Report of Boaed of General Managers. 43 



school children's parade. From the public schools, private schools,, 

 colleges and universities of the city and vicinity trooped the future' 

 rulers of the metropolis, marshalled by their teachers and superintend- 

 ents and led by the mayor himself. Full 30,000 in number, of every 

 nationality and creed, of every condition in life, the youthful host 

 marched past the reviewing stand in Madison square, living evidences 

 of the force and beneficence of the civil and religious liberty of the 

 land discovered by the hero whose fame they celebrated. Other more 

 showy parades there were, but none which struck deeper into the sen- 

 sibilities of the spectators than this array of growing minds. 



Tuesday's great event, which drew unnumbered thousands to the 

 shores of the bay and river, was the naval parade. The vessels swung 

 into line below the ISTiirrows, and as they came up between the Staten 

 and Long Island shores salute after salute was Hred which were 

 returned by the forts on either side. Spreading out into the ' broad 

 bay, the war vessels of four nations led the flotilla ; of Italy, the birth- 

 place and home of the humble Genoese sailor ; of Spain, the land of 

 his adoption and the patron of his enterprise ; of America, his dis- 

 covered land and the mightiest champion of the freedom and progress 

 he died for ; and of France, America's ancient ally in the struggle for 

 constitutional liberty. In their convoy came the merchant vessels of all 

 nations gaily dressed in the colors of their native land, mingled with 

 those of America. Yachts and pleasure boats trimmed from hull to 

 masthead darted in and about the moving mass adding life and color to 

 the scene. As the fleet rounded Bedloe's Island under the shadow of 

 the statue of Liberty and stood up the broad Hudson glittering in the 

 rays of the soft October sun, it formed a sight bewildering in its quiet 

 beauty and never to be forgotten by those so fortunate as to view it. 



The war vessels dropped anchor off Riverside Park, and the other 

 vessels rounding to and passing in review slowly dispersed. The parade 

 reflected the highest credit on the executive ability of its grand 

 admiral. Commodore S. Nicholson Kane of the ISTew Tork Yacht 

 Club, and his able staff. 



The mihtary parade of the following day, if less effective in beauty, 

 was equally successful and impressive. A conservative estimate placed 

 the number in line at Y0,000. General Martin T. McMahon was the 

 grand marshal and Troop A acted as his escort. In the right of line 

 came the United States regulars, including the West Point cadets, fol- 

 lowed by the marines from the war ships in the harbor. Then came in 



