The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-21
FESTIVITIES END AT NEW ORLEANS American Flag Raised Over the
 Palace O'ArnGS CHURCH SCENE INSPIRING In the Old St. Louis Cathedral, Built During Span. Possession, Arch
 bishop chapelle Celebrates
 Pontifieal Mass.
CHURCH SCENE INSPIRING

New Orleans. December 2O.--Under the sunniest of skies today the stars and stripes rose gracefully to the top of the tall staff in the historic Palace D'Armes, amid the ringing of cathedral bells the roar of cannon, and the shouts of the populace and the centennial celebration of the Louisiana transfer ended in a burst of patriotism.
 The days exercises were impressive and inspiring. They opened with the ponti- fical mass in the old St. Louis cathedral. built while the spaniards were still in possession of Louisiana. and the shrine to which Andrew Jackson went immedl- atey after the battle of New Orleans, to hear the high mass of thanksgiving sung for the victory of the American arms.
 The scene in the cathedral today was a striking one. Festooned in the great nave were the flags of the three celebrating na- tions, the red and yellow of Spain, the tri-color of France, and the red. white and blue of the American republic.
 The immense auditorium and the spa cious galleries were crowded with a rep resentative congregation. The gold lace of the army and navy uniforms and the bright eolors of the richly dressed women produced an effective picture.
 Archbiship Celebrates Mass.
 Before the altar, Archbishop Chapelle In the brilliant robes of his exalted sta ton, oficated in the celebration of the mass with the assistance of clerics of the diocese. The muse was superb. The reg ular choir of the cathedral was supple mented with the principal artists of the French opera troupe. and a full orchestra. The solos were sung by professional tal- ent and the te deum by the clergy in the sanctuary, and thirty male voices in the choir, The Rev. Father De LaMorinere the Jesuit orator, preached an eloQeegt sermon, and Archbishop Chapele spoke briefly from the altar upon the great sig nificance of the occasion. The mass was brought to close with the recessional grand chorus from Gounods "Redemp- tion"
 Following the mass. there was a repi:ca in the Cabido of the scene and eventA of century ago. The old Spanish count cil chamber was filled with a distinguish ed audience including the French am- bassador, the Spanish consul the Cana dian jurists, President Francis and the Worlds Fair directors. the arch bishop of the diocese, the members of the supreme and federal courts. the governor, the mayor the high officials of the state and city, and other personages of note.
 Continental Guards.
 To the rattle of drums the Continental Guards, in the buff and blue regimentals of the revolution, marched into the build- ing escorting former Congressman T. s. Wilkinson and Charles F. Claiborne. who were the American commissioners on the occasion of the transfer. James Zacharie represented Secretary Wadsworth, and Charles T. Soniat, descendant of the Chevalier Soniat Dufossat, who was among the first of foreigners to sit in the Cabildo, impersonated Secretary Laussat Napoleons agent. The treaty of eession the powers of the commissioners and the declaration of Laussat placing the Ameri- ican commissioners in possession. were read in turn. Then the keys of the city on a cushion of red were delivered, and the proclamation of the American govern or was read From the council chamber Governor Heard, representing Governor Claiborne, the first of the American gov- ernors of Louisiana, and Mayor Capede- vielle, representing Etienne De Bore. the first of the American mayors of New Or leans, preceded to the central balcony whence, as did their prececessors a cen- tury ago. they made appropriate ad- dresses to the large assemblage gathered before the building
 American Flag Raised.
 The ceremonies concluded, at a signal the American flag rose to the high staff n Jackson square, while the cathedral bella rang out the glad notes of peace and the Washington artillery on the levee thun- dered a salute
 In the river, within view of all. the six American and French warships, rode gracefully at anchor.
 The Spanish cruiser, Rio de la Plata. . which had been ordered for the celebra- ton, was delayed by adverse weather. and was unfortunately unable to reach the city in time for the celebration. She ar- rived at the Passes early this morning and proceeding up the river at once was given a noisy welcome when she reached the city just as the Cablldo exercises were concluded. and anchored near the other visiting naval vessels. It is expect ed that the Rio de Ia Plata will spend some days here. and that her officers and men will be hospitaby entertained. One of the features of the celebration has been the popular interest in the Spanish representation. Senor Tuero y Odonnell has been the recipient of unusual atten- tion and every effort has been made to show the warmth of the American friend ship for the Spanish people and their government