The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1899-09-07
GRAND ARMY IN LINE
Monster Parade of the Veter-
ans at Philadelphia.
REVIEWED BY THE PRESIDENT,
Immense Crowds Throng the Line oi
March-Hundrcds Overcome by the
Crusb-CoIumn was SIX Hours
In Passing IA Given Point.

In Passing n Given Point.
PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 6.-Yester
day was the big day of the Grand Army
encampment, and the city was alive at an
early hour. The presence in the city of
President Mckinley increased the in
terest, and his ride over the route of the
parade aroused the greatest enthusiasm
among the throngs on the streets.
Shortly before o'clock Admira!
Sampson and the captains of his fleet
made formal call upon the president.
Mr.. Mckinley receiving them in the re-
ception room set apart for him during his
stay at the Hotel Walton.
After the greetings were over the
presidential party entered carriages and
started over the route of the parade.
The presidents carriage was drawn by
four richly caparisoned bay horses that
have been shown to advantage at horse
shows in this city and in New YORK
With the president were Mayor Ash
bridge and General Louis Wagner, chair
man Of the G.. A. II. executive committee.
Then came Secretary of War Root
Secretary of Agriculture Wilson, Pro-
fessor Schurman of the Philippine com
bission and Secretaries to the President
J. Addison Porter and G.. b. Cortelyou.
They were followed by Rear Admiral
Sampson, Captain Chadwick of the flag
ship New York and Lieutenant Com
maner Winslow. Admiral SIMPSONS flag
lieutenant
Then came all the other captains of the
north Atlantic squadron, accompanied by
their respective staffs. The q. y. X. re-
.s.... oil Nnfnnlt
tees brought up the rear of the process
sion.
As the president started up Broad
street great wave of cheering was
started that never ceased until the presi-
dent had traversed the entire route of
parade and back again. The stands
along the route were crowded, and il was
an inspiring sight as their occupants
would rise en- masse and cheer the chicl
executive. The heroes of the north At
lantic squadron were not forgotten, and
they also received n generous hand.
The presidential PARTY drove down
Chestnut street past the historic state
house where the nation was born, and
as 1t swept by the president took off his
hat, which was the signal for wild out
burst Of enthusiasm.
The party reached the reviewing stand
ut 1910 o'clock, and the president wait
ed In the rooms of the director of public
works until the head of the procession
teached the stand, when he again made
his appearance before the people.
The arrangements for the parade were
complete in every detail. The head of
Che column moved at 10 o'clock down
Broad street, east side of city hall, to
Market street. to Fourth, to Chestnut, tC
.
dismissed.
The distance covered was five miles
Independence hall was passed during the
march, and caps were lifted and colors
dipped by the veterans.
An interesting feature of the parade
was the chorus of 5000 school children
The children occupied a portion of the
grand stand on the north side of the city
ball and sang patriotic airs as the veter
ans passed.
Post No. /, from Rockford, Ills, the
Oldest post in the Grand Army, headed
the line.
General James w. Latta of this cit.
was chief marshal.
Among the many relics of the civil wa
which appeared in the parade was th
old, time worn and stained flag whicl
foated at the head of the line of the Hi
nois division and at the right of tn
George III. Thomas post, No. 3. Thi
flag was used at General Thomas head
quarters 1t was carried at the right o
line by the Society of the Cumberland i
Chicago at the reception of Genera
Grant on his return from trip aroun
the world,
At no celebration since the centennia
has this city seen the crowds which lin
<hA Al, ,h tlA
passed. The Avenue of Fame, with it
snow white columns and festoons G
bunting and laurel, was the favorit
viewpoint.
From the fronts of the buildings to tn
curb the people were packed in soil
mass, and even breathing was Difficult
AS a result of the crush about 400 mel
women and children were overcome an
taken from the crowd to various hosp
tails.
At the head of each organizatio
marched military bands and drum corp
and as the war SCARED veterans move
proudly asng the streets tumultuous al
plause greeted them, and sea of hanC
kerchefs and small flags waved in az
miration and welcome.
When the Ohio posts appeared, Il
aged paraders became wild with enth
siasm One veteran broke ranks an
standing before his comrades, shoute
''Three cheers for the biggest man {
earth, Major William Mckinley
Ohio
This invitation for cheers was follow,
by n mighty roar, which was echoed M
re-echocd among the spectators f.
blocks.
AS the various posts passed in reyie
she president stood smiling and bowil
and on numerous occasions waved h
hand to the more enthusiastic of Il
marchers. When the torn battle fla
were dipped in salute, he joined in t
applause by clapping his hands.
The campaign for commander in chi
is waxing warm. 1t is one of the fierce
contests that the G. a. II. has been c
gagged in for long time. There are thr
candidates in the feld-Acting Coz
mander In Chief w. G. Johnson of CT
cinnati, Comrade Leo Rassieur of
Louis and Colonel Albert d. Shaw
Waterfowl, n. Y. The friends of ca