Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1900-07-20

In the south, Of course, Lincoln was
not well thought o t, n there were a
Few sections in the eastwhere he was
not popular. but generally throughout
the north and west the enthusiasm for
him was great. Huge political parades,
With log cabin and rail splitting accom-
paniments. were the order of the day and
night. Seldom, if ever. has more interest
been manifested by h people. But the
one great event that makes this campaign
memorable is that it was the occasion
for the first appearance of the torch
bearing brigade.
The torchlight parade was the result
of a bright thought on the part of a few
political youths in Hartford. Conn. In
February, 1860, Cassius M. Clay visited
the city. and on that occasion the orr
ganization known as the Wide Awakes
~inaugurated what has since become the
most popular feature of all campaigns.
1t consisted OF the adoption OF haf-
uniforms, each member of the marching
club carrying a torch, n the effect of
this innovation proved to be exhilirating
to a degree that can scarcely be appre-
ciaJted at this time.
After the first appearance of the Wide
Awakes in this way the idea spread all
over the country, nd there was scarcely
a town or village of Importance where
hui of Vic Awakes were not formed,
and these torchbearers were in the great
est demand at every political demon
stration.
| THE WIDE AwAKEs.
A writer. of those days has left an
account of the first parade of the Hart
ford Wide Awakes, and this gives some
idea of the ann in which the unique
feature was received. He says:
1.-The scene at this moment was one of
great beauty and interest. The dark
thunder cloud had passed eastward and
was lighted up occasionally by CLEANS
Of 1Ohtrin@ fnV0NinV q little hQokOrn11nn
to the scene. The streets were crowded
by shouting and excited people: thou
sands of torches made the line brilliant
from one end to the other, and the
march was as steady as that OF regular
infantry.
las the Line advanced. cheer after
cheer arose, bands played, .cannons We're
fired and artificial fireworks added beau
tv to the novel scene Such was the
first torchlight parade recorded in his
tory.
The uniform Of the Wide Awakes in
1860 consisted of oilcloth cape. a military
cap. and each member carried an ordin-
airy petroleum torch over his left Shout
der. At first it was ntended to have
the capes of muslin, but as the torches
were extremely crude affairs the burn.
ing oil was continually dropping from
them and this would have quickly Sc
t fire to such flimsy material as muslin
, While the uniform of the private of the
line was simple enough. that of the otfi.
Ger was more elaborate, consisting of ar
l inverness mantle, an overcOat with cape
of enamel cloth and glazed hat.
1t is probable that we shall never
2 know the name of the man in WHOSE
l brain this idea first developed, and thu
fact is certainly one to be regretted, fol
nit would be but just reward to him ii
5 his name could be sent laundering dowr
the ages in the pages of history. ~
all the campaigns innovations. there nave
/ been none that have been more spectac.
ular or sensational. Nothing that has
been responsible for SO much genuine en-
thusiasm.
Ever since the night of the first torch
light parade, therefore, they have beer
marked features of the presidential can
vass. From time to time improvements
n have been made, more attractive illum
inations have been selected or more ex
: pensive uniforms procured, but he pa
rades have been tOrchlight parades TO
all that, and nothing can take from
n Hartford the credit of having invented
and first produced this novelty. .-'