The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1896-10-17
A QUARTER CENTURY

CHICAGO Oct 9-Twenty-fve years,
ago to-day the city of Chicago was laid
waste by the greatest confiagration OF
modern times. To-day, in commend
ration of hat day of dreadful havoc
and suffering, Chicago celebrates the
rebuilding and progress of what's now
the second city of America
The anniversary was taken advan-
tage of by local managers of the presi-
dental campaign to make q demon
stration in advocacy Of the continu-
ance OF the present financial system,
epublicans and gold democrats join
ing forces under the directions of the
Business Mems Sound Money ~associa-
ton in organizing a parade, the equal
of which has never beer seen in this
or probably any other American city.
As a counter demonstration, the COM
bined free silver forces will tonight
give a torchlight parade, which
promises to be quite as notable as the
day parade of the gold men.
Probably in the history of Chi
cago there has never been such
a number of people congregated
on its treets. The sidewalks
along the entire route of the
parade were a congested mass of
humanity, which was with great diff
Guilty kept from blocking the streets
by the constant activity of an immense
detail of police. The day was made a
general holiday. The board of trade
and nearly all business houses were
nloSad and 70 c,ra1I tho orOu-1c tbou-
sands of people came from the sur
rounding country, the railroads re-
ported the heaviest traffic since Chi
cage day at the Worlds fair three
years ago.
Not a street car was allowed to cross
the river from the north and west
sides, nor were any south side cars per-
mitted to invade the district set apart
for the paraders. Every bridge was
closed to vehicles, and all traffic on
downtown streets was supended.
Banners and flags swing at intervals
across the streets, and from every tall
building others float, while the front
of almost every structure is a mass of
red, white and blue. Many of the show
windows also are deliberately decorated
in honor of the occasion.
From the thousands of paraders
arose n mighty roar-cheers, yells,
music of innumerable bands, the loot
ing of horns, little and big, the pene-
trating believing of immense mega
phones, and the thousand and one
other noises that mark the passing of
a great political parade.
At two or three points along the line
of march immense open-mouthed tele-
phone receivers had been attached to
wires leading directly to the homes of
YIN. Mckinley and Carrot A. Hobart,
and to various eastern cities, into
which were announced the lanes of
each organization as the great column
passed, and then a mighty shout went
up that was intended to be and no
doubt was heard a thousand miles
away.
Observation stands were erected at
frequent intervals, and not only were
they filed to their utmost capacity,
but every building had its throng of
spectators filling it's window spaces
some of the thrifty tenants
even renting seats in desirable
windows for half a dollar apiece.
Many distinguished people from
outside the city witnessed the great
parade, among them being Mark
Hanna, who reached the city Thurs.
day, and who, in company with the
members of the Republican national
campaign committee, viewed the sights
from the Union League, and Cen
erals Palmer and Buckner, the
anti-silver candidates for the
presidency, who watched the parade
from a stand in front of
Depew, of New York, and Secretary
of Agriculture Morton, who were to de-
liver addresses here tonight. were also
interested spectators; as also are (but
from a different point of view Sena-
tors Teller and Pettigrew and Con.
gressmen Towne, Dubois and Lind,
who addressed the free silver forces in
the afternoon and evening.
The Night Silver Parade.
The night demonstration in point OF
numbers and enthusiasm was a sue
cess. The streets through which the
procession passed were crowded with
spectators and they came prepared to
accord the marchers the greatest en-
couragement.
AS to display the procession wa
scarcely rs gorgeous as that OF the
gold advocates i'll the day time, but
this vas not unexpected, as the silver
people gave 1t out early in the week
that they would attempt nothing in
the way of spectacular effects.
The banners as a rule were of an
impromptu order, and many of the
notices were trite in their applica-
ton and were wildly cheered at all
points. One in particular, bearing the
inscriptions: Our bosses are watch
ing" caught the crowds on the side
walks, who, perceiving the point con-
veyed, were not slow to display their
appreciation.
A very pretty sight was a float, on
which were seated II young ladies OF
whom l6 were dressed in white, with
silver adornments, and one ~deckedwith
gold. The significance of this display
created unbounded enthusiasm. The
young ladies enjoyed the applause and
responded by waving United States
flags