The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-07-05
THE MILITARY PARADE.

tators, no matter where those in authority decide
to locate the review In former years the militia
have always had many drawbacks to contend with
In their great sh0w-offs Owing 10 The sickly par
simony of the city money bagholders they have
been compelled to be reviewed in out-of the-way
places, sometimes so nconvenient as to necessi-
tate regiment marching by the reviewing oficer
in columns OF four simply. Now, everybody who Is
at all familiar with the militia system of
the city and the various difficulties 1t
has had to meet year after year from par
ties who know just as much about military
matters as the ordinary scavenger knows about
portrait painting, is aware that its would-be sGvO
Jdte has encountered sneers and opposition when it
should have ever been supported 10y ardent friends
and that, consequently, the enthusiasts in the
National Guard Of late years have been numbered
only by the dozens, when they should have been
numbered easily by the hundreds. Yet 1t must be
said that yesterday the militia had better oppor-
tunity to show what 1t is worth in numbers and
discipline than ever before And the reason why
and wherefore is this in nutshell. The "soer
bows" have now q reviewing ground. one which, If
not every way suitable to the manGuvring OF q
division, at least affords every advantage for
GRAND PARADE,
that Is, the Union square plaza. 1t is true that
this plaza has its drawbacks at present-that IL is
by no means what it ought to be for the mannu-
vres of division like that which New York de-
lights to honor. We all know that in general
manGuvring OF brigades it gives no scope what
ever; still 1t is an immense improvement upon
the review grounds Of the past and such should
be gwen all credit. Now as to the parade yester
day. Taking it all in all it of the very best
parades we have had for years on the Fourth 1t
should be borne in mind that Fourth Of July mill
tary reviews and parades, so far as the regular
militia is concerned, are never noted for a grand
display OF numbers; for the holiday season and
the country attractions are always too strong even
Tor the most enthusiastic military denzens OF this
metropolis Of arms And yet the parade of yester-
day came not in any respect behind any of its pre-
decessors 1t is sale to say that the opportunities
offered by the new plaza for an immense display
before the crlticeo public had great deal to do
with the general success.
1t was understood that the Mayor would review
the troops, and that large asseTnbage of military
bgbugs from near and a1ar would, as the French
say, assist the old gentleman IN his efforts to do
the honors of the occasion. The Mayor
promptly hand, and the assistants were not
behind hand at the right hour.
THE CROWDS AT THE PLAZA.
II generally takes a considerable time for q
division TO get into line on the Fourth, particularly
when that division is composed Of men who do not
go to bed at TAPS" every night; yet this citizen
fact, always so well exemplifed on the before
the Fourth, did not in the least make the regiments
getting into position AS early seven O'Clock
"a. NJ. be it understood) crowds began to gather in
ana ABOUT UNION square. Inc ponce came TO nand
good and early too and 1t was well that they did,
Tor about eight O'Clock the square, the plaza itself
and all the blocks adjoining became so filed up
with eager slght-seers, that lOcOmotlon from one
street to another In the vicinity became matter
OF utter inipossbiity. Indeed, not only the SIDE
walks were crowded, but every house from which
good view OF the parade could be witnessed held
In It's every story, at every window, Its quota of
everywhere. They filled up every nook and corner
which the lords OF creation were fearful to take
hold OF lest life and limb might be endangered;
n ~ tua ITO and
even at times went so Tar as to push their way into
houses wherever open hall doors seemed to invite
A GENERAL WELCOME
stu householderS and everybody else who might
nave "a, any othec time OF the year felt aggrieyed
at outside fa(usioN considered the ways and
means resorted to for go8a outlook by the good
humored gatherings as quite natural nnder the
circumstances, and so as far as the crushing 81 the
c0wd and the sp c h 0o
ing engendered OF Ill feeling, and everything passed
on in goQs ea@2T Eng )Glli y q, s',
,, II was near nine O'Clock when the head OF the
procession debouched from sixteenth street. The
route had been, before the plaza was reached, up
throsgh to Union square. All along the route
there was an immense crowd OF spectators on
the sidewalk. yet they WERE. in most part
moving crowds which followed the regiments
dSw Go s te s
was that when the head OF the column swung into
Broadway, opposite the Park, there came along
the police had hard work 10 control. The Mayor
and several other dignitaries at once took up po
siton on the piazza OF the little cottage The
north end OF the square, when it was announced
that the head OF the division was near at hand;
and so during the entire review he and his orna.
mental followers were enabled to play the part OF
reviewing officers commercially, and with suli-
cent military zeal to appear al Jdh so as to COM
mand the admiration OF all the regiments passing
! by The TACT is Mr. Havemeyer showed that, even
though he may not be military man, drilled in all
the ways that military men milltarily should go, ne
| ceremonial necessities
bent upon a military reviewing officer. He did ad-
mirably, reviewed properly, and did not make
| single mistake, even technical, during the entire
! THE RIGHT OF THE LINE
Some peculiar people may find iaut with the
| fact that the division did not march regular
! brigade order. Indeed, some carping so-called
military critics OF late have seen 1T to decry the
custom OF putting, or rather question the right of
any General Of division TO put, one brigade IN
parade before another which does mot not stand
1 or regulation in this State which makes It arbi
trary upon a general OF division to regard any
brigade, no matter what It's number In rank az 10y
right entitled to a certain position in line 1t Is
the practice, however, IN the regular army in
parades, to give different times the right OF the
line TO different regiments in brigades or to differ.
ent brigades IN divisions. 1t Is solely matter OF
option with the commanding officers. and as there
is no 1xed regulation about the matter II IL very
hard to see what iault can be found with an ofcer
who lit to exercise his discretion one
and not apology for the fact that the Third brigade
yesterday in the parade had the right OF line.
GeneraI Narian was absent ana Dy seniority Colo
mel Clarke, OF the Seventh, became the commander
| OF the brigade. IL Is needless to state that he
acted the part OF brlgader with all the grace and
| dignity which are expected OF a brigadier OF such
brigade as the Third. But as to the review.
THE VARIOUS REGIMENTS.
| The seventh, Lieutenant Colonel Ryder in CON-
mand. headed the line, fourteen files 'front.', In fu
dress uniform, white pants The regiment marched
past the reviewing stand company front, in steady
order, but it must be said did not do itself any
particular credit. To tell the truth, the marching
was "slouchy' and by no means came up to waat
1 hOdv a kpa
| The salutes OF the officers were excellent.
| The Ninth came next, ten files front, looking
| spruce and steady and commanding general admi-
ration.
The Eighth made good show by marching divi-
sion front before the stand. The regiment had
only ten files front, but had band, unfortunately.
! IL had a drum corps however, which made as
| much noise as twenty non-concordinR bands. Ac-
| cording TO strict regulations the Eighth, without
a band had no right TO parade, even though 1t did
parade well unuer all the circumstances OF the
| situation.