The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-04-19
EMANCIPATION DAY PARADE.
The Grotcsque but Interesting Procession that
PreaIdent McIkinley ReyIcMch.

hthNthtt bhtNtC"tWs
WARRINGTON. April 1s.-The Emancipation
Day parade which passed under tho White House
portico on Friday afternoon was a source Of
much interest to tho President and his Secretary
Of War. 1t had been arranged beforehand for
the President to review the procession, and when
the Grand Marshal Of tho day rode up to the
White House shortly after 2:30 and informed
the Secretary that the parade was coming down
Pennsylvania avenue and would pass under tho
portico, tho President was ready to fulfil his
promise. The Grand Marshal was a pudgy
colored man in gay uniform, mounted on q small
horse with a bob.tail. decked out with blue and
white ribbons. The officer gallopcd up in front
Of the mansion and, raising his cap, sGluted ono
Of the White House guards. 1t was evidently
the proudcst moment of his life, as he sat as
erect as q Cossack, ducked his cap, and in o
piping voice said:
Am de President ready TO usl"
The White House guard could hardly conceal
his merriment as he replied in the Affirmative.
Tho little man on the horse spurred the beast in
the ribs, loosened the reins and trotted off at n
break.neck speed. A great crowd of colorcd
people had by this time collected in front of tho
White House, and it was only after many loud
commands and some threats that the squad OF
policemen kept the enthusiastic colored citizens
from surging through the open space. 1t was
the object Of the policemen to keep the passage
way clear. go that the procession could pass
without interruption, but in this they made any
thing but a complete success. The colored
brethren forgot all about the rules of order
and decorum and rushed about pell.mell, helter-
SHELTER, like q column OF runaway ~Bashi-Bazouks.
Every one wanted to get within close proximity
to tho President. Colored women, with Easter
bonnets and spring dresses, pushed their way
we'll toward the front, and from a view on tho
White House portico every color OF the rainbow
was visible. All kinds, oolors, and conditions of
people formed tho motley crowd. Negroes, how
ever, predominated
When the White House officer had informed
the President that the parade was awaiting his
pleasure. the Chief Magistrate Immediately
donned his overcoat and silk hat and came down
went up from the crowd that could have been
heard distinctly three blocks away. The Presi-
vanced a few steps and waited for the process.
sion sEs tr seGF eta VA AlTSs sn,, who had 4 Just stepped cd
a gesture from Il the President.. took tisp a place e
beside him.. Just about this. time the head of
the parade hove in sight; -Four policemen in
steeds, led the procession and cleared the
way. Next came a squad OF colored citizens on
horseback, with waving plumes and dangling
swords. The President barred his head, but in tho
excitement OF the moment the horsemen passed
did not look up at the President, in a fear that
they would lose their military bearing. Next
dulC u htC ullu vi uthS 20 lnab- Jul
Justice to a country political, meeting. The
players wore their hats away down on the side
Of their heads and marched with a strut that was
amusing. A regiment of colored soldiers marched
by with anything but military bearing, many Of
wheezy band of about six pieces came march
Ing by playing a patriotic air. 1t was the cyl
dfhsr p ip byo%i1 ot S s&Gh ;n oan 6s ins, 10 0etdo Inc
as u result, the music was out OF tune and out
OF time, A squad Of negro boys in sailor trou;
instruments on their shoulders, came by next
under the command of their Captain. and lined
shouted commands in a loud voice, but this
seemed TO disturb the boys, and many Of
serve the orders OF their Captain was ludicrous.
One or two Q fthem attempted to kneel down,
l Mddiits sns eSIsfS t 10 @mS SieN% a good dna 1aa9 3
With u yell the Captain ordered them to right
about iast lo f9f iSo P Ppd it5hsyt marched Ti r %ns ON. III They n,r had
was INSTRUCTED, and for several minutes they
stood stock still in front of the White House.
President was becoming impatient, despatched
a policeman down to rnise the blockade. He did
30 and the parade soon advanced.
A delegation of former slaves. many Of them
bowed under the weight of threescore years and
hat. They ali barred their heads and saimted tho
President. The tail end, OF the procession was
tho running gears Of az ordinary farm wagon.
The boat was painted white, and was i'll sharp
contrast with the black faces within. Ten or
tempted TO stand erect as the wagon rolled
by. But the, enthusiasm Of the moment
was too much for them, and they came near
falling out Of the boat. They checred
the President and he returned the salute. One
old negro, who looked as II he had Just emerged
from servitude. stood in the middle OF the boat
and waved his hat high above his abnormally
large head. His hair was as white as snow and
white. "Hooray. Hooray." he shouted at the
top OF his voice. One OF tho occupants Of tho
boat touched the old man on the arm and in |
vited him TO his seat lest his enthusiasm should
overcome him.
hs soon ms the hoat wagon nossad INV Tho M
groes let out a long and loud yell for tho Presi-
dent. Tho old White House portico echoed
with their cheers. The President hastened Off
upstairs and left the crowd cheering. Long
aftor the last OF tho parade went by crowds OF
negroes remained about the, White House. and
many Of them loft the grounds. They seemed to
prefer the atmosphere inside tho gates.
CanRressuoan UUoIn,nu N.t,t,.ux nj, |