El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1899-05-23
Washington Has Seen No
Such Celebration Since
the Civil War.
THE RAIN INTERVIEWED
With the Great Procession,
Which Formed As Plan
ned And Was a Most
Imposing Pageant.

WASHINGTON, D. c., May 23.-The
three hundred thousand Inhabitants OF
the national capital and thousands OF
guests today saw the curtain ascend on
the three days national peace jubilee
and gave their enthusiastic applause to
the gorgeous features of pomp and
pageantry to which their eyes were
treated.
The city has truly assumed a carn1-
val appearance. It is bright with col
or, it's people are as gay, its attractions
as numerous and it's hospitality as great
as that of any city which has ever held
a national festival or celebration. Inc
carnival spirit was ushered in at sun
rise this morning when the guns OF the
gunboats anchored in the Potomac, re-
inforced by those at Fort Myer and
Washington Barracks, fred the ma
tional salute of thirteen guns. The re-
port Of the last gun had not died away
when the breeze caught up the sweet
refrain of the Star Spangled Banner
played on the famous chimes of the
Metropolitan church.
Fromthat hour onthe principal streets
began to fill, the crowds with which
were increased every half hour during
the dayby the hundred from far and
near who came with every arriving
train.
Toward noon the scene was one OF
general activity. Everything was In
motion. Residences and public build
ings glittered in gay decorations, the
visitors carried flags in their hands,
and every thing presented an animated
appearance. At noon the gunboats
and arsenal guns startled the city by
belching forth a jubilee salute OF forty
five guns. By this time Pennsylvania
avenue and other leading thorough
fares were black with people.
1t was.nearly two o'clock before the
great naval and military parade had
completed it's formation and the signal
given to start. The parade was led by
the full national Marine band in uni |
form, and q half hundred other musi- |
cal organization contributed by Wash |
ington and neighboring cities.
The parade was the greatest of its |
kind seen in Washington since the fa-
nous muster out at the close of the |
Civil War. Scores of military organ
izations from all parts of Maryland,
Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York |
and other states were in line, together
with regiments of regulars from a
dozen forts and barracks, cadets from
jackies from the gunbosts
and marines from the navy yards.
The pageant extended over three
miles of city streets. Throughout
that distance people were packed and
damned, the congestion being great
est in the vicinity Of Lafayette Square,
where the reviewing stand occupied
by the president and cabinet officers,
members of the diplomatic corps and
guests. was located.
Shortly before two O'Clock the
weather changed suddenly. Rain fell
in torrents and scattered the crowds in
every direction. The big parade had
just started and is now a dripping
% ass of humanity as it moves through
the streets.
The features arranged for the enter
tainment of the public this evening in
,Iude public reception at the white
house and stupendous spectacular
and aerial display on the grounds south
If the executive mansion and surround
ng the Washington monument. The
ain NAV interfere with the fireworks
display.