The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-11-04
PREVIOUS JUBILEES
IN GOTHAM TOWN
SEVENTEEN BIG TIMES SINCE
REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
A Review of the More Notable---Big
Jollifcation over the Adoption of
the Federal Constitution - Past
Naval and Land Parades-But the
Dewey Blow Out Deat Them All.

the crowning event in a long series of
celebrations in this city. Since the
Revolutionary war there have been
seventeen great popular celebrations
and other similar occasions of a me-
mortal or political nature. The first
came shortly after the war for inde-
pendence, and took the form of a pa
rade and dinner in favor of the Fed
eral Constitution adopted in 1887. There
was n fierce opposition to its ratifca-
tion In New York, and IN order to in
fuence the action of the state conven-
tion. one of the most interesting and
important parades that ever took place
in this city was arranged by the friends
of the Constitution. This was held July
%, 11SS and it had the desired effect,
for three davs later the state ratified
the Constitution. The parade started
from City Hall park, and so small was
the city in those days that instead of
moving up town, 1t moved down town,
to what was then called Great Dock
street, and then around, through Han
over square, Chatham street, etc, to
the Bayard house, near Grand street.
The line of parade thus formed somc-
thing like the letter l.. There were ten
divisions in the procession, represent
ing the ten states that had then rati-
fled the Constitution. First came u
body of light horse in full regimentals.
1t would take too long to describe tn !
entire parade but i'm the line of march
were a body of farmers carrying the
implements of their occupation, includ-
ing newly invented threshing ma
chine, a section comprising the Society
OF the Cincinnati In full uniform, and
another containing the various trades,
the bakers escorting a huge loaf Of
bread representing the Federal loaf,
and carried on a platform drawn by
ten horses. In the seventh division
was representation of the Federal
ship Constitution" This was twenty
seven feet keel, ten feet beam, and was
a complete frigate of those days. She
carried thirteen guns and a crew COM
manded by Commodore Nicholson. This
was drawn by ten horses. The Marine
society, still in existence, being one of
the oldest organizations in New York,
also took part in this parade, which is
said to have extended a mile and a
half, and to have comprised 5000 per-
sons. The Dewey parade was nearly
seven times as long, and fully seven
times as large. But in one Of it's fea-
lures the celebration of 1888 has never
been equalled since. This was the ban
quet which followed the parade. Six
thousand persons sat down to this
colossal feast. which was served in
three large paviions connected by a
colonnade $50 feet long, and all elabor-
ately decorated. There were thirteen
toasts, and after each toast ten cam
non were fired. In the very next year
there was another great demonstration.
This took place on the 30th Of April.
1889, and the occasion was the first in
auguratlon of Washington 1t was an
imposing and solemn spectacle, ana
New York held more people that day
than it ever held before. The inaug-
ural parade started from Cherry street,
in front of Washington's residence, and
moved down Pearl to Broad, and un
Broad to Federal hall, where the sub
treasury now stands. There Washing
ton took the oath of Office.
WAR OF 1912.
The next celebration was that of the
war of 1S12-14. That war, like that
celebrated today, was chiefly fought
on the water Its great victories were
naval victories and the victorious ad-
mirals were received with popular en-
thusiasm when they returned home
When the frigate United States, un-
der the command of Commodore De-
catur, came into port with the British
frigate Macedonian, which she had cap
tured, there was a tremendous recep-
tion accorded the vessel and her COM
mander. AS the frigate, entering the
harbor through Hell Gate from the
Sound, proceeded down the East river
tens of thousands of people crowded
the wharves and the shipping and
greeted Decatur with cheers and boom
ing of cannon. There were only 100 =
900 inhabitants in New York then, but
it is probable that there was as much
enthusiasm and noise ito the squar,
inch that day as there was today
when Dewey and the Olympia steAre !
up the North river All the victor ous
naval officers were honored in some
special way. The city presented
swords to Commodore Hull AMI his
officers. The commOdore's picture was
painted and hung in the governor
room in the city hall, where the Dewey
committee has had it's offices. A grea
banquet in honor of Commodores Hui
Jones and Decatur was held in the
City Hotel. near Trinity church. Mayor
De Witt Clinton presided and 500 sat
down to the feast.
ERIE CANAL.
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