The Washington herald., 1909-04-04

St Augustine, Fla, April 2-One OF
the unique celebrations IN this country
and one Of the least known 70 the public
a. large is The annual carnival held In ths
quaint city Of St. Augustine IN memory
Of the landing OF Ponce de Leon
The first week OF April the city Is en-
fete for three days. and II is a miniature
fairylsnd, for nowhere else could the nat
ural settings make the ground for this
really Old World pageant TIE narrow
streets. overhalging houses Of true Span
ish architecture, the blue waters OF the
bay, ole Fort Marion-au are here 10
make the historical features correct
The Business Mems League Is responsi-
bic for this celebration The citizens are
organized into various societies, each With
an officer BY popular vote, In which the
competition IS most strenuous, Ponce de
Leon" Is chosen He In turn selects MS
retinue- MenendeZ de Avflles is next in
rank, then the marshal of the day
There are the French. % Spanish. % Eng
lish." and American soldiers. and a band
OF Indians" the state troops are Invited,
and every one within miles around plans
10 come TO ST Augustine for ~celebra-
tion" week
Stores are closed and business is sus-
pended always during the hours Of the
daily parade and ceremonies.
Jog for Ones Memory.
To a stranger the scene IS one Of inter-
81
hazy history. We al remember that
Ponce de Leon came to the land OF fow-
ers'' and was supposed 10 have found the
fountain OF eternal youth" But 70 have
history acted right cut before ones eyes
Is the best way 10 TX names, dates. and
places in the mind
The child who has watched from the ho-
tel window the building OF the carsveI
that was 10 convey Ponce" down the bay
70 the landing at the sea wall and then
witnessed the three days portrayal OF
history VIII never forget the founding OF
the oldest city in the United States
Time has made but few inroads and few
changes N this little dream city OF St. Au-
gustine, although n the last year electric
cars have been introduced. They surely
-~~-NN-- MN = AaAA41 hAaEAA GAAhAaE4 10 UEA-
nit the passing OF Ponce" and his train
OF arnored knights
Il IS fitting TO hold this celebration upon.
the exact spot where one o. the most
eventful incidents IN the New Worlds ca
reer took place. The first day brings the
landing OF the knight Of Leon" with the
Spanish gr2ndees and soldiers The cara
vel makes a beautiful sight as 4 comes IN
with al sails flying. the armOr gIitterinE
IN the sun. the cross held high By the
priests, and Ponce" in his magnihcencs
steps ashore under the arches OF ever
green The TOyagers Gisembark and are
greeted by the Indians. who are so real
istic as 20 strike terror TO the hearts OF
young children. who shIver Nh fear az
the cleaning U0mahawks and hi6eOus war
paint The Spaniards Eneel in prayer and
offer thanks for The ending OF the long
voyage
Tour OF City Made.
Ponce de Leon mounts his horse. gayly
caparisoned. heads the procession. in
which al the organizations join. and the
tour OF the city is made through the old
city gates 10 the fort, where the ceremony
Of blessing the country is fmpressiveIy
performed by the Catholic priests OF ths
city
How the small boys Of St Augustine
look forward 70 this week For every. one
OF them has then leave and license 20 Be
an Indian" 20 his hearts content All
the burros that are FOR hire around The
plaza are pressed into service. and how
they do hate it, But for once in their
lives they have 70 get up and 90.
The morning Of the second day brings
Menendez, who founded the city fl 1565-
He arrives in the neighborhOod OF Fort
Marion with a grand suite and marches
down Bay street About the plaza the
/ play IS enacted Of bringing in the n
dian prisoners.
The pipe OF peace Is finally smoked and
the second parade IS made through ths
city streets 10 the fort. where a tribute iS
paid 10 The place where The FIRST mass
was celebrated on this continent A croSz
IS placed on The spot and the pageant cir
cles around, each salutiug as he passes
The third day brings the change q
flags. which takes place AZ the fort and
IS really the most impressive sight OF all
The most momentous change IN the life q
the ancient city came when the 1aE OF
Spain was changed forever TO the stars
and Stripes.
Three EpOchs Depicted.
Three great epochs IN history had been
depicted when the United States flag was
left flying 10 the breeze and the cavaicada
wheeled and broke ranks
The flag ceremony consisted OF frst rsis-
ing the flag Of Spain. while the band
played the national anthem Then from
another pole the tricolor CT France was
flung 10 the breeze 10 the playing of tbs
'-Marseillaise"
Two English soldiers next stepped ous
and hoisted the Union Jack from a third
staf. while Rule Britannia was played
aRd the English troops sang the words.
The most spectacular ceremony was the
last, when the commander Of the Spanish
forces drew his sword and surrendered 10
the American commander and the flag OF
our country took its place amid a perfect
salvO OF applause. all the bands playing
The star Spangled Banner
With the winding up OF the carnival the
season closes az St Augustine and a IT.
tins ending TO the winters gayety Il Is.
Every one departs IN good spirits. and the
natives ssttle down 70 try 70 do the
celebration bit better next year