Rensselaer Republican, Volume 19, Number 30, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 March 1887 — EMPEROR WILLIAM. [ARTICLE]

EMPEROR WILLIAM.

The German Sovereign’s Ninetieth Birthday Celebrated with Gre*rt Enthusiasm. Presents to the Aged Ruler—Decorations Conferred Upon Many Prominent Persons. [Cable dispatch from Porlin.] The 90th anniversary of Emperpr William’s birthday was ushered in Tuesday, March 22, by the pealing of bells and the sounding of a choral. Early in the day special religious serx jces were held in all tue churches. Which were attended by the children from all the schools in the city, xvho marched to the churches in procession, headed 4>y bands of music. The city is decorated as it never was before, flags and drapery being hung from every building. The monument of Frederick the Great was covered with wreaths and flowers. AVherever there xvas a bust or statue of the Emperor in a shop window or other exposed place it was buried in flowers. The streets were thronged with people in holiday attire from an early hour. ——— : The students’ procession, on .horseback and in carriages, xvas a grand affair. Pass- : ing the palace the bands played the national anthem, “Preussenlied,” and “AVacht am Rhein,” the students all singing to the music. The Emperor appeared at the window as the procession was moving past and bowed, remaining there a considerable time. The municipal procession was preceded by heralds and marshals bearing the town banner, the whole body of the 'evangelical 'Cl&rgy, the chief civil and military authorities, representatives of German science, art, and commerce, the directors of the gymnasia, and the burgesses and communal officers —in all over two thousand persons. The procession was accompanied by several bauds, which played marches alternately with chorals by trumpeters. The procession went iu state from the town nail to attend the commemoration religious service in the Church of St. Nicholas. The clergymen xvere all full robed, and the officials wore their uniforms and regalia. AVhen the procession entered the church the organ played a prelude.. This xvas followed by the singing of the “Salvum sac Regem”* and tho chanting of the AmbroBian hymn. The festival sermon was preached by Provost Bruechner. At noon a royal salute of 101 guns was fired from the Koenigsplatz. Prince Bis-' marck and Marshal von Moltke went to pay their conerntulations to ,the Emperor at 1 o’clock. They were enthusiastically cheered all along the routo of their way to and from the palace. The illuminations at night throughout the city were superb. Emperor AVilliam conferred the decoraof the grand cross of the Red Eagle upon Ministers von Puttkamer, Lucius, and von Boetticher; the grand cross of the Hohenzollern family order upon Ministers von Gossler, von Scliolz, aud von Scheellendorf, and General Albedyll; the first class of the Red Eagle upon General von Caprivi and Count Nesselrode, and the star of the Red Eagle of the second class upon Count Herbert Bismarck. General Katze xvas appointed Grand Huntsman, and Count Pueckler Chief Cupbearer. Among the presents received by the Emperor xvere an exact duplicate of the General’s sasli worn by Frederick the Great, from the Empress; “Grandpapa’s Birthday,” a terra-cotta group by Eugene Blot, from Paris; besides floral tributes from all parts oi: Germany and from England. The day xvas celebrated with similar and equal enthusiasm in all the towns of the empire. Banquets, thanksgiving services, receptions, etc., were held at all the capitals of- Europe in honor of the venerable inonareh. _____ __ __