Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1889-05-09
OHIO IN THE PARADE.

! F. d. MuSsey, in Cincinnati Commercial Gazette
The great scene of the parade occur
red when Kentucky and Ohio came
along, with Foraker leading the Buck
eyes.
In front of him was the Louisville
/ Legion, which was beautiful organiza-
ton. Next to it came the First City
Troop, of Cleveland, and the two to-
gether, in striking contrast, formed the
most brilliant spectacle of the day.
Nothing finer in a military way was
ever seen in the country than the spec
tacle presented by the marching of the
Louisville Legion and the riding of the
Cleveland City Troop.
The appearance of these Western or
ganizations opened the eyes of the East
ern people in astOnishment and un-
bounded admiration, and they gave full
vent to their feelings.
There had been few evidences of en-
thusiasm before the white guidon of
Ohio was seen fluttering down the street.
The President had been cheered. Gen.
Beaver had been cheered. Fitzhugh
Lee had been cheered, and the Cadets
and the much beDlumed company from
Staunton, Va, had been cheered. But
a good deal of it seemed to be of per
functory nature, much like the laughing
of an audience in negro minstrel show,
who laugh at old chestnutS because they
have come to laugh, and are not to be
cheated out of the business.
But the first popular outbreak came
with the appearance of Foraker. Every
person of the hundreds of thousands
will bear me out in this.
His appearance at Union Square was
the signal for roar of cheering that
followed him to the end of the march.
For the first time the people took
heart in the matter and there arose a
mighty sing of "O-O-O-Hi-O" and
''For-for- for -ker." Voices called out
in tones of anxious inquiry: What is
the matter with Foraker" and then
thousands of voices replied with an EN-
phasis that made ones tympanum tired:
"Oh, he's all right"
Foraker rode a fine horse, and was
never given chance to put on his hat.
The roar that greeted him as he came
into Madison Square following the beau
tiful Louisville Legion, and followed by
the magnificent Cleveland City COmpa-
ny and the Ohio troops, was enough to
give man permanent case of big
head.
1 am not here to account for the pop
ular feeling toward the Ohio Governor.
| simply state the facts as everybody
present to-day knows them. The Ohio
troops made highly creditable display.
They looked, more than any other or
ganizatiOn except the Pennsylvania mi
litia, like business"
They were the only troops except
those of Pennsylvania, that were fully
equipped and carried knapsacks, haver-
sacks and canteenS.
Cleveland carried off the hOnors of
the day through her City Troop and her
artillery under Smithnight Not even
the regular artillery could compete with
the Cleveland batteries in appearance.
1t was great day for Ohio. With
one exception Ohio furnished the only
COlOTeu OISdulLdGlOH.
One point is made in criticism of the
Ohio militia, and that is they were nOta-
bly, deficient in music.
1t takes music to carry off a great pa
rade like this, and the paucity of that
element was in striking contrast with
the many great bands and drum corps
of other States.
Some of the regiments had no music
at all, and others some few piddling flies
and drums that might as well have been
left behind. Sometimes the Ohio men |
went marching past in perfect silence,
so far music was concerned.
Another thing, the Ohio bands were
the only ones that failed to play in pass
ing Mr.. Morton's house, the headquar |
ters of the President, with one excep- |
ton, the band with the Eighth Regi- |
ment. The band of the famous old |
Fourteenth struck up, but they were
half a square beyond the balcony where
Mrs. Harrison and Mrs. Morton and the |
families sat. This is not great matter,
and guess the boys can take the sug-
gestion kindly, to do little better in
the way of music next time, as they did
the State 50 much credit in numbers,
fine marching and complete equipment
ment to-day.
The Ohio part in the parade made
Ohioans in New York feel very proud
Of their State.