Democratic Sentinel, Volume 3, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 September 1879 — Gen. Brant’s Arrival in San Francisco. [ARTICLE]

Gen. Brant’s Arrival in San Francisco.

Ex-President Graut arrived at Man Francisco on Saturday, the 20th day of Soptember, thus completing his tour around the'world, after an absence of two years and four months. We glean from the Associated Press report the following account of his arrival and reception at San Francisco: Darkness had fallem aud it was 20 minutes past 7 when the lights of the ferry-boat were seen approaching the Blip. She moved slowly into position. The platform was lowered, the band struck up “ Home Again,”and, amid the roars of applause from the waiting crowd outside, who realized that the moment had arrived, Gen. Grant stepped once more upon the shore of Lis native land. After a welcoming speech by Mayor Bryant and a brief response by Gen. Grant, the latter was conducted to his carriage, Ms yor Bryant accompanying him, while the various committee and other gentlemen in attendance repaired to their own carriages. The gates of the dock were then thrown open, and the vehicles moved forward and took their places in line. As the carriage containing Gen. Grant made its appearanco cteer after cheer went up frem thousands of throats, while the surging crowd pressed forward and swayed from side to side in efforts to obtain a passing glance of tho familiar lineaments of the groat captain. With tho greatest difficulty a passage was opened, the procession formed, and the line of march taken up. The procession moved rapidly along Market street to Montgomery, passing through Montgomery, up Montgomery avenue to Kearnoy, along Kearney to Market, along Market, countermarching to the Palace Hotel, which was reached at a late hour. Rockets and blue lights were fired along the route, and bonfires and torches abounded. Ail the streets leading to the Palace Hotel were packed with dense throngs, through which the procession forced its way with great difficulty. Thousands were clamoring for admittance, but cordons of police at all the entrances denied ingress to all but those holding special permits to enter. Within, the immense court presented a scene of surpassing beauty. Electric lights and 500 gas jets lit up the vast interior with a brilliant glow, and the dense throng that packed the court and filled the Bpacious balcopies and corridors surged to and fro in anxious expectation of ilie coming guest, whom the packed streets had detained. At 10 o’clock the wide doors were thrown open, aud the barouche containing Gen. Grant was driven within the building. He immediately dismounted, and, crowded his way through the packed mass of human beings, was hurried to his room. As he alighted, Madame Fabbri, and a’chorus of 500 voices opened from one of the balconies with the “Ode of Welcome.” The crowd rushed after Gen. Grant when he dismounted, leaving the singers for a moment almost without an audience, but, being stopped by thß force of police who blocked the way, they returned to the qourt, being reassured by the announcement that the General would appear on oDe of the balconies after he had had time to lay off his overcoat. In a few minutes Gen. Grant appeared, amid deafening and long-continued shouts. Mayor Bryant called the crowd to order, and the General, mounting a chair which was passed over the, heads of the surrounding crowd, was again greeted with a succession of cheers. When the noise subsided he addressed them as follows: “ Fellow. Citizens of San Fbancisco : After twenty-five years’ absence, I am glad to meet you, and assure you of my cordial thanks for the kind greeting you have given me. I shall stay in your city long enough to greet you more fully. ” The General then withdrew, amid prolonged and tremendous cheering, and the crowd at length reluctantly scattered. Grant looks exceedingly well, but has lost twenty-eight pounds in~weighf Since leaving Philadelphia. He expressed his great gratification at the reception awarded him, saying it surpassed all his expectations. He spoke of his pleasure at- returning home, and bis satisfaction that his acceptance of the Nicaragua canal Presidency had been received favorably here.