The Detroit times., 1908-06-17
|tTERANs MAKE A
FINE SHOWING
IN PARADE
tNcLupINo The ESCORT NEARLY
1000 MEN ARE IN LlNE-AMeu-
LANcEs STATIONED ALONG
LINE OF MARCH.

Through streets gay with the ma
z tional colors. Tapping and swaying in
the summer breeze. some LOO veter-
ans OF the civil war, a scattered rem
i uant of the gallant host that went TO
the front from Michigan and adjoin-
+, 1nx states i'm '6l. tramped Wednesday
afternoon, headed by an imposing es-
cort. old Glory Haunted it's folds
proudly al close intervals down the
line OF blue. and stirring martial
strains Of fife and drum. mingled with
4 the blare OF brass, inspiring marchers
and watchers alike with patriotic rev
\ erence for the national banners and
the brave boys who fought for II. In
Guiding the escort more than 1000
men were In line
AT the head of the column rode Po-
lice Capt. John T. Spillane and two
pfatocns of mounted police, followed
b. Brig.-Gen. c. A. Coolidge. chief
marshal OF the parade. and his aides.
Then came Gov. Warner and stan, the
4 Detroit Light guard, the Detroit Light
infantry and troop b, of the local
volunteer cavalry.
The Grand Army division was led
X by the Michigan Post. Next in line
Y were the o. N. Poe and the Fairbanks
posts, both OF Detroit. and next the
200 delegates to the encamp-
ment. representing every section
4 or the state. Following the delegates
were Grand Army posts from Pontiac.
8 Flint. Wayne. and other towns out In
4 the state, and some OF them made
REMARKABLY good showing.
Detroit post. G. A. r.. one OF the
most famous in the country, brought
= up ia the rear. the members choosing
this position SO that they might have
plenty of room for their fancy evolu-
tons, which excited wonder and ap-
plause all along the line OF march,
which was from the Grand Circus
down Woodward TO Jefferson, 10 Beau
/, bien. TO Congress and thence to the
Light infantry armory, where the en-
\ campment again went into session.
Weather conditions were ideal FOR
The parade. The sun was warm, but
m east breeze served TO counterfeit
\ 1fs effects. Ambulances were sta
tioned at frequent intervals along the
! line, with doctors in charge 10 render
aid In case their services were need
4 ed.
The officers declare that there Is no
possibility of this, however, as the
rules OF the Grand Army prevent any
action savoring Of politics. That the
speech has hurt Taft among the
Grand Army men, at least among
those In attendance at the conven7
ton. Is quite apparent, yet there are
many who defend IL and refuse to
regard Taft's blunt references TO
Grant early life as an intentional ar
front to his memory.
IF Grant was able by his strength
\ OF will to overcome early weaknesses
and rise TO the high position he finally
nttained IL was all the more credit TO
him and believe that is the way Taft
looked at it," said G.. A. r. officer In
The Normandie, Wednesday
Ladies OF the Woman's Relief Corps
and the ladies of the G. A. r.. who are
also In convention here. witnessed the
3 parade from a reviewing stand on
Woodward-ave. just in front of the
Palmer fountain. Here also several
!. old soldiers who were unable to stand
the strain OF the march were accom-
modated.
The opening business session OF the
4 encampment was held In Light Infan-
try armory Wednesday morning. when
reports were received from the vari-
GUS oflcers. Department Commander
>Jibb. OF Adrian. presided.
Secretary OF War Taft's Memorial
day.speech at Grants tomb has been
y q subject OF much discussion among
the veterans ever since the encamp-
t ment began and there have been ru-
mors TO the effect that the encamp-
ment might take Official cognizance
7 OF It.
IA The election Of officers may be made
= special order for Thursday morning
at this afternoons session The fight
for commander seems to be between
Parker and Foote. with the odds a
tribe In favor OF the former Detroit
veterans have started a boom for Capt
John T. Spillane for commander in
Y 1909, and II has assumed quite pre-
tentious proportions
The Ladies' of tfre~G. A X. and the
Woman's Relief Corps held business
sessions In the fuller and Cadillac re-
y Bpectively, Wednesday morning.