The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-09-07
HOLLANDS FAIR QUEEN.
The Young Monarch Enthroned
r. 49,
Amid Great Pomp.
HER SPEECH FROM THE THRONE.
II Am Happy and Grateful to Govern
the Netherlands People, a Nation
Small In Numbers but Great in the
Virtue ofIts Strength of Character"

the Netherlands People, a Natio
Small In Numbers but Great in th
Virtue ofIts Strength of Character.
Amsterdam. Sept. 6.-The events {
Monday were but the overture for ia
more important ceremonies yesterda
upon the occasion of the long awaite
| enthroning of Queen Wilhelmina, VIII
became of age on Aug. 81. The da
began with salute Of 101 guns and
majestic chorale performed by trum
peters from the crenelated towers o
the five great churches of Amsterdam
Crowds of people assembled early IL
the morning and took up positions from
which to view the royal procession t,
the Neukerk, an edifice that. in spit
of Its name, is 400 years old. By Il
o'clock the Damplatz presented a mag
niflcent spectacle. The center wa.
cleared and the sides were densey
thronged, the front places being re-
served for the children of the orphan
ages. The multitudes were kept back
by lines Of troops of all arms.
At 1895 the princely families of SAKE.
Weimar and Wied drove to the church
escorted by cavalry, with bands play
ing. drums beating and the troops pre-
scnting arms.
Almost Immediately afterwards the
queen mother appeared in state
coach, which was surmounted by a
gilt royal crown upon crimson
cushion. She received an ovation and
was greeted with endless cheering and
cries of Long live the queen mother"
About ten minutes latet the beating
of drums and blare of, trumpets sig
nailed the fact that Queen Wilhelmina
had left the palace. :,
The procession was headed by the
kings-at-arms with the heralds in their
gorgeous antique costumes, and bear
ing long trumpets adorned with pen
dart flags. But all the splendor of the
royal retinue was overlooked by the
vast crowds Of people. whose eyes were
turned upon the central figure of this
imposing function-the young queen,
on foot amidst her people, decked with
all the emblems of royalty. On her
head was diadem of diamonds, crown
shaped. Her robe was of white silk,
with long train, under a mantle of
rich. red velvet, on which the lions of
Nassau were displayed in gold EN-
broidery. The mantle was bordered
with ermne. The sword of state was
carried before the young queen by
general. Her majesty carried herself
with grace and fortitude, but her
blanched cheeks We're evidence of the
profound emotion inspired by the great
ness of the occasion.
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
civil and military authori-
ties. naval officers and members of the
corps. The interior of the
church disclosed a magnificent wealth
Of drapery, banners, palms and flow-
ers.
Suddenly the king-at arms from the
portal of the church, heralded the ar
'ival of Queen Wiihelmina, who enter
I'd the building escorted by train of
each bearing an emblaZoned
banner.
The queen bowed from side to side as
'he passed on to the throne, and reach
ng it, she turned and again bowed and
onk her seat. A moment later her
majesty arose, and. in a clear and per-
ectly calm voice, spoke in part as fol-
ows:
"Gentlemen of the states general:
'ince the death of my ever lamented
ather and until l have completed my
9Th year, the government has been in
he hands of my mother. l have now
the government, and I have
ssued a proclamation to my we'll be-
owed people. The hour has now ar
ived when, amid the faithful states :,
eneral and invoking the holy name Of =,
'od, ! shall pledge myself to the peo-
lie of the Netherlands. to maintain .
heir rights and privileges. On this day d
draw more closely the solemn tie ex- :.
sting between myself and my people. +
he very ancient union Of the Nether- :.
inds and of the house of Orange is
onfirmed afresh. Beautiful is my avo-
alton. Beautiful is my task. l am Z
Apply and grateful to be able to gov i
IN the Netherlands people, a nation S
mall in numbers, but great In virtue II
it's strength of character. May God .
less you and my labors for the saliva =,
on of the fatherland."
After the address the queen sat for q II
w moments and then again arose and y
scited, in the same clear tones, the s,
sual oath to uphold the constitution. D
In accordance with tradition, Van
emnes. president of the first chamber +,
lvanced to the throne and said a
I'VE receive and invest you, in the ..
,n,e of the Netherlands people and in :.
rtue of the constitution. as queen. - -
'e swear we Will maintain your in
and the rights of your K
own. We swear to do all that good
Id faithful states general should do.
} help US. Almighty God" q,
The usher then announced the names
the members of the chamber, every n,
ember rising as his name was called l.,
I'd responding so help me, Almighty .>
3D." save the Baptist members, who VI
piled, Il promise it," III
th