, which
was sUrmounted by gilt royal crown upon
a crimson cushion. She received an ova-
ticn and was greeted with endless cheering
and cries of Long live the queen mother!"
About ten minutes later the beating of
drums and the blare of trumpets signaled
the fact that Queen WiIhelmna had left
the palace, and at that very moment the
sun burst from the clouds I'm brilliancy
which was looked upon as being a happy
acgury for the young sovereign.
Girl Queen on Foot.
The procession was headed by the Kings
of-arms, with the heralds in their gorgeous
antique costumes. and bearing long trum-
pets adorned with pendent flags. But all
the splendor of the royal retinue was over
locked by the vast crowds of people, whose
eyes were turn I'd upon the central figure OF
this imposing function-the young queen, on
foot amidst the people, decked wlth all
emblems of royalty. At her head was a
diadem of diamonds, crown shaped. Her
iohe was of white silk with a long train
under mantle Of rich red velvet. on which
the lions of Nassau were displayed in gold
embroidery. The mantle was bordered with
ermine.
The sword of state was carried before
the young queen by general
Her majesty carried herself with grace
and fortitude, but her blanched cheeks
were evidence of the profound emotion in
spired by the greatness of the occasion.
The Jewels wcrn by her were part of
those stolen in Brussels on Ser aInber q,
1SS. Some Of them were recovered by the
police of New York, a year later through
Information which a Frenchman named
Roumage gave to the Dutch minister at
Washington.
The Ovation.
1t is impossible to adequately describe
the acclamations which greeted the queen.
Th.a oh.
sustained as her majesty proceeded to the
church. which, in the meanwhile, had been
filled with brilliantly robed ladies and uni
formed civil and military authorities, naval
officers and members of the diplomats
corps.
The interior of the church disclosed a
magnificent wealth of drapery. banners.
palms and flowers. In front of the chancel
was the throne Of gorgeous crimson and
gold velvet, with the crown, orb, scepter
and sword occupying stools.
On the right of the throne were the MEM
bers Of the royal families ana on the left
were the Indian princes from the Dutch
possessions.
As the procession of the queen mother
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
the Dutch orders The maids of honor and
the ladies in waiting were dressed In beau
tiful costumes, blazing with diamonds.
They followed the queen mother who took
up a position on the left of the throne, but
who remained standing until the arrival of
her daughter, the sovereign
Suddenly the king-of-arms, from the por-
tai of the church, heralded the arrival OF
Queen Wilhelmna, who entered the build
ing escorted by train OF generals, each
bearing emblazoned banner
The choir, which included the greatest
artists of Holland. sang "Wilhelmus Van
Nassauwe."
The Queens Address.
The queen looking very well in her robes
of state. bowed from side to side
she passed on to the throne, and, reaching
it, she turned and again bowed 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-lamAnted
father and until I had completed my
eighteenth year, the government has been
in the hands of my mother. I have now
assumed the government, and I have issued
a proclamation to my well-beloved people.
The hour has now arrived when, amid the
faithful states general, AMI invoking TIE
holy name of God. | shall pledge myself to
the people of the Netherlands TO rsaintain
their rights and privileges. On this date
/ draw more closely the solemn tie existing
between myself and my people. The very
ancient union of The Netherlands and Of
the house of Orange is confirmed afresh
Beautiful is my vocation. Beautiful is my
task. 1 am happy and grateful 10 be able
to govern the Netherlands peoples nation
small in numbers, but great In virtue of its
strength of character. j esteem il priv
iiege and pleasing duty to devote ali my
strength to the prosperity and welfare Of
our fatherlaEd The house of Orange can
never. yea. rever do enough for the Meth
erlands. / need your support and coop
GRAFTON. and am convinced you will lena
ne these. in order that We may be able to
work together for the honor and prosperity
of our Netherlands people. May this be
the aim of our life. and may God bless you
and my labors for the salvation Of the
fatherlRnd."
This first public utterance of the queen
to her people was listened to with profound
emotion. Her eiiunoiation was so perfect
that her clear voice penetrated 20 The
farthest recesses of the church.
After the address the queen sat for few
moments and then again arose and recited,
in the same clear tones. the usual oath TO
uphold the constitution, defend the inde-
pendence of the country, protect the liberty
of her subjects, using therefore all LEGAL