Year: 1876

With clear blue skies and genial sunshine the first
national celebration occurring in this the centennial
year. was heraded in. NAvar were weather and occa-
sion more hty mated The streets. the gayly dressed
citizens and closed counting houses lent, with the
weather, a Sunday aspect TO the day All the great
centres of commercial and financial activity silent
and deserted the depots OF freight still and lone
some and along the river fronts the quiet OF New
sterdam reigned All traffic was at rest aud in honor
OF the day the ships all the world centred
island displayed their coors


From many a tapering spire chimes were rung out
on the vernal air, nlng the city with glad music.
Bunting displayed from all the public buildings
and hundreds OF flags uttered from private STATS The
City Hall was elaborately iestooned with colors;
lifesizs oil painting of the immortal Washing
ton being part OF tho decorations The
picture placed the front portico and
around it in many fancy wreath twincd the
Stars and Stripes These little observanccs together
with parade by the Eleventh regiment of the National
Guard the only outward manifestations in honor
OF the day. Most OF the religious
social. 1t lis broad commentary on the much talked
Of patriotism OF people who acknowledged to be
exceedingly dcmonstrative that only regiment,
and that a phegmatic Teutonic one, turned out in,
honor of the memory OF who fought for and first
guided the most magnificent political scheme in the
history of the world


Even the religious portion OF the celebration not
what might have bcen expected in these times OF
vival and regeneration. At Trinity, Of the few
churches at which services held the Rev. Morgan
Dix spoke words which may well be taken to heart
He diated this very pout OF allowing the ideal or
great Washington to die out from the mind
of a people pre- emnently apt to forget


Notwithstanding the want OF concerted action in
celebrating the event, there many private din
ners shooting matches athletic games and literary
tertainments. which, when collected together make
quite interesting record for the day. The theatres
too gave matnecs which thousands spent the after
noon quito pleasantly, if not probably. While hun
ireds OF pleasure-seekcrs vending their
ways the several houses of amusement the chimes
medley of national airs Among the theatrical
lmusemcnts of the afternoon we're 'Juus Casar'
IBooth's), "Rose Mchel' union squarel ''Pique'
Fifth Avenue), ''Brass' Park, and a variety of odd
burlesques and negro mnstresy. Several regiments
OF the National Guard gave receptions, and the Vet
Grams of 1912, fast passing away, had reunion
and discussed the olden times The United Order OF
American Mechanics made demonstration at the
Cooper Union and the Society Of Cincinnati evinced
easy patriotism while enjoying dinner served in Del
monico's best style. The evening was replete with
amusements prominent among which the Martha
Washington Reception. Notwithstanding the immense
throng that gathered in the three halls devoted to the
comfort OF the guests OF the hospitable Martha
bers sufficient found to fill several other halls in the
city at which balls given The gentlemen of the
historic region OF Fort Washington GRATED and dined
at High Bridge, and the members Of the Lincoln Club
did likewise elsewhere.