The San Francisco call., 1897-04-23
PATRIOTISM ON
SALINAS PLAINS
Children Knelt in the
Parade Before the
Veterans.
Nevada City Selected as the
Place for the Next En-
Campment.
General Chapman Said to Be Lead
ing In the Race for Depart
ment Commander.

SALINAS, CAL, April 22.-Every vet
eran of the Grand Army encampment to-
night is sounding the praises of Salinas,
handling visitors. The school children,
as feature of patriotic demonstration
and parade, surpassed everything that
has ever been seen at former encamp-
ments, State CT National.
Nothing happened to mar the pleasure
of the grand parade and review. The
weather was perfect. Promptly at the
hour appointed IL O'Clock this morning,
the column, escorted by Captain Burkes
Troop c, National Guards, moved. At
every block along the beautifully decora-
ted streets a new and delightful surprise
was unfolded to the sight of the march
ing veterans. Seven hundred school
children, marshaled in five battalions,
were lined up on Capital street. The chii-
dren saIuted the veterans, sang songs of
greeting in chorus, waved flags ana
aroused an enthusiasm in the Grand
Army column that spread to the vast
throng of spectators. causing cheers to re-
echo along the entire line.
This feature of itself was admirabIe
enough, but the sight of the moving bat
talions of children as they counter
marched in front of the reviewing stand
on Main street was what excited the great
est enthusiasm.
First came the girls of the High School
with japanese shades or parasols. then the
boys in white uniform and straw hats
headed by the school drum corps. The
boys of Lincoln School bore banner con-
tanning likeness OF Lincoln, which was
cheered again and again. The girls of the
Grammar School, with white and blue
sashes and mortar board hats of red.
white and blue topped with stars, made a
most creditable display. The crowning
feature of the whole scene was that ex-
hibited by the tots" of Washington Pri-
mary School. They main tanned their even
places in line by holding in their hand
streamers running the entire length of
the battalion. In front of the reviewing
stand, where the badges glittered, The
little ones were halted TO sing America"
then they knelt down in the roadway OF
the straet and Ill chorus invoked the favor
Of heaven 10 preserve the country and
the flag.
The veterans of the war and the lady
veterans of thirty peaceful encampmens
were deep moved. The emotion pro-
duceo N the rank ks OF the Woman's Relief
Corps and in the circles of the Ladies of
the Grand Army has not yet subsidized.
All assert that il was the most i'm pres
sive and beautiful spectacle that they ever
saw. The excellence of the marching,
the grading of the children according to
size, ana the precision with which the
young lady teachers handled their respec-
tive commands was a common topic OF
comment. Comrades from San Francisco
exclaimed: Look at that object lesson
and fancy San Francisco giving features
to a procession. This is out of sight. In
all our encampments nothing has equaled
this feature. Salinas has carried off the
honors."
The Sons of Veterans, while not numer.
ically strong, .enlisted considerable cheer
ing. Frequent cheers were given for the
Veteran Guard and loud huzzas for Troop
q, National Guard OF California, an or
ganiZation of which Salinas is proud.
To view the parade people came from
Monterey, Pacific Grove. Castroviiie, Wat
sonville, Gllroy and from places hundred
miles distant. 1t was great day on the
plains of Salinas, showing that the growth
of patriotism and the development OF the
beet-sugar industry go hand in hand.