The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1902-05-22
PRESIDENT PALMA.

event. The many arches erected at
the entrances of plazas by political
societies, fraternal clubs, residents of
various civil divisions of the city and
| business organizations had an air of
real grandeur. The scaffolding was
| covered with canvas painted in imita-
ton of marble and from distance the
illusion was complete. Bunting spread
on venetian masts canopied the deep,
narrow streets from the rays of the
sun. Beneath these canopies the Gu
ban colors and palms graced the open
doorways, through which glimpses
could be caught of luxuriant gardens,
in cool, inner courts. Many of the
balconies jutting from the white
walled buildings were adorned with
roses. Nature seemed in harmony with
the spirit of the festivities. The parks
were literally a1ame with tropical
flowers and the vaulted sky above
might have been chiselled out of tur-
quoise. Above every red-tiled roof
rose a Cuban flag. The whole city
seemed suddenly buried beneath a for
est of waving banners.
Shipping Dressed in Gala Attire.
The decorations along the water
front were exceedingly lavish and all
the shipping in the harbor was
dressed in gala attire. The majority
of the ships flew the American ensign
at the main and the Cuban colors at
the fore or mizzen. The United States
armored cruiser Brooklyn, which was
to take General Wood away, and the
steamer MORO Castle of the Ward
line, on which the troops were to en-
bark, as well as the foreign warships
which had been sent by their govern
ments to be present at the birth of the
new republic, were dressed with
streams of signal flags, fore and aft,
man-of-war fashion. The American
colors, which were to be hauled down
| in a few hours, still fieated above the
grim walls of the fortresses which
guard the entrance of the harbor.
The early morning was cool and de-
lightful and the entire population, re-
inforced by thousands of visitors, was
abroad soon after daylight. All was
animation and expectancy The
streets were thronged and the air was
filled with ceaseless din. The bab-
BILE of voices was drowned by the sharp
cries of drivers and the clang of warn
| ing bells.
Much curiosity was aroused by a
statue of freedom, which had been
raised during the night in Central
park, upon the pedestal where for CEN
turtles statue of Queen Isabella had
stood. During the morning bountiful
breakfast was given to several thou
sand poor children by Mr.. Paine of
Boston, who has passed the winter in
Havana for many years.
Inspiring Sight for the cubans.
Owing to the limited space the peo-
pie were to have no sight of the cere-
mony in the government chamber,
which was to constitute them nation
before the world, but outside they
were to witness a spectacle which
would stir their pulses, for they were
to see the beloved five-barred and sim
gle-starred flag which Cespedes first
threw to the breeze in 1858 at the
opening of the Ten Years war, raised
/ by the act of the United States above
the palace. This thing which was to
happen had been the dream of their
lives and of their ancestors for gen
eratiDns. Their parents, brothers and
friends had gone to their deaths to ac-
complish it. No strange wonder then
that hours before the time set they be-