National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1880-09-28
pn1LADE1PHrA roR eARtrr1D.
-Four Miles of Blazing Torches Tho Most
Brilliant Political Pageant Seen In
That City for Many Years.

That City for Many Years.
From the Philadelphia Timcs.l
The republicans made one of the most impos-
ing demonstrations in the way Of torchlight
parade on Saturday night ever seen in this
city. There were altogether 32,2G4 men in
line. Major.General John +. Hartranft was
the chief marshal of the parade, which was
composed of two grand divisions or wings, the
north wing being commanded by General
James W. Latta. and the south wing by Colonel
George II. North The north wing, propara-
tory to the parade, formed east and west of
Broad street. on Montgomery and Columbia
avenues Oxford, Jefferson and Master streets.
Girard avenue, Poplar aud Parrish streets, and
the south wing on Federal, Wharton, Dckin-
son, Reed, Ellsworth Washington av-
onue and Carpenter streets. The Union
Republican club occupied the right of the
north wing and the Union League club the
right of the south wing. Tho north wing
comprised the Union Republican club, com.
manded by John l.. Hill, aud five divisions
commanded respectively by William G.. Huey
William G. Barnes, General Joshua 4. Owen
William Judge and Thomas J. Powers. There
were in this division altogether 22,003 men,
The south wing comprised tho Union League,
commanded by Colonel r. Dale Benson aud
four divisions, commanded respectively by
James l.. Miles, Captain John G. Thompson,
William Dixey aud Robert Il. Granloes. In
this division there were 1026l men. About
one hundred different clubs took part in the
demonstration. The two wings marched In
opposite directions, the north wing passing
down Broad street to the south and tho south
wing moving up Broad street TO the north
The effect of the two columns passing each
other in opposite directions was very fine.
THE MARCH AND THE SPECTATORS.
General Lattas wing, having the longest dis.
lance to traverse TO reach the Union League
house, began the march first, promptly on time
--half.past 8. When the head of the column
reached Girard avenue rocket was sent up
as a signal to Colonel North that it was time
for him to get his men in motion. The head
Of each column was preceded by platoon Of
mounted policemen, who had hard work to
clear u passagoway among tho dense masses of
men, women and children who thronged the
thoroughfare. Not only was the street packed
with people, but every inch of sidewalk, steps,
doorways, windows aud every available Gle.
waited position were occupied. Many houses
along the line were illuminated aud dec.
grated with flags and Chinese lanterns.
All the marshals and their stats were
mounted and were dressed in dark suits,
black silk hats and white gloves. The uni.
forms of many of the clubs were brilliant and
striking in the light ofthe thousands of torches.
Every club was preceded by band of music
VI u Hlc anu uluu COIUss lut lNO wings LutI
aud passed each other In front Of the Union
lie ague house. The scene here was brilliant
hey oMd description. The upturned faces Of
10000 people were lighted up by perfect
stream Of fire.balls, which shot up into the air,
circled and fell like the spray of fountain,
showing every color of the rainbow. Rockets
whizzed into tho upper air, and mortar fired
shells henvenward, which at tho height of
200 or 800 feet exploded into u thousand
shooting stars. General Hartranft aud staff
who had marched wn Broad street, wheeled
out ofthe line at the Union League and took po-
sition ut the corner of SAMSON street, while
the two columns continued tho march in OPP
posite directions The march past the League
house began at 9:45 o'clock aud it was long
after midnight before the last club had
passed.
ATTEMPTED sPEEcHMARING.
Before the professions arrived an attempt
was made to have some speech making from
brilliantly illuminated and decorated stand in
front Of the League house, which was itself q
blaze of light. President George ii. Boxer
presented James q. Blaine Of Maine, who was
received with u tremendous roar OF applause.
The crowd, however, was 50 vast aud so un.
manageable, swayng and surging rs If moved
by an irresistible force, that it was impossible
for even the splendid voice of the Maine sena.
tor to DO heard by amy one aud he scarcely
made an attempt 10 speak. About tho only
proposition that he was able to make, OH ac-
count OF the deaIoming roar around him, was
that the democratic platform surrenders the
manufactures and shipping OF America to the
British free-trade advocates II have co me-"
ho said, five hundred miles to say 10 this
great commonwealth, in which l have the
pride aud honor of birthright, that tho election
Of Hancock is amenaco to the great industries
Of the United States, aud with this thought on
your minds | hnvO no doubt that you will give
ON tho ID OF November an overwhelming ma.
jOrly for General Garfield"