The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-08-29
PAGEANT OF
PATRIOTISM Is, AM. I'M.
NATIONAL GLORY.
Was the Reviewing March Of the He
roes Of '61 at the Grand Il
Encampment.
NOTHING LIKE 1T in HISTORY.
Were Four Hours and q Half Passing
Reviewing stand-Tattered Old
Flags Warmly Greeted

CHICAGO. August 2s.-For four
hours and a half to-day the thinning
ranks Of the Grand Army OF the Re-
public passed In review before their
leaders and before a million spectators
packed In almost solid masses along
the four miles OF the line Of parade. I.
marked the climax OF the thlrty-fourth
annual encampment OF the association
OF veterans, who filled the pages Of his
tory with deeds OF hcroism during the
weary years of the civil war, and was.
accordlngto Commander in Chief Shaw.
the greatest parade since that day in
Washington when the hundreds OF
thousands Of veterans. the most power
tul army on earth. marched in review
70 their final disbandment.
Probably thirty thousand members OF
the army OF veterans took part in the
parade. For exactly four hours and
twenty minutes. most of the time with
ranks almost perfectly aligned, but oc-
slonally faltering under the burden OF
years, they filed past the reviewing
stand on Michigan avenue, saluting as
they marched General Miles, Command
er In Chief Shaw. General Daniel L.
S!ckles and the Spanish minister. Duke
dAtcos.
saluted the Colors.
The latter, who occupied conspicu-
Gus position on the reviewing stand,
salused every American flag as 1t
passed the reviewing stand, taking of
his hat to the colors. II am delighted"
the duke said, with the scene ! have
witnessed here. 1t shows the patriot
Ism OF the American people. And no
other nation but yours would have in
rited the representative OF q conquered
nation to Join In this celebration
Weather conditions were almost
ideal for the parade, wearisome enough
at best for the sllver-haired veterans.
The rays Of the sun were veiled by light
Geecy clouds nearly all day, and even
when unobscured the effect was greatly
tempered by 4 cool breeze which blew
steadily off Lake Michigan. The line
or march, too, was much shorter than
ever before mapped out for the annual
parade. Its entire length not being over
four miles, but notwithstanding this.
here and there 4 veteran. dazed and
exhausted. dropped out of the ranks.
Especially was this true after the le-
viewing stand WIS passed, and many
pathetic scenes were witnessed down
the long stretch OF Michigan avenue
as the veterans fell by the wayside.
Veteran Drops Dead.
One especially sad Incident occurred
to mar in a degree the glory OF the
parade. Charles Beckwith, OF Algon-
sea. Mich. dropped dead as the line
was filing past the corner OF Michigan
avenue and Madison street. The par
ale was halted for moment. the body
OF the veteran who had responded to
the last call was tendeTly removed and
his comrades passed on.
1t was shortly before 1880 4. m. when
the head OF the column started from
the corner OF Michigan avenue aud
Randolph street, and an hour later II
was filing past the reviewing stand.
For hours before that time the side
walks along the line OF march were
packed from curb to wall. the Windows
OF the immense Office buildings gay
with fiutterirg flags and bunting. were
Michigan avenua.g where were erected
the beautiful columns and arches form
Ing the court OF honor. the crowd was
so great that the hundreds OF police had
great difficulty in keeping clear the
line Of march. And during the hours
mat the veterans tramped by this sea
OF humanity roared Its welcome.
Scores Of Famous Officers.
In the grand stand. erected upon the
slope OF the lake front park, near the
Logan monumentgwere gathered scores
OF officers who won their fame in the
civil war. statesmen and diplomats. In
the center box OF the reviewing stand
were Lieutenant General Nelson a.
Miles. representing President McKin-
ley: Commander In Chief Shaw. Cen
e!al Joseph i. Wheeler. General Daniel
z. Sickles. Mayor Harrison. OF Chicago,
and w. \. Harper. To their left were
Acting Governor Warder, Speaker Da-
vld Henderson. OF the House OF Repre-
senta'ives: Bishop FalIows and Senator
Shelby II. Cullom, and TO their right
the Spanish minister. Duke d'Arcns,
with party OF friends. stood an inter-
ested spectator. Warm greetings were
accorded General Miles and the Duke
uArcos us they entered the reviewing
stand. -
Winconsin was given the right OF the
line and as her column came turning
around the corner OF jackson boule-
ward Into the broad sweep OF Michigan
avenue, and with bands PLAYING and
colors flying. the army OF the Tepublic
came marching down, the people SEEM
ed to realize that here at last came the
true pageant OF patriotism. The old
worn out iiutterlng flags that had gone
BEFORE were nothing In themselves. hut
as representatives OF the power that
gave them the glory that they wore
they were everything. Marching he
hind them under colors fresher and
brighter as their own fame must ever
grow with the advancing years. came
the units OF that power In the fighting
men OF mighty race unconquered yes.
terdny by land or sea. In them lay, md
through them came. the force that has
made the nation what II is and what II
VII! be. No matter what might come In
the future the men before them had
made the past n glory that may mellow
but never grow dim, and tho crowd
seeming TO catch these things In n
breath, MS rank after rank the old SOL
diers wheeled into the avenue, went
Wild with enthusiasm.
With Hating Steps.
They cheered, waved their hats and
eheered again until they could cheer no
more.
shortly after passing the reviewing
s1nd' the lihe OF march dlsbanded and