Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1884-11-19
FIRST TIME DEMOCRATS PARADE IN ALpENA

cession. The procession was over
three-quarters of a mile long, and was
certainly the largest political process
sion ever seen in Alpena, as well as
the most enthusiastic one. The event
was we'll worthy of being celebrated.
After twenty-four years Of defeat,
Democracy had been victorious, and
it was no wonder that Democrats felt
elated and enthusiastic. Only three
days before they had met and decided
to celebrate. The decision was unani-
nous that such glorious victory
should not be allowed to pass without
proper celebration. A committee OF
fifteen gentlemen were appointed to
make arrangements and appoint the
time. AS the Democrats had never
before had a torch light procession in
Alpena, they had of course no torches.
The tinsmiths were given orders, and
by Thursday night over two hundred
torches were ready. Several hundred
Chinese lanterns were purchased, and
by hard work the committee had got
things in readiness.
The procession started from the
front of the Golling House, headed
by the City band, and proceeded to
Second street followed by the torch
bearers, after which came the Ger,
mania band and a large number OF
citizens in carriages, wagons, etc
Many of the men were armed with
brooms; others carried transparencies
Second street was followed to CHS
holm street, and then to Fifth street.
then to Washington Avenue, then to
Second street, then to Lewis street,
down Lewis to First, then to River
up that street to the bridge, then
along Dock street to Lake street
then to Commercial street, then tc
Fletcher street, then to Dock street
and then to the Opera House, where
the torches were stacked and the pro.
cession disbanded.
During the entire march there was
a display of rockets and Roman can,
dies, while those i'll the procession
kept up continuous cheers.
Thousands Of citizens had collected
at various points along the line OF
march. Nearly everyone appeared
pleased to see that the procession was
u success. Republicans would say
LET them rejoice, it's the first chance
they We had in twenty-four years
Others would wonder where all the
people came from.
Along the procession route the
residences of the Democrats were
brilliantly illuminated, and many Of
the citizens greeted the procession
with rockets and Roman candles
Coming down First street, the scene
was well worth seeing, as the display
of fireworks added to the light of the
torches made a magnificent scene
Added to this was the exultant cheers
of the victors, the music Of the band;
and the illuminated residences.
Many Of the residences displayed
transparencies showing the next Presi.
dent and Vice-P President Of this coun-
try. Two Republicans CALAMITY as
sisted w. l.. Churchill to shoot of
Roman candles.
The best of feeling was exhibited
between members of the two parties
and the celebration ended without
any damage being done or accidents
occurring.
At one time it looked as if SER
ious accident would take place. AS
the procession was turning up Second
street from River street, box full OF
fireworks, that were in n wagon, got
afre, and for few moments there
was display that was not in the
program. The team also seemed
ready to run away. Prompt work
soon prevented any disaster from oc-
curing.
Once in n while Blaine man on
the sidewalk would shout out "Hur-
rah for Blaine and Logan" but il
was not a successful cheer that night
There was too much Cleveland and
Hendricks about.
The transparcncies bore the follow.
ing devices:
"Bum This.--J G. D."
"My dear Mr. Fisher"
"Haye como 10 stay. The fraud Of 1876 shall not
DO repeated"
1--WE have won"
Labor and Capital shall both be Protected
"The people victorious. No more Bloody Shirt.
"No Star Routes for u.s."
On one side of a transparency was
a roughly painted picture of Blaine
and on the other were the words
"The Blaine we left behind US" Two
men in the procession wore Blaine
and Logan masks, and their trans
parency bore the device; Johnnie
and / are left"
While the procession was on the
move, some persons started a bon fire
on Second street near Reynolds jewel.