Juniata sentinel. [volume] (Mifflintown, Pa.) 1846-1873, 1865-10-18
The Fireman's Parade.

rolled thr5S n cur principal streets yes
. terday not only attracted the attention OF
our own citisers, says the North Amer
can, but also the attention Of all from
other towns and cities who viewed it,
sThe saily decorated engines and hand
someiy caparsoued horses, the glittering
uniforms. the music and banners, and
othei surroundings, drew much deserved
notice. There were advantageously COM
pared with other cities and other times in
our own city. and every one fel. tina. a
great danger and evil had here its compe.
tent master. The decorations were nu
merous and appropriate
Still the controlling idea which Affected
us, as company after company Of sta!wart
men filed past, was not that We had the
best fire organization in the country, and
| perhaps in the world ror that We had
the best and most beautiful engines to ex-
tingulsh fire; nor thar the organizations
were more full and pesfec. in their esprit
de corps; though all of this is trus.-
But as the varied uniforms advanced, CO.
lor chasing color, as though dozen prisms
were interviewer, and every uniform show.
Ing the stalwart form of its wearer, We
could but reflect that here lay the military
and the industrial power of great ma.
tion, which has just viudicated itself
against rebellion, and, thanks to such sons
as these, can maintain itself as well against
foreign assaults. All Europe may be
safely challenged to show any so fine body
Of meI, merely as men and athletes cef-
tainly and safely challenged TO point our
anywhere such body grouped only by
voluntary organizations, and devoting
themselves to charitable as well as be.
nifeent missicn The thews and sinews,
the brawu and muscie-not in excess vet
never defcient-which were visible in the
line of march, would have done credit to
an old torso, or to the chisel Of him who
cut Hercules aud the Athlete. There
was physical power in every man, which,
whatever may be said Of the other vir-
tues, is near akin to many that are mos.
priced. The countenauces showed that
Intelligence, courage and good judgment
which direct other ability and lead it in
the right channels. And thus, as this
civil pageant passed in its parade, We felt
more hopeful for city, State and country.
that they contained such citizens for the
ornaments Of peace and great defences of
war. Nor was the idea weakened in be.
holding borne over one section Of the line
a banner Of the stats and stripes, rent by
many shot, which had evidently been as
we'll advanced in the great war happily
closed, as it then was il peaceful triumph |
and the fcstivity Of an organization which
lived under its protection.
We are an eminently practical people,
and rather tIown upon parades which ac-
nothing. This Convention of
Firemen aud consequent display was, how
ever, very practical. 1t gave some proof
that the alleged physical aeseneracy of
America is not SO great as the English
have asserted it showed that the young
men OF the land have not been wholly
drained by the war; it demonstrated that
those who remain are as capable ply scal.y
and IS reliable patriotica!ly as were those
who have put down forever the greatest
rebellion ever known. incidentally ii
showed that the city sleeps safely agains,
is greatest foe, and that We have better
insurance than the most sold INSURANCE.
ever chartered. Itproved, too.
hat the ocean Of business whose first
waves even now begin to come iu. can be
net and utilized. and that thoseenergies
20 soon to be needed in the great works of
he city and tie land will be found ready
md competent, ard accompanied by cool
,eads and strong hands to carry us be-
'oud every point Yet reached in useful
production. This is enough for the less,
N of single day, and few who watched
he parade viii question its truth
So long as Philadelphia can show such
,itizens, all of whom are employed in some
lseful and lucrative calling, aud trained
o some profitable business, she can be /,
ure of holding her own against competi.
ion and growing. So long as the State
las such unpaid reserves to fall back up,
m, it is certain that she will progress iu
wealth and influence. And so long as I
he nation can exhbi, professions of such a
tuong, intelligent aud patiiotio citizens, !
It's certain that rebellions cannot ripen