The Van Buren press., 1899-09-09
MARCHING MEN IN Blue.
Thirty-Five Thousand Union Vet
erans in the Grand Army Pa
rade at Philadelphia.
REVIEWED BY PRESIDENT A'KIELEY.
Rockford GHa Post, the Veteran
Organization, Headed the Line
The President Greeted with n
Wave of Cheering as He was
Driven Over the Parade Route.

Organization, Headed the Lihe-
The President Greeted with
Wave of Cheering as He was
Driven Over the Parade Route.
Philadelphia, Sept. 6..-Ihis was the
big day of the Grand Army encamp-
ment, and the city was alive at an
early hour. The presence in the city
of President Mckinley, and his drive
over the route of the parade, aroused
the greatest enthusiasm among the
throngs. Admiral Sampson and the
captains of his fleet MADE formal
call upon the president before nine
o'clock, Mr.. Mckinley receiving them
in the reception room set apart for
him at the hotel.
Drive Over the Parade Route.
Afterward the presidential party,
including the admiral and the cap
tains, entered carriages and went over
the route of the parade. The presi-
dents carriage was drawn by four
richly caparisoned bay horses. With
the president were Gov. Stone of Penn
sylvania, Mayor Ashbridge and Gen.
Wagner, chairman of tht &. A. X. ex-
ecutive committee.
A Great Wave of Cheering.
AS the president started up Broad
street, a great wave Gf cheering was
started that never ceased until he had
traversed the entire route of the pa
rade.
The presidential party drove past
the historic statehouse. As he passed,
the president took off his hat. The
party reached the reviewing stand at
10:10 o'clock, and the president waited
in the room of the director of public
works until the head OF The procession
reached the stand, when he again
made his appearance.
Passing In Review.
The head of the procession moved at
ten o'clock and marched five miles.
Independence Hall was passed during
the march, and caps were lifted and
colors dipped by the veterans. \
chorus of 5000 school children as
sembled at the CITY hall and sang pa
triotic songs as the veterans passed.
Rockford Headed the Line.
Post No. l, from Rockford, ILL.,, the
Oldest post in the Grand Army, head
ed the line.
Gen. James w. Latta, of this city,
was chief marshal. Among the relics
of the civil war which appeared in the
parade was the worn and stained flag
which was used at Gen. Thomas head
quarters
Disabled Veterans in Carriages.
Disabled veterans rode in carriages
following the department of Pennsyl-
vania at the end of the line. In order
came the departments of Illinois, Wis
consin, Ohio, New York, Connecticut,
Massachusetts, New Jersey, Maine,
Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont
Potomac, Virginia. North Carolina.
North Dakota, Nebraska, Michigan, Kan
sas, Minnesota, Missouri, Kentucky
West Virginia, Washington, Alaska and
South Dakota. Thirty-fve thousand
men were in line. The Avenue of
Fame with its snow white columns
and festoons of bunting and laurel
was the favorite point.
Enthusiasm Rampant.
Philadelphia, Sept Enthusiasm
was rampant last night. Wherever
President Mckinley went he received
tremendous ovation, particularly at
the Academy of Music, where the
grand army was officially welcomed to
the city and state by Mayor Ashbridge
and Gov. Stone.
An interesting event oil this celebra-
tion was the meeting vi President Nc
Kinley and Gen. Sickles, oe New York.
The general was already seated when
the president arrived, accompanied by
Secretaries Root and Wilson. When
President Mckinley observed the vet
eran he walked toward him and Gen.
Sickles arose from his seat. They
shook hands cordially while the audi
ence, numbering about 5000, made the
house ring with their plaudits.
Addresses OF Welcome.
Addresses of welcome to the G. A. II.
were made by Gov. Stone and Mayor
Ashbridge, to which l.. Terrence, judge
advocate of the grand army, respond
cd.
The president WAS introduced as
"Comrade Mckinley" and addressed
the assemblagc.
Gen. Sickles was n,Nt introduced,
and made a brief address, expressing
his admiration for the nations chief
executive.
A few minutes later the president
party, with Admiral Sampson and his
staff, left the academy Of music and
proceeded 10 Odd Fellows hall, where
President Mckinley was the guest OF
honor at banquet rendered by the
George q. Meade post, the Lafayette
post of New York and the Kingsley
post of Boston.
The distinguished visitors were driy-
en- through the Avenue of Fame,
which, for the first time, they saw il
Illuminated.