Evening star., 1909-09-11
TRATN OF 0WW DRYDEN TROPHY TAFT REVIEWS DO ON TIE TABLET NAY
Proven at o. | !
to and on at
mMe Big h
I
Second d G
MM
TAFT REVIEWS {. 4. R.
Veterans March Through
Streets of Beverly
ONE PROUD DAY FOR TOWN
Buildings Gaudily Clad With
Variegated Bunting.
OLD, SOLDIERS IN THEIR GLORY
Free Luncheon for All in Parade.
President Cynosure Of
All Eyes.

Special Dispatch to The star.
BEVERLY, Mass, September IL
Never, except at the time Of the Declafa-
ton OF Independence and the enancipa-
tion proclamation, has Beverly been so
worked up and excited as she Is today,
decked out resplendently in the gaudiest
dress of red. white and blue ever seen
north OF Boston, and feverish with en-
thusiasm over the most eagerly anttci-
pated event Of her whole history, the re-
view OF the Grand Army parade by
william Howard Taft, President Of the
United States.
Beverly likes to roll that sentence over
to herself. She deems 1t proper to the
occasion that nothing less than diction
Of the most impressive sonorousness be
employed.
The news last winter that she was
chosen as the summer capital Of the
nation: the very arrival Of the Presi-
dent and the comet-like trail OF digni-
taries, large and small. which that COM
ing has drawn after It; the executive
decision Of the administration that next
year the little north shore city would
once more enjoy the dignity OF her
present prestige; all these things pale
into insignificance before the glory Of
today's joy. It is a fact. too. that with
in the remembrance Of most of her in
habitants this was to be the biggest
day in Beverly's whole history.
Essex County Veterans Parade.
Looked at from a cold. external point
Of view, today, at the summer capi-
tai. was merely the annual parade OF
the Essex county posts OF the Grand
Army Of the Republic. reviewed by
President Taft and Gov. Draper Of Mas
sachusetts. That's all. But to the
citizens Of Beverly and the 1900 vet
Grams in line 1t is deal more than
that.
making the day what it is. The first
is in the Grand Army itself. AS soon
as the G. A. r. learned last spring that
the President would be in Beverly at the
time of Its annual parade 1t started maxi
ing plans for the biggest turnout of
veterans ever held In Essex county.
Men were mustered from far and near.
Those who could not be reached yolun-
teered. most OF them Of their own ac-
cord.
to suit the Presidents convenience and
all the arrangements finally made, the
invitation to the commander-in-chief OF
the army and navy Of the United States
was given. It was declined.
Secretary Carpenter said that Mr.. Taft
was going to attend no functions of any
sort during his whole stay on the north
shore. The Grand Army felt pretty bad
about Il. for 1t did seem as though the
representative OF the nation. whose unity
they had fought to preserve, could spare
q brief half hour Of his time in accepting
what was to them the most heartfelt
token OF respect and honor which they
had to offer.
old men talked and worried. And at last,
so great was their sincerity. the President
gave in.
Town Is Gaudy With Color.
No happier town existed on the map
than Beverly today. It's q big day and
the town has turned herself inside out to
show the President what she can do In
the way OF enthusiasm.
Every public building and store in the
city has been hidden behind masses Of
naks and draperies
Cabot street is very historical. but It
never could have been noted for the
beauty of its fianking architecture. Now,
however, 1t has been transformed. and
Of red. white and blue. which flashes so
giddily that Dame Beverly is almost
ashamed Of her gaudy appearance. Ger
tain 1t Is that no city OF her size could
decorate herself more elaborately and
more profusely.
Dripping skies and wet pavements had
no appreciable effect on the ever-increas-
ing number OF black felt-hatted and blue
coated Grand Army veterans which every
train and every trolley brought into the
summer capital, beginning almost with
sunrise. Over the town they swarmed.
these old men. some of them scarcely able
to stand erect, but all OF them trying with
all that was in them.
The first mecca Of their pilgrimage was
always Post 50 of the G. A. R., primarily
to meet their old comrades, and secon-
darby to see If the rumor was true that
free luncheon would be served. Hap
pity, they found that II was, and then
they started out to do the town. A few
OF. those old military men went bravely
of in the direction Of the summer White
House on Burgess point.
After the luncheon, served In the Grand
Army Post Hall for all those who were
going to march In lire. there was delight
full loafing around with ones best friend
of the Gettysburg campaign, for the pa
rade was not scheduled to form at the
railway station until 2 o'clock.
President Reviewer.
At $3.50 the event Of forty years began
the march by the President as he stood
reviewing stand In front of the city hall.
Gov Draper Of Massachusetts, was there.
too, and Representatives Roberts and
Gardner, to say nothing OF other govern
ment and military officers. But the gov
ernor and his fellows might just as well
have saved themselves the trouble of COM
ing to Beverly at all. for there was scarce
an eye there that was capable of seeing
anything but the person of Mr.. Taft.
The President wasn't reviewing the
Grand Army so much as the veterans
u,ere revie wing the President