The Washington herald., 1909-03-05

spectators were On their feet. cheering.
waving handkerchiefs and small flags. and
making a great demonstration This
seemed TO please the President nightly.
and he stood with barred head. smiling
and admiring during the greater part Of
the time the battalions were passing.
similar smile lighted up his features
as the regiment from the Virginia Mill
tary Institute passed. In reality. these
cadets carry themselves quite as well as
those from West Point, and il would take
a most skilled tactician TO see points in
favor of the one OF the other. President
Taft was quite as generous OF his ex-
preston Of good viii toward one school
as the ether. He seemed specially pleased
at the quick stride and perfect alignment
shown BY the boys from the Virginia
school
'Dixie'' Brings a shout
Another incident Of the afternoon that
gave thrin Of pleasure al the Presi-
dents stand was the passing Of the Rich
mond Light Infantry. whose band played
Dixie" for the first time during the aft
eruoon. There were many Southern peo-
pie in the stands. and they made the
welkin ring with their cheers and rebel
YELL
The next Incident out Of the ordinary
vas the approach Of Gov. Hughes,
riding ~ Tie head OF the troops from
New York State. The audience in the
Presidents stand. as well as that in she
stand opposite IN Lafayette Square. gave
Mr. Hughes "a most cordial greeting. 1t
was fsr and away the most vocifercus Of
anything which took place during the
passing Of the parade TIE governor OF
New York was. judged by the applause
accorded him, one Of the big men Of the
nation
President Taft and Vice President Sher-
man both gave the governor q hearty
salute and both bowed 10 him I'm
friendly and afCCtiOnate way "a though
mutual understanding and good viii
prevail between them 10 one will for
set the incident who reads current poll
tics and looks for significant whifs of
the sind which lays the straws Of polIti-
cal destiny.
Strike Pathetic Note,
Another incident almost pathetic in its
UneXpectedness and aptness. caused the
only shadow TO pass over the features Of
the new President during the afternoon
As the band at the head Of the Cincin-
natl Republican Club approached the
stand 1t was drawn out into long forma-
ton and was playing Home. Sweet
Home" When the band came opposite
the President the front rank stopped At
q signal from the leader. and the other
rank marched between. bringing the lire
into close formation. and the players
stood for q few seconds as their instru-
ments sounded the last strains Of the IA
miiiar song
President Taft was visibly affected by
the incident, and there can he no doubt
that his heart, and that Of his wife. re-
sponded 10 the sentiment the band in
tended TO convey to them alone
The plan Of massing the organizations
in close formation which was the idea Of
Gen. J. FrankIin Bell, proved very effective I
both in the appearance Of the men and
in shortening the time for the passing OF
the line. It IS true. probably. that in
dividual organizations do not show To
quite 50 good advantage, but the lire as
a whole Is more symmetrical and more
pleasing from the viewpoint Of the spec
tator.
Weather Il Execrable
The condition Of the weather Yesterday (
was responsible for the slim and uneom- I
fCrtable crowd that gathered in the 4
Presidential stand and that opposite in
Lafayette Square Not more than halr
the seats in either stand were occupied. /
Many ladies bravcd the elements 10 be +
there. and such old war dogs as Gen. (
Nelson A Miles. Gen John NJ Wilson. and