The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-11-23
"A TALE OF TWO CITIES.


San Francisco Cali
London recently celebrated by pop
ular outburst Of delight the return OF
the city imperial volunteers from tn
war in South Africa, and New York a
few days later had similar demon
strstion over the great victory for Nc
Hinley and prosperity. In both cities
the streets were thronged with tumult-
uous crowds. and it was noted that a
considerable number Of women shared
in the uproar and took the iOstIing with
frohc welcome There was. however.
wide difference between the tone OF
the two celebrations and a wider differ
ence in the manner in which the wo-
men Of the two cities acted and were
treated The contrast is so striking as
to be worthy Of note as an Illustration
Of the national characteristics Of Amer
leans and Britons as displayed in great
crowds.
That the contrast may be fairly pre-
sented We give accounts as published
in papers Of the two cities. and written
by reporters who were eye witnesses OF
the facts. The New York Sun in de-
scribing the celebration of the McKin-
ley victory in that city says:
This brings US to a notable feature
Of the eelebation-the vast number Of
women who took part in it. yying with
the men. the college boys and the street
urchins in blowing horns and Mega
phones. swinging rattles and waving
flags and campaign devices. With few
exceptions. too, they were obviously re-
spectable women. mostly young. but IN
cluding also many Of matronly appear
ance and not few crowned with the
dignity Of gray hairs II was great
spree and these women. making up
probably a quarter or third Of the
crowds. were as demonstrative in their
enjoyment Of it as were the men them
selves. A contagious spirit II com
radeship prevailed among them and the
conventional feminine reserye was cast
aside for liberty Of intercourse which
Was not abused. They were Ike boys
cut for frolic. 80 What was the con-
sequence: Was not the prevalent good
temper and considerate behavior. Of the
crowds directly due to the presence Of
go great a number Of women, many un-
accompanied a by men and many others
with such escort? At any rate. in all
that boisterous crowd and that Wild
frolic there WAS 10 clash Of rude and
coarse behavior. Political enmities were
forgotten in the prevalent spirit Of fun.
Nor were the high spirits manifested
the product Of artificial stimulants, tx
cept in a small measure, yet never and
nowhere has there been more complete
abandonment to merrymaking than
there was by the men and women who
thronged Broadway from Twenty-third
to Forty-second street on election night.
Evidently women have come out Of the
seclusion Of homes to share in the tu-
inultuous frolic Of men; and if the con-
sequence is always to be as it was on
election night. it will be good-certain-
ly for the men,"
The Westminster Gazette in describ-
ing the welcome of the city volunteers
in London says:
The excitement in the streets par
ticnlarly from Fleet street to Piccadilly,
last night. surpasses anything yet ex-
perienced. Even Mafeking night.
though perhaps more boisterous. was
rot equal to this volumne Of surging
humanity. Unfortunately there was
only too much of that unseemly horse
play which threatens to become an un-
governalle factor on such occasions.
The hope is expressed that London has
grown weary Of this kind Of festlvlty.