The Colorado statesman. [volume] (Denver, Colo.) 1895-1961, 1905-09-09

Denver, Colo, Sept. IA mighty
anthem was sung to the glory of the
men who saved the flag. from the
great throng that wedged into the
heart of Denver yesterday morning
This parade of the G. A. r. encamp'
ment will be written in history as the
one that loosened the hearts of the
Queen City and the Centennial State
until the mountains re-echoed the
songs of battle and the cheers Of the
multitude, that swelled forth for more
than five hours. 1t will be written OF
in years to come as the one that had
no flaw; the grand parade that con.
tanned more people in given space
than any yet held, and that called
forth a spirit of enthusiasm that has
not been witnessed by the veterans OF
the war since the days when their vic
tories were fresh in the hearts of the
Union.
Denver, holding for the day almost
as many more as its normal popula-
ton, did magnificently. 1t lhonored
the soldiers signally by giving them
the full freedom of the streets; its
people showered upon them flowers in
abundance and in every way gave them
true western welcome.
without a moments delay, without
a single break in the lines, the holi.
day throng behaving admirably, with.
out an accident of any kind, the pa
rade was a pronounced success.
Praise for the days triumph is due
not one but many. George w. Cook,
, chairman of the executive committee
was the hero of the hour, as he has
been of the whole encampment, and
with him are the heads of his staff and
Grand Army of the Republics local
committee. The mayor and police force
can not be given too much credit.
No city has ever had such a holiday
appearance. 1t was colored as with a
giant brush in the national colors
Flags and streamers and festoons were
everywhere. The city was at its best
Throughout every portion Of the dis
trict embraced in the parade the side
walks were packed and the buildings
were alive. Never anything approach
ing the scenes on the main streets has
been seen here, and it will be long
time before they can be duplicated
The Grand Army of the Republic was
signally honored.
The extent of the parade is quite ac-
curately summarized, as follows:
Number of veterans in line, 1880.
Number of persons witnessing pa
rade, 125,000.
Number of bands in parade, 30.
Number of drum corps in parade so.
Length of parade. miles.
Time for parade to pass given point,
hours and minutes.
Length of line of march, 2R miles.
Largest department in line. Kansas,
with 5000.
Smallest department in line, Florida,
with 5.
The parade started promptly at 10
o'clock. An hour and five minutes
later the chief of police and his Gordon
stepped from Broadway into Tie front
of the reviewing stand. And a min
ute later Commander-in-C King
and his staff were up and had dis
mounted and Joined the distinguished
| gathering of soldiers and civilians IL
the stand. The flag draped in mem
DRY of the dead commander, was
placed in the center of the stand.
And the march past began in pres
ence of the chief executive of the state
and the head officer of the city, the
commander of the department of the
Colorado and his staff in full uniform
and the citizens of Denver who have
been prominent in aiding the work OF
the local committees, and their ladies'
Colonel George e. Randolph, grand
marshal of the day. mounted and young
again, chosen for the office by reason
of his record on the field of battle, had
not a trying office. EverytL .lg had
| been arranged beforehand so perfectly
| that the machine was automatic.
The grand stand held 5000 people
1t took up the magnificent chorus Of
approval that sounded far up from
Larimer street and cheered and
cheered, and then sang.
From the beginning the soldiers bore
the trophies of the march. They were
laden at the beginning with flowers
If Denver citizens were too lavish al
the outset they could not be blamed
reminder of Denver's gratitude, how
might have been.
Illinois, claiming Grant and other he
roes of the war, had first place. The
place goes by seniority of posts; but
this state was entitled to the honor
perhaps for other reasons. In mum
bers =. was marvellous and the posts
looked splendid.
Bands there were in plenty. Music
made the air lively with melody. "Johr
Browns Body" and all the famous airs
of the war and after sounded sweet as
ever to the men on parade. The ole
Deadwood stage coach brought up the
rear Of the state with the veterans who
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