The Portland daily press., 1898-09-07
KetherIand Populace Could Never
Tire Of Cry.
CLOSING CEREMONIES OF COR0-
NATION OF YOUNG QUEEN.

Amsterdam September 6.-The eVents
ri Yesterday were but the overture Tor lar
more important ceremonies To-Day upon
the occasion of the long-awalted enthIohe
ment of Queen Wilhelmina who came OF
age on August 3lst.
The day began with salute OF l0l
guns and majestics chorals performed
by trumpeters from the oreneliated tow
ers of the five great churches OF Amster-
dam.
Crowds of people assembled early In the
morning and took up position from whlch
TO view the royal procession to the Nleu'
kirk or New Church SO called although
ir is 400 years old and by 10 O'Clock the
Rsmplatz presented G mag gnificent spec
tacle.
AT 10. S5 the princely families of SAKE
Weimar and Wied drove to the church
escorted by cavalry with bonds playing
drums beating and the troops presenting
arms.
Almost Immediately afterwards the
Queen mother appeared in state coach
which was surmounted by gilt royal
crown l1pon a crimson cushion. She re-
ceiyed an ovation and was greeted with
endless cheering and cries of "Long live
the Queen mother. p"
About ten minutes later the beating OF
drums and the blare of trumpets signalled
the factlthat Queen Wllheimlna hao iele
the palace and at that very moment the
sun burst from the clouds in brili1ancy
which was looked uponkas being happy
augury for the young sovereign.
The procession WAS headed by the k1ng
of arms with the heralds in their gorgeous
antique costumes vita Sna nendans Iags lung
The central figure of this imposing
function-the Queen-was ON foot amidst
her people decked with all the emDlens
of royalty. On her head was a diadem OF
diamonds crown shaped. Her robe was
of white silk with long train under
mantle of red velvet of which the hons OF
Nassau were displayed in gold emit brold-
ery, The mantle was bordered with
srmine.
ghe sword of state was carried before
the young Queen by general
The jewels worn by the young Queen
were part of those stolen In Brussels on
September 9, 1929. Some of them were
recovered by the police OF. New York a
year later.
1t is impossible to adequately describe
the acclamation which greeted the Queen.
The roars of loyal cheers grew louder ana
more sustained as Her Majesty proceeded
to the church which in the meanwhile
had teen filed with brilliantly robed
ladies and uniformed civil and military
authorities, naval officers and members
of the diplomatic corps.
The interior of the church disclosed a
magnificent wealth of drapery and ban
ners, palms and flowers. In front of the
chancel was the throne of gorgeous Grim
son and gold velvet with the crown orb
sceptre and sword occupying stools.
On the right of the throne were MEM
bers of the royal families and on the left
were the In liam princes of Dutch pos
sessions.
AS the procession of the Queen mother
entered the church the assembly arose
and remained standing. The Queen moth
or wore low-necked dress of light lnauve
color trimmed with lace and covered
with pearls. Ladies-in- waiting followed
the Queen mother who took up position
on the left OF throne but remained stand
ing until the arrival of her daughter the
Queen.
Suddenly the king-of-arms for the por-
tai of the church heralded the arrival OF
the Queen Wilhelmina who entered the
building, escorted by train of generals.
The choir, which included the greatest
artists of Holland, sang "Wilhelmus Van
Nassauwe.
The Queen bowed from side to side as
she passed on to the throne A moment
later Her Majesty spoke as follows:
Gentlemen of the states general-Slnce
the death Of my ever lamented father and
until l have completed my 18th year, the
government has been in the hands of my
mother. l have now assumed the gov
ernment and / have issued proclama'
tion to my well-beloved people. The
hour has now arrived when, amid the
faithful states general, and invoking the
holy Name of God, I shall pledge my
self to the people of the Netherlands, to
maintain their rights and privileges.
On this day draw more closely the sol.
emn tie uniting myself and my peo.
pie. The very ancient union of the Meth
erlands and of the House of Orange is
confirmed afresh. Beautiful is my voca-
ton. Beautiful is my task. am happy
and grateful to be able to govern the
Netherlands people, nation small in
number, but great in virtue of its strength
of character esteem 1t a privilege and a
pleasing duty to devote all my strength
to the prosperity and welfare of our father
land. The House of Orange can never,
yea, never, do enough for the Neither
lands. l need your support and co-opera-
ton and am convinced you will lend
me these in order that we may be able to
work together for the honor and prosperi-
ty OF the Netherlands people. May this be
the aim OF our life and may God bless
you and my labors for the salvation of
the Netherlands.
After few moments of silence, great
shout of "Long live the Queen broke
out and three times repeated.
After the Queens speech, in accordance
with tradition, Van Eamnes, the presi-
dent of the first chamber, advanced to the
throne and said:
sWe receive and invest you in the name
of the Netherlands people and in virtue
of the constitution, as Queen. We swear
we will maintain your inviolability and
the rights of your crown. We swear all
that good and faithful states general
should do. So help us God"
Later in the day the Queen drove
around the city and viewed the decora-
tions. The carriage was drawn by six
horses and was attended by guard of
honor.