The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-05-31

 yloorny clouds which for time threat ened showers. yesterdays Memorlal Oav paraoe and the out-turnlng Whlcn witnessed 1t was probably the largest In the history of the city, and httlng- ly marked the 50th anniversary or the War of the Rebellion.
 Despite the depradations of death ln the ranks of the men who fought TOT the North in that great struggle, the number of G. A. R. men marcnIns yesterday was as large or larger than the G. A. R. contingent in any or the parades during several years
 As they passed along the me oI march the veterans were greeted With enthus sastic applause by the heavy crowds which lined the streets along the entire route Stirred by the mem cries evoked by Memorial Day, the veterans marched with the vigor and enthusiasm of youth and kept step as nicely as they did 50 years ago when starting for the front.
 Inst as the parade was entering Sea side Park, a light shower began, but it let ur as quickly as 1t had started and for the rest Of the aIternoon liie weather was all that could be deslreu. Sitting erect on handsome charg- CT, Superintendent of Police Eugene Birming ngham headed the platoon Of police at the front of the parade. The officers marched splendidly, a tribute
  been putting In at drills for several months.
 The schoolboys, marshaled by liar vey C. Went, attracted lots of atten- lion for their excellent marching, ana were liberally applauded by the on lockers. The Boys Brigade, in uni !orrn, also attracted much favorable comment.
 A HLtlng innovation in this years paraoe took place at Seaside Park, where the G. A R men dropped out If the procession at Linden and Park avenues, and then reviewed the pa rade At the conclusion of the pa rade, the old soldiers were served with an excellent supper at the Masonic banquet hall. by General Silliman Chapter, Sons of the American Revo- lution The militiamen who marched in the procession were provided with supper by the members of Sheridan Circle, Ladies of the G. A. R.
 At the exercises at the, park. an ex- cellent impression was made by the recital in unison of Lincolns Gettys- burg address, by 20 girls of the eighth grade, Shelton school. drilled by Prin- cipal Warren w. Porter, a prominent G. A R. Man. A number of school children rendered several appropriate song selections, in which they had been drilled by Miss Cora M. Purvi- ance, supervisor of singing in the pub lie schools
 In addition to the usual floral deco rations which were provided for the Soldiers and Sailers' monument, the boys of Barnum school contributed a handsome wreath which was placed on the monument amid cheers.
 Miss Fanny Crosby, the blind poet ess. contributed an original poem for the occasion, which was read by the adjutant. The poem was as fol- lows:
 We greet all with hearty cheers
 Our post the Elias Howe. We bring laurel wreath of fame, To crown each manly brow. While Der our heads the grand old Is floating in the air, We clasp the hand of those we love- The hands that placed it there. The waves of Time have borne you
 back
 To eighteen sixty-one, When discord wove it's cruel web,
 And war and strife begun. Twas yours to watch the smothered flame
 Of keen resentement's wake, With firm resolve to do its worst The bond of peace to break. You saw our nation draped in gloom, Our Union rent in twain; A rebel host it's work had done.- To stay its course was vain. Fort Sumpter was the first to feel A traitors vengeful blow; And in return you promptly hurled Defiance on the foe.
 And when our flag reyiled and spurned
 ed
 Was trampled in the dust, You heard within a voice that said Fear not. your cause is just" And looking up to Him who reigns In majesty on high,
 You promised and you kept your
 word
 To conquer or to die. You had a friend, a generous friend, A hero brave and true, And in the silent hour of night
 He knelt and prayed for you. That friend, our martyred president, Whose loss we all regret; His brief address at Gettysburg
 We hold as sacred yet. We venerate your honored name, Dear Post Elias Howe! The lives you gave so freely then
 You'd give as freely now. Der many a dark and hopeless hour Your courage still prevailed With giant strength you bore the You fell, but never failed. And though your deeds of noble
 worth
 Our hearts can ne'er repay, We'll rally round and hail you still, On each Memorial Day. We'll twine for you at early morn The sweetest flowers that grow, And then in tears recall the scenes Of fifty years ago.
 The address at the monument was delivered by Commander John H. Neff Then the parade formed again and marched back into the center of the city. passing the City Hall, where it was reviewed by the Mayor and off, cials.
 Order of Parade.
 Following is the order of the parade: Police escort: Superintendent Flu gene Birmingham in command. Cap tains Anderson, Redgate and Began. Sergeants Coley, Suckley, Sanger, O'Connel1. Blansfeld, Hazel, O'Leary, Prout and five platoons of police.
 American Band.
 Grand Marshal,
 Henry J. Seeley.
 Chief of Staff: Col. John H. Wade.
 Special Couriers.
 R. A. DeWolfe, P. H. McGuire J. Howard Lee. and A. H. Buell..
 Aides-de-Camp.
 Geo. E. Betts, NJ. M. Downer Geo. D. Phillips, Fayette c. Clark, Lon P. Bristol, Prof. L.. B. Matthias, J. F. Wright. M. D., Lieut. Walter 8tapleton, Sergt. Fred Munson, Vim. ~ Downs, Walter Moore, Thos. Me Cool. Col. T. J. Murphy, Lieut.. F. J.