New-York tribune., 1905-03-05
4 NATIONAL PAGEANT.
InauguraJ Parade Presented an I'm
surpassed Spectacle. =.
frRom THE TRIBUNE BUREAU

Washington. March 4.-The inaugural parade,
witnessed by 100000 persons this afternoon, and
composed Of $4,000 men. pronounced by
military observers TO be the most Characteristic
Of national pageants. It's composition in tho
first place. represented weeks OF hard work on
the part Of General Chaffee and his aids. It
was an admirably adjusted congregation Of d.
versif1ed organizations military and civic, dis
trIbuted in consistent and harmonious co-rea-
ton, imparting TO the celebration spectacle
that has never been surpassed in street demon
strations anywhere. The success of the effort
to make the parade typical was shown by the
presence in the column of the cadet bodies from
West Point and Annapolis, the revenue cutter
cadets, the army engineers, signal corps. in
fantry, coast artillery, Porto Rican troops
Philippine Scouts, marines bluejackets, cavalry,
hospital corps. the various branches of the
National Guard from the District of Coiunlbia.
End seventeen States. nine military student
commands. the Indians, the cowboys and some
sixty separate civic bodies from all parts Of the
country.
1t was a parade distinguished for unfinch-
ing adherence TO military decorun and army
regulations. 10 struggling was permitted, close
distances were maintained with commendable
fidelity, and organizations were kept in line
until their dismissal with the review by Gem
eral Ckaf1ee. e mile beyond the Presidents re-
vfefSing stand. Even these usual objects OF
favor--the Governors Of states---were not ex-
ernpt from the restrictions, having been COM
n.aEded in an Italicized paragraph Of General
ChAtfse's order to continue in line with their
respective commands until dismissed There
had been special prohibition. too OF exhibit
movements. and the spectacle did net lack for
quality SIS suca by this baa!shmsat Of Ihe
fanciful, although there must have been q
80.
mense crowd 10 d1i the drum majors berefs of
their former dexterity v4th batons ard stats.
which they were required 10 use orly as pre-
scribed IN drin regulations, ard not throw In
the air"
1t was with more appreciation Of The virtue
Of the prohibition that the spectators, espe-
cially those in the vicinity Of the Presidents s
stand, were relieved from hearing Hail to the
Chief" from every passing band, the only one
permitted to play that air at any time being
the 9th Band Of the artillery corps, which head
ed the column.
MEN OF REGULAR SERVICE.
The principal interest Of the vast majority of
spectators naturally centred in the military
feature OF the procession, and this was con-
centrated periodically in the regular service
division. There was ulgtinted applause along
the line fer such organizations as the natty
gray garbea West Pointers. the boys from An
napoiis, with long overcoats and white leggings;
the Porto Ricans, who surprised everybody by
their trim and jaunty appearance; the Philip
pine scouts, their first appearance at an in
auguration, who marched with an obedience to
the regulations not common in any save true
and tried sodiery; the bueiackets from the Colo
rado and the West Virginia, who had swing
ing cadence and a mien almost equal to veteran
he
martial music from their difficult position on
horseback and the 9th Cavalry, the colored
troops who had gained distinction, along with
the Rough Riders in Santiago
In the regular army division, comprising two
OF the brigades under General r. D. Grant the
most noticeable thing was the evenness Of the
marching and the practical busnesslike ASPECT
Of the men. This quality extended to most of
the National Guard. notably. however. those Of
New-York the District OF Columbia and Penn
sylVania The Virginia National Guardsmen