The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-06-09
ENTHUSIASM.

! Tho last Thursday IN May was Me-
mortal Day. and with the celeb ration
came tina annual parade OF the old
veterans. all tho militia that could be
mustered in town, tina Governor of
Virginia and has very charming and
lovely wife. and carriage OTTER car
raaEe OF prominent women of th., city
1t WAS Very inspiring SIGHT. Tho
streets were lined With people. ana tho
houses, most OF them, were hung with
uaBs and bright colored bunting. The
poTch.S all UP and down the line OF
march wens filled with gay parties OF
people to witness the parade. In fact,
IT was exactly the setting that Henry
tisrr'son has given in "Queed." ono O.
book. and the great Confederate re-
union that actually took place here
eome several years ago
NOW the big reunion Is by no means
go long ago that you cannot Tsnfem-
Dor how the crowd that thronEed
8rankiin Street from one end to the
other cheered and cheered and shout
I'D with sheer happiness and pleasure
over the distinguished men that had
defended their Southland 1t was an
occasion long to live in memory. You
VIII not forget that you were present
ana that you cheered loudly yourself
with warm happiness around your
heart for your own land and your
own people. Memorial Day the parade
was not quite SO long, nor with quite
SO many guests from u distance in
tho city to attend the celebration but
II warmed your heart In just the same
manneS and there was only the faint
est possible sound OF claiming of
hands. Why do you suppose that was?
I have heard 30 many strangers re-
mark on tho lack OF demonstration of
Nichmond people at q arade on Just
ouch occasions
Once. when thers were numbers OF
Visiting militia in town 10 escort the
President OF these United States in
his rogress through the city, tho
members OF those companies were
rather chagrinod over tho fact that
there was so little enthusiasm shown.
They wero fresh from Washington.
where they had attended tho inaugural
OF tho President. and tho cheers and
applause that had followed them from
one end of Pennsylvania Avenue to
tho other were yet in their ears and
they could no. underEtad the lack
OF II in Virginia.
cannot understand IT, either. TO
me tho parade on May so was unusual
~ worthy Of applause The line OF
gTay-coeted veterans IS getting pain
fully thin, and those marching in II
more marked by tho tide OF passing
years. and tho hca-t within you yearns
with affection and pride over tho once
"noyH OF 81" Docs II ever enter your
thoughts. you that stood there silent
Us they passed, that they went into
tho terrible struggle OF the late War
Betwee the States with hearts and
bodies as young as yours, Some OF
them We're younger. and they fought
for tho land that you live IN. and now
they are old and life Is weary walt
ing for those that have parsed before
Prominent women that give ,ireless
nncTGY and much Of their time 10 the
Dc. olopment OF organizations that
mean It gnreat deal to Eichmond and
tho state passed In their carriages.
Occasionally some ono waved or bowed.
but there was no applause. the big
military companies OF Richmond that
rank us 10 high with other citics also
passed with scarcely a faint hurrah or
note OF approval Not that We did not
approvc-my goodness. no! Loudly
would We have complained in moro
ways than ono. had the sight been an
unpleasins one. As some one said OF
horrd old man that would not be
kind and loving even 10 his friends
and relatives: What on earth arc
you Swing 1t for--to he buried in?"
One OF the most Interesting sights OF
the parade was the sight OF tho
Gently organized Boy Scouts OF Ameri-
They marched the long way 20
Hollywood with their faces shining
with boys happlnes and pleasure
at the part they were taking in the
celebration OF Memorial Day Their
souls were allied with the awe Of things
and they marched along with veteran
swing that would have done credit
10 Older military orEs nizations. Besides
them came the st Bcncdictine boys
from tho NEW military school near
town All boys. young boys. think
It was wonderful sight and you
wanted To throw up your hat and
your neighbours hat and the hat OF
the man you did not know and shout
with the pure JOY and pride that 1t
ell belonged To you but YOU didn't
Whore arc our feelings and what
arc our thoughts that we let the Gov.
Hrnor of the state; the defenders oil
our soil and the women ana young
men of our homes pass in review and
we idly fan on comfortable piazza
and carelcssly wave a handkerchief
now and then? What is your blood
and OF whom arc you sprung that you
stand in this wooden silence at such
II time?
q time! BRENT WITT.