Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-08-26
March in the Grand Army
Parade at Buffalo, N. Y.
Reviewed by President Mckinley WIZ
Is Given Cheer Upon Cheer.
TIE Day Of All Days Of the Year to III,
Brave Boys In Blue.

Porter doomed it's salute for the new
day the sun was obsured by banks Of
heecy clouds at the east which rose and
darkened into ominOus blackness at the
west heavy mist rose from Lake
Erie and lowered over Camp Jewett
and was carried back cityward by a
fresh breeze from the west when rev.
ellie brought the comrades from their
tents.
Soon, however, a rift came and the
sun red and glorious. flashed on the
spires and domes OF the city, and
found kindred coioring in myriad
flags. The awakening city saw the
omen, and knew that the day was to
be fair.
Gen. Clarkson and his staff rode from
the Iroquois to the hotel Niagara as
soon as the staff drew up in line and
General Clarkson waited upon Presi-
dent Mckinley to escort him to the
head of the column.
At 10 o'clock the President left the
Niagara accompanied by the escort.
Along the way to the point of forma-
ton the President was cheered to the
echo. Arriving at the corner of Main
and Upper Terrace. his carriage took
the position at the head of the column,
directly behind the citizens committee
the members of which were mounted.
At 1890 o'clock the command to
march was given and the procession
moved. n the innumerable drums.
the blare Nof trumpets. the clash Of
symbals and the screeching of flies
the Grand Army of the Republic, head
ed by the President of the nation, took
it's triumphal way through sea of ell
bowling. cheering people. The side
walks on each side Of Main street as
far as they could reach, were filled with
solid masses. From every window
faces beamed out by the half dozen or
more and the roofs had a stirring pop
ulation.
The path of the parade stretched out.
a long white ribbon of asphalt. Into
this gulf of admiring countrymen the
head of the procession plunged for a
two-mile march. Up Main street it
advanced passing Senaca street and
Swan street and on each side of which
the people stood in crowds, stretching
their necks to get glimpse of the face
Of President Mckinley and to see the
tops of the hats Of the comrades as
they passed down the line.
In the great square in front of the
Erie County Bank, and at a great inn
provised grand stand, the immensely
If the crowd was seen for the first
time to be fully appreciated.
The arch of welcome was in the form
Of a letter "A" with the &c" and "R"
standing out to 'il1e right and left like
great wings of red and blue. In stand
formed by the cross piece of the "A"
was stationed band which played
Hail To The Chief" as the President
Of the United States and commander
in-chief of the Grand Army of the Re-
public, passed through the monster
portals.
The people gave a mighty cheer, and
President Mckinley" 'Conrade Ne
Knley." THE Grand Army could be
heard above the roaring tumult
Again the column plunged in between
the congested sidewalks and the walls
Of populous windows and again the
1efeaning applause roared back from.
wall to wall.
by Tile Iiiile ITeSIdcliN MChlItlty dHu
General Clarkson had passed beneath
the triumphal arch, which spans Main
street at the juncture of East and
West Geneve and Curon streets, fully
three-quarters of a mile had been
covered. All along the route the Pres
ident acknowledged the salutes of the
crowd
Once clear from the portals of the
arch, the President saw before him the
great living shield and caught tine,
music of 1000 young voices. lifted in ma
tional anthems. As the columns ap-
preached the shield, the human sym
pathy, that had been pent up for All
hour broke out in tumultuous climax
of enthusiasm. AS the bands, Presi-1
dent Mckinley and the marching men
came closer, the children of the shields
and the men and women, young and
Did, rose and waved and cheered fer the
Grand Army of the Republic and
''Comrade VIM. Mckinley"
The business center of the city had
now been passed by the right of line,
and Delaware avenue, famed as one of
The great residence streets of the coun-
try, lay before the advancing parade.
Flags, bunting and draperies fluttered
from the palatial mansions Of the
rich. Out before the steadily moving
columns there came a vision as beauti-
full as a dream. 1t was a corps of fair
young girls, gowned in the colors of the
flag and weighed down with the finest
flowers that the gardens of New York
can produce. Handful after handful, |
after basketful they scattered
Under the feet of the old soldiers.
For the first time President McKin- |
ey's face showed the emotions that It |
conceals. For monument he /
ooked to one side, that calm face turn
I'd once more to the front and warm,
Kind smile illuminated it as the flowers
dropped from the dainty hands that I
ossed them.
At North street the last wheel in the
riumphal march was made.
AS soon as the department of Illinois, T
rom it's place Of formation on lower
Main street had taken up the march.
he department Of Wisconsin fell in
Ind brought up the rear of the first d.
yision.
lcontinued on page ~
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