Rensselaer Republican, Volume 18, Number 47, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 July 1886 — AN HILARIOUS CITY. [ARTICLE]

AN HILARIOUS CITY.

Albany Celebrating the Two Hundredth Ajjaiuersary of Its Incorporation, A Grand Procession, and Speeches by President Cleveland and Secretary Bayard. * Albanians gave themselves np body and soul yesterday to the task of celebrating the incorporation of their city by Gov. Thomas Dougan just 2(H) years ago, says nn Albany (N, Y.) dispatch of July 23. Tho uproar that broke loose at midnight when the bells announced,the arrival of the anniversary continued until daylight. Men, Boys, and even women went np and down the principal streets blowing horns nfid singing until morning came. .\fcn .nd boys organized themselves into marching bands and went from one part of the citvto another, blowing two or, three horns together and stopping before hotels and private residences and giving impromptu serenades. Small cannon kept up their salutes nnd bonfires lighted np the principal streets, and (he red-fire’s glow was reflected from the skies above until it paled in the gray of approaching mom. All the noise and enthusiasm that Albany may have pent up within herself for the last two centuries seemed to have suddenly found vent. Thousands of persons remained np through the night, and the uproar was continued until dawn. President Cleveland, Secretaries Bavard and Whitney, and Private Secretary Lamont arrived on a special train soon after C a. m., and were met nt the West Shore Depot by Mayor Timelier, ex-Mayor Banks, and other notables; the Burgess Corp 6, headed by the Plattsburg Band, and about six hundred other citizens. The Presidential party entered carriages at onee, and were escorted to the Governor’s mansion. Jnst before they left the depot President Cleveland was warmly greeted by nn old fanner from Delaware County, who broke through the line, and Clasped the President’s hand before any one could stop him. “Well, this is Grover!”jie exclaimed. “Yes, sir,” answered the President, smiling pleasantly. After breakfast President Cleveland called on Secretary Manning. The chief event of the day was a military procession in which the local militia bodies, the Seventh Regiment of New York, with Cappa’s band, and many other State militaly organizations, Grand Army and other veteran organizations, the Rose Guards of Philadelphia, Mayor Thacher, and other city officials, members of the Legislature, Governor Hill and staff, and President Cleveland and members of his Cabinet had places. The procession was formed in four divisions. The President rode in the fourth division in an open carriage with Secretary Whitney. He field his hat in his hand while he bowed acknowledgments to the rounds of cheers that accompanied his progress. The Governor’s staff followed, and behitid them rode the Governor in a carriage. After the procession Gov. Hill delivered an historical oration at tho Clark street rink. When he had concluded his speech, and the applause had subsided, Mayor Thacher attempted to announce the next thing on the programme, but his voice was’ drowned by cries of “Cleveland!” “Cleveland!” The President arose, bowed, and sat down again on the platform, beside the Governor. This did not satisfy the audience, and the calls were renewed with vigor. Finally, Mr. Cleveland arose, and, advancing to the front of the platform, said: Citizens of Albany: I came here to-day as an invited guest to a family reunion. I desire to bo modest and not mingle too freely in congratulations and celebrations which belong more properly to you. Ido not wish to sound a single note of discord, but I have heard so much of the Dutch, of this being a Dutch city, bo much talk of the olden time and of. its customs, that when I remember that I dwelt rsvo years among you I whether lam in the right place or not At the risk of creating discordance, I will say that in my time Dutch was not the language of the town. The people spoke English, and to me words in English of kindness that I will never forget. lam glad, however, you have got your charter. When I lived here it was, I think, under a charter, but, according to my remembrance, it was a charter passed by the Legislature of the State in the first year I spent here, and approved by me. I must not detain you longer; but I cannot refrain from expressing to von my appreciation of the kindness with which you have received me, and from repeating the homelv and old-fashioned wish, may the citizens of Albany and their descendants see many happy returns of the day. The President spoke in dear, ringing tones that were audible in every portion of ine. large DuiiuiDg, ana wiGt -refflarKS were received with enthusiastic applause. When he sat down the audience called updfi Secretary Bayard for a speech, and he said: Ladies and Gentlemen, Citizens of Albany—l thank you most profoundly for your kindness In thus recognizing my presence among you. I came hero as a friend and companion of one whom it is my houor and pleasure to assist in the administration of our public affairs. It is my further pleasure, aH an American citizen, to take part in the celebration of honorable American traditions that so frequently take place in all parts of our country, aud I rejoice to see them -6&-worthily celebrated, I have myself something in my traditional ancestry of the blood of the Dutch, and I thank you for an opportunity of saying so. Secretary Whitney was next called for, aud said: I will occupy but a moment of your time, ladies and gentlemen, in taking this opportunity of exi ressihg to you that common sentiment of every one inspired by such a beautiful day, by such a gathering of people, and by the interesting exercises at which you have been present for several hours. It is an additional pleasure to have an opportunity of thanking you for the courtesy you have shown us and of saying I will bear away grateful recollections of the reception we have received this afternoon. Noch--ing more than this expression, lam sure, is called for from me. The music was rendered by an orchestra of fifty pieces and chorus of one hundred mule voices. The exercises concluded with the sipging of “America” by the chorus and audience. At the conclusion of the exercises the President, Secretaries Whitney and Bayard, and others drove to Secretary Manning’s residence, .where they remained about an hour. They then drove to the Governor’s residence, where, together with Mr. Manning, Francis Kernan, Lient. Gov. Jones, Rufus W. Peckham, Col. Lamout, and others, they dined with the Governor. After the dinner the President held a public reception in the Senate chamber of the Capitol, and later attended a private reception at Fort Orange Club. Later the Presidential party left for Washington. Cincinnati editors talk the loudest and •fiercest at each other of any editors on the continent, and yet none of Biem have ever bad any bullets in them. ’ M. Leon Say, the celebrated economist and academician, has become proprietor of La Petite Repitbliquc newspaper, of Paris. Philadelphia has raised $17,000 for the erection of a suitable memorial to Gen. Grant in Fairmount Park. *-» ■ l ~ Since the prohibition law was enforced in Rhode Island, Newport has not seen even a sea-serpent. ,1 ■ _ I- . The Denver Tribune says thai even during the hottest weather in Colorado sunstrokes are unknown.