The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-09-28
Official Welcome Is Extended
By Mayor Mcclellan and
Other Prominent Men
GREAT OPERA HOUSE is
CROWDED WITH PEOPLE
Rain Spois Aeroplane and Balloon
Flights, But the Exercises at Pal
isades Park Are Elaborate
and interesting.

New York September 27.-The ENJOYS Of
seven nations that have sent their ships
of war and the special delegates of other
nations participating in the Hudson Full
ton celebration, were officially received to-
night at a reception in the Metropolitan
Opera house. under the auspices of the
Hudson-Fulton committee. Seated on the
stage was a distinguished gathering in
| cluding dignitaries from the countries
of Europe, the Orient and South Ameli-
ca, officials of city and state and men
prominent in business and professional
life of the country. One of the most
conspicuous figures on the stage. and the
only woman occupying such position.
was Mrs. Julia Ward Howe. the venerable
author of THE Battle Hymn of the Re-
public" Because of her advanced years
Mrs. Howe sat in a wheeled chair At
her left was Admiral Sir Edward Sey-
mour of the British fleet, while nearby
were NJ. Jean CASTOR Darboux the
French representative; Rear Admiral Sea-
ton Schroeder, commanding the Atlantic
battleship fleet; Contre-Admiral Lepord
of the French battleslGp La Justice, and
his exeelleney, Youssor Zia Pasha. the
Turkish minister.
On the right OF Mayor Mcclellan sat
Prince Kuni of Japan. Gov Charles e.
hughes Of this state: Grand Admiral Von
koester of the German fieet. aud Vice
Admiral Di Brechetti of thesitaiian fleet
Behind the naval officers with their gold
lace and decorations and the dignitaries
sat 40 or more of foreign representatives
and members of the Hudson Fulton com
mission, including Gen Stewart L. Wood
ford, former Mayor Seth Low and Others
Brilliant Display.
The boxes of the famous opera house
crowed during the opera season with bril-
liantly gowned women, were no less bril-
liant tonight when filled with the wives
and families of the foreign envoys Ths
upper tier was occupied by the visiting
naval officers, but the house was not
crowded. At liberal estimate not more
than 1900 persons were present.
Gen. Stewart l.. Woodford chairman of
the Hudson-F'ulton commission formally
called the proceedings to order and in
troduced Mayor Mcclellan as the chair
man of the evening. Mayor Mcclellan in
troduced Bishop David H. Greer of the
Episcopal diocese of New York, who de-
livered the invocation. The most con-
spicuous part of the bishops Invocation
was his saying in the hearing OF tho
naval officers of the chief powers of the
world:
Bind the nations of the earth In the
bonds of brotherhood and peace: make
wars to cease and righteousness to reign"
In his address extending a welcome on
behalf of the city, Mayor Mcclellan spoke
briefly.
After song by the New York Banks
Glee club, Mrs. Howex read an original
poem, paying an eloquent tribute to
Henry Hudson and Robert Fulton.
Address of Welcome.
An address of welcome on behalf of
the commission was delivered by General
Woodford. then the roll of the nations
was called. beginning with Argentine and
concluding with Turkey. There were
cheers and handclapping as each delegate
stepped forward and presented either =
message form his sovereign or appropriate
address The assemblage grew especially
enthusiastic when the delegates of Japan,
Holland Germany and England came
forward and the cheering lasted for more
than minute The majority of the dele
gates presented their addresses after hav-
ing read them to Mayor Mcclellan, while
the delegate from Norway read con-
gratulatory message from King Haakon.
Referring to the Vikings, he said that
Norway had in reality discovered Amer
lea before Columbus knew OF its exis-
tence.
Admiral Seymour for the British, refer
red to the discovery of the Hudson and
the application of steam to navigation by
Fulton two of the most important
events in the history of the race Ito
which you and we belong
After the address of the Dutch dele
Holland was played while the Hudson-
Fulton flag was waved from the stage
amid great cheering.
Greetings From Amsterdam.
The mayor of Amsterdam conveyed
greetings from Old Amsterdam to New
Amsterdam. while the orchestra again
played the national air of old Neither
lands
Speaking in French, NJ D&rboux de-
lvered the longest address OF the even
ing, dwelling for the most part on the
achievement of Fulton and the latter's
sojourn In France.
Senior Don Pho Balanos presented greet
ings from his country, Nicaragua, and
Senior Don Esteban Cardo brought mes
sage from President Alfaro of Ecuador.
From the Kaiser, Grand Admiral Won
Koester brought congratulations and res
ferred to the occasion as the first time
that celebration OF single city has
been made an international festival"
Nowhere he said. "can sympathy for
your celebration be greater than in Ger
many"
Rain SpoiIs Plans.
Although rain today forced the largest
part of the Hudson-Fulton crowds to
make the day one of rest within doors
and necessitated the postponement of the
aeroplsne flights and the balloon race in
Albany the more formal part Of the
morning and afternoon programme. In
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