Connecticut western news., 1899-09-07
VETERANS GREAT DAY.
Philadelphia Overf1ows With
 Enthusiasm.
OVATIONS TO THE PRESIDENT.

Mir. Mckinley Reviews Monster
 Parade, Inspects War Vessels and
 Makes n speech-Other Features oi
 the Celebration.
 Philadelphia, Sept. 6.-Yesterday was the big day of the Grand Army en- campment, 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. - The arrangements for the parade were complete in every detail. 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 q portion of the grand stand on the north side of the city hall and sang patriotic airs as the veter- ans passed.
 Post No. 1, from Rockford, Ills, the oldect post in the Grand Army, headed the line. General James w. Latta of this cIty was chief marshal.
 Among the many relics of the civil war which appeared in the parade was the old, time worn and stained flag which foated at the head of the line of the Illi- !. nois division and at the right of the George II. Thomas post, No. 5. This flag was used at General Thomas head quarters. 1t was carried at the right of line by the Society of the Cumberland in Chicago at the reception of General Grant on his return from a trip around the world.
 At no celebration since the centennial has this city seen the crowds which lined the streets along which the veterans passed. The Avenue of Fame, with its snow white columns and festoons of bunting and laurel, was the favorite viewpoint. From the fronts of the buildings to the curb the people were packed in a solid mass, and even breath ing was difficult. As result of the crush about 400 men, women and chil- dren were overcome and taken from the crowd to various hospitals.
 Reviewing the Parade.
 With President Mckinley and Mayor Ashbrdge there Were on the reviewing stand Rear AdmiraI Melville, Rear Ad- miral w. T. Sampson. Captain F. E. Chadwick, chief of staff; Lieutenant Commander c. McR. Winslow, flag lieu tenant, and Lieutenant k. l.. Bennett flag secretary; Captain II. c. Taylor of the Indiana, Captain c. D. Sigsbee of the Texas, Captain c. J. Train of the Massachusetts, Fleet Paymaster J. Eos ter, Fleet Surgeon F. Fitzsimmons, Fleet Engineer w. B. Bayley, Pay Inspector J. NJ. Hobbs, Secretary of War Elihu Root, Secretary of Agriculture James F. Wilson, Jacob G. Schurman of the Phil ippines commission, the secretary to the president, J. A. Porter, and the assist. ant secretary, George B. Cortelyou.
 The parade was six hours and ten min utss in passing the reviewing stand. After portion of the department of Pennsylvania had passed, those veterans bringing up the rear. the president left to visit Admiral SampSon's fleet, Governor Stone reviewing the remainder of the procession.
 The visit of the president to the squad ron proved 10 be tine greatest marine spectacle ever seen here. It was the in- tention to have Mir. Mckinley visit only the New York but he grew SO en- thusiastic over the great fighters that he suddenly made up his mind to inspect all of them. He visited the flagship New York, cruiser Brooklyn and the battle ships Indiana, Massachusetts and Texas 1t was his intention to also visit the cruiser Detroit, but he was unable to do so on account of lack of time, There was almost continuous roaring of guns during the 1h hours that it took to in. spect the vessels. In all 462 guns were fired by the squadron in presidential sa- lutes.
 Enthusiasm was rampant last night. Wherever President Mckinley appeared he received tremendous ovation. par ticularly at the Academy of Music. where the Grand Army was officially welcomed to the city and state by Mayor Ashbridgc and Governor Stone.
 Admiral Sampson and his staff were among the first to arrive. The naval hero was yociferously cheered and when later in the evening he was introduced by General Wagner, chairman of the meet ing, the ovation was repeated.
 Addresses of welcome to the G. A. R. were made by Governor Stone and May or Ashbridge, to which l.. Terrence, judge advocate of the Grand Army, re- sponded.
 The Presidents Speech.
 The president was introduced as Com rade" Mckinley. He said:
 "It has given me great pleasure to be associated with you today. I have been deeply touched by many of the scenes which all of us have witnessed. With the joyous side of the glad reunion of old comrades who fought side by side in q common cause and for q common country there is the other sad side, that so many of our comrades who two years ago marched proudly with you through the city of Buffalo are no longer in the ranks.
 '"ThG circle is narrowing. As years roll on one after another is not present at our reunions, but accouQted for. They have gone to join the great majority of our comrades who sleep tonight beneath the low green tent whose curtains never .N,ttx r1