Daily national Republican. (Washington City [D.C.]) 1870-1872, 1870-04-16
tbs aRAND DENOMINATION
LAST NIGHT

In another part OF this Issue will be found
an extended report Of the procession and
denomination BY the Boys In Blue last plrb,
In honor Of the ratification Of the fifteenth
amendment, and at the same time in favor
OF change Of government for the District
OF Columbia. The spectacle was not oply
imposing, but respectable In point of mum.
oers, and In the behavior and conduct Of
the immediate participants az we'll as BY
those who lined the sidewalks as spectators.
The quiet, digulaed deoorum Of the pro-
eeedlng was a subject OF general remark by
all who witnessed the procession. The side
walks were crowded with spectators, at
tentlve to any and every incident that might
possibly occur, and an universal pIaudlt was
bestowed upon the good taste and good
order exhibited 10 carrying out the pro.
gramme. The bearers OF the torches and
transparcucies evlneed knowledge Of drm
eommendablo In soldiers, and much more TO
be appreciated in an improVlsed procession.
While the procession was for the purpose
OF celebrating the fifteenth amendment, its
PSr'onnsl gave 1t a deep local political slgnlf.
canoe, and 1t could not fall TO strike terror
TO the hearts Of Mayor Bowen and every
member Of the City Hall ring. But best OF
all, 1t was voluntary display.
In the demonstration on Wednesday,
which was intended to show the strength
ofthe City Hall ring, the crowd was largely
made up Of Corporation laborers, who in the
matter Of participating had Hobson's choice.
On that occasion the crowd was augmented
by the Fire Department, and tho line was
extended by display Of Corpora ton carts.
It was understood that the Bowen adher.
enta were not to turn out last night, under
penalty, and 1t Is therefore certain that eveIy
man who participated last night is an anti.
Bowen man, and will vote a square ticket
for reform in city affairs at the ensuing
June election.
Besides those in the procession, the re-
spectacle multitude of the prominent cltI.
sens and of the newly enfranehlsed class on
either aide Of the line Of march evidently
mani something in the way of city govern
ment reform, in their voluntary effort on
this grand and brilliant movement.
Mr.. Bowen aud his friends had done all
In their power to belittle and ridlcule this
demonstration, but the result was glorious
In spite OF them. The denomination was
In all respects success. large number
turned out. An equally large number lined
the sidewalks to encourage aHd cheer on
the Boys In Blue. The Vice President Illu-
minated his residence for the occasion, and
the President addressed to them words Of
encouragement while the lateness Of the
hour alone prevented addresses from dis
unguished gentlemen at the Capitol.
Now we don't mean To be misunderstood
In these remarks. We don't want any Of
Mr.. Bowen's bugle-men or syeophants to
say that we mean to convey the idea that
because Vice President Colfax illuminated
his house, or because President Grant ad-
dressed the Boys in Blue, they by that act
placed themselves in sympathy with Mr..
Bowen's opponents, or intended to NEEDLE
In our local political quarrels.
They recognized this as demonstration
In favor Of the fifteenth amendment, and
the Presidents remarks were thus directed.
But we do mean to repeat here, what we say
In the beginning of this article, that while
this was fifteenth amendment and terrific
rial government celebration combin ed, Its
psrsonHsl had a practical Significance In favor
OF reform and In opposition to the City Hall
ring, and all other corruption In our NUM-
cipAl affairs.