Rensselaer Republican, Volume 15, Number 8, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 November 1882 — PENN, THE QUAKER. [ARTICLE]

PENN, THE QUAKER.

The Bi-Centennial of His Landing Celebrated at Philadelphia. The Exercises Witnessed by Over 500,000 People. The bi-centennial of the landing of William Penn in Pennsylvania was celebrated by the people of Philadelphia in an imposing manner, the festivities running through nearly an entire week, and being witnessed by hundreds of thousands of strangers from abroad. The ceremonies opened at Chester, a suburb of the Quaker City, on Sunday. Oct. 22, when the Society of Quakers assembled in large nnmbers. A letter from John G. Whittier was read, inclosing a poem which he wrote sixty years ago. Addresses were delivered by A feed H. Lane, President of tbe Pennsylvania Peace Society, and John M. Broomall, of Medina, Ohio. On Monday, at 2:30 there was a representation, at Chester, of the landing of Wiliiam Penn and his party, which was witnessed by 2X), 000 people. The landing was made at the exact spot where, 200 years before, the great Quaker first put his foot upon American soil. Thousands of human throats, numerous church bellß, and an aggregation of steam whistles, greeted his advent, and the enthusiasm was unbounded. Later a monster meeting was held, at which 2,( 00 children sang “My Country, ’Tis of Thee,” and speeches were delivered by Gov. Hoyt and John M. Broomall, who sketched Penh’s career in a masterly hand. A great parade in the afternoon and a brilliant display of fireworks in the evening brought the day’s celebration to a close On Tuesday, the 24th, the festivities opened in Philadelphia, and lasted until Friday evening. First came the landing ot Penn, which was witnessed by a vast thr- ng estimated at over 500,0U0 people A dispatch from that city says: “As early as midnight last night people began to take available space in the neighborhood, and hundreds remained out all night so as to be on hand. This morning when the sun broke through the rain-threatening clouds the streets were blocked for several squares. So dense was the throng that men and women were trampled on and nearly crushed to death, and a dozen or more people were pushed off the dock, in the Delaware and got a thorough ducking. All of them were rescued, however. While the dense mass awaited tbe landing the river presented a beautiful appearance. Every ship for miles along the river front was decked out in holiday attire. Tugs and steamers darted about, loaded down to the water’s edge. They met the Welcome several miles below the city, and the procession of tugs and steamers up to the wharf made a striking and pretty picture. As the procession came In sight the United States men-of-war belched forth a welcome, aDd scores of whistles added to the clamor. The Welcome drew up to the wharf, and Penn and lits party of Dutch and Quakers, in ancient costumes, stepped ashore. They shook hands with more Dutch and Quakers and then tbe little procession fought its way through the crowd to the historical Blue Anchor Inn, and was subsequently escorted to Broad street and given a place in the great procession which started at 11:30 and held trie streets for nearly five hours. The procession moved from Broad to Chestnut, to Third, up Third to Market, out Market to Broad and out Broad to Columbia avenue, where it wa» dismissed. Never was such a scene witnessed. For five hours horse cars were blocked, and all streets except those along the-line of march were deserted The column moved along Chestnut between two high walls of bunting and gay flags, while windows and roof-tops and stagings were filled Thousands of people poured into the city from ali over the State, and all along the route they were packed 1-ke sardines in a box. It is estimated t at 500,000 people from outside the city limits witnessed the parade, in which 25,000 men took part Today was the civic parade, and, with the exception of the marines, no troops took part The police and firemen and letter-carriers were followed by officials in carriages, 3,5 0 members of tbe Improved Order of Red Men, hosts of firemen from other c ties, with their machines, 1,200 butchere, mounted and in wagons, and the Total Abstinence and other societiea The head of the process on was dismissed long before the tail end had begun to move, it was a sight worth witnessing.” In the evening there were fireworks and pyiotechnic displays of a brilliant character. On Wednesday, the 25th, there was a display of the trades of Philadelphia and surrounding cities—all the largest machine shops, tac f ories, etc., accompanied by wagonson which was exemplified the workings of the various trades. Thursday, the 2(l:.ti, witues ed a musical representat-on of the Welsh singers in West Philadelphia The German lingers and fraternities of various nation lities appeared with appropriate emblem*. The Knights Templar turned out 10,000 strong. In tbe afternoon the school children t o the number of 3,000 to 4,' 00 appeared. Friday, the 27th, was marked by a grand army and navy parade with the National Guard of Pennsylvan aaudNevvJerBdy, and visiting troops irom the neighboring States to the number X DkOdo men.