The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1893-05-06
A Grand Spectacle.

A Grand spectacle.
The land parade in New York on Friday
of last week, following the naval review ct
the day previous, was one of the grandest
spectacles of modern times. The marines
and sailors of the English, French, Ger
man, Russian, Holland, Italian, Brazilian
and Argentine war ships, together with
Tinted States marines and sailors, the ma
val reserves of New York and Massachu-
sets and five or six regiments OF New York
state troops, marching together, presented
A sight never before witnessed in the world
history. The foreigners were armed, car
rying muskets, with fixed bayonets. They
carried the colors of their respective gov
ernments and their bands played the ma
tional airs of their own countries.
In no other government under the sun
eould such an event have occurred. This
republic is ON friendly terms with all pow
era and all feel at home here. The French
and Germans who have been glarlng at
each other for quarter of II century, each
watching every move of the other, left their
differences at home and officers and men,
in their best attire, mingled harmonlously.
So with the Russians and Germans, the
Russians and Italians, and The English and
Russians. After the parade the officers
from the war ships sat at the same banquet
tables. and the toasts TO the various gov
ernments were applauded by the entire
company of nearly five hundred guests
When a number of American Knights
Tenplar went to England, they were not
allowed to carry their swords. Knights
Templars are not military organization,
but no European government allows armed
bodies of foreigners on its territory.
The United States government wanted
the visiting foreigners to feel welcome, and
to refuse them the privilege OF carrying
their arms would have been a limited well
come. The foreigners would have regarded
themselves rs more or less intruders, and
the United States would have appeared as
distressing the full friendship and cordially
of her visitors.
The welcome extended to the officers and
men of the foreign vessels, the banquets,
balls and receptions, the invitation to pa
rade on shore with their arms, the toasts to
their respective governments, cannot nut
more strongly cement the friendship now
subsisting between this government and
those participating in the initial ceremonies
of the celebration of the four hundredth
anniversary of the discovery of America.
And the social intercourse among the for
eigners themselves has no doubt removed
some of the spirit of antagonism among
them.
If European nations would follow our
example and inaugurate series OF inter-
national naval reviews and military parades,
with receptions, balls and banquets, there
would be better feeling among them. A
feeling of security would succeed that OF
insecurity; jealous watchfulness, for fear
of precipitate onslaughts, would not be SO
necessary; costly standing armies could be
reduced, and the surplus men sent back TO
trades and professions; trade and business
wonld revive. and there would ensue Il
better condition for all.
The ingenuity Of man has prepared great
engines of destruction, and war now means
almost bankruptcy for those that engage IN
it. besides terrible slaughter and destruc-
ton. The consequences are most terrible,
and nothing short of actual invasion would
;ustifya resort to arms. Indisnities offered
to individuals. or other offences, can readily
he arbitrated. And to this end, an inter
national board of arbitration, if established,
would take the place of large armies and
navies, and could be depended upon to set
tie all disputes with fairness and justice
Besides, we are all one common brother
hood. and should dwell in peace and har-
meny. As a means to this good fellowship
international naval reviews and military
parades would be an excellent beginning.