The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-01-25
The Wor11an's Page of The T'mimes-DiispatcE
Another Parade

ana on Monday, January 10. Rich
mond celebrated tho birthday of the
South's believes, chicftaln, Robert t.
Lee. There were long accounts In big
Northern paper about the love and
reverence in which the great general
liz held throughout the world, and hon
or to whom honor was duo was rem
dcred on evory side, but 1 know that
you were glad that no comment was
made upon the reception given the
parade In this city on Lees birthday.
II was a thrilling sight, that wavering
iinc of gray-clad veterans, who held
aloft the battle Scared ensigns of their
regiment and marched with brave
tread up Franklin Street in the golden
sunshine of the winter afternoon; hut
they passed between silent hundreds
gathered on the streets.
Could you believe IL If any one told
you? You stood-cverybody you knew
and a great many whom you did not
know-stood and watched the veterans
Of one Of the bloodicst conflicts ever
spread upon the pages or history pass
in review with their tattered flags ana
worn old uniforms without one sound
of applause 1t is AN awful thing to
see written in black and white, but Ii
is true, nevertheless. What Is the mat
ter with Richmond people? 1t cannot
be lack of heart: IT could never be lack
OF pride or reverence for those who
defended their State from invasion: II
surely is not lack OF interest, They
apparently would not miss 1t. They adj
journed meetings. they invited guests
TO gather upon their porches they
called to their children TO hurry, that
tho parade was coming. but they did
not cheer and absolutely In no way,
shape or form evinced the slightest en-
thusiasm or showed any feeling more
than critical standing still TO see
what was 20 be seen.
IT is "A deeply humiliating thing when
such a spirit is made the matter Of
comment and much unfavorablc re-
mark by visitors in the city. and there
is certainly not the smallest excuse for
g. Aren't you thrilled; don't you feel
inspired. or is il only because you have
no particular sensation at all that you
stand idly by and watch the men
who have made history proceed in their
march OF honor to the monument OF
the peerless Lee?
Beside the old soldiers In the pa
rade there were two brilliant companies
OF militia in gay and shining uniform
with big brass bands At their head
and the Governor OF Virginia. the Gov
ernor-elect and many other notables
who left their offices and work of the
day to pay tribute TO the dead hero
and said to their neighbors that II was
a very pretty sight and hurried the
small sons In out OF the danpness
without one sound OF applause or one
cry OF enthusiasm for any of II. II IS
beyond understanding. They will tell
you In every wayeide inn that you stop
At throughout this land about the on
thusiasm and spirit and charm OF Vir-
ginia people and right here ia the cap
ital OF tn cConfcderaCy the city that
was baptized with fire and with blood
whose streets were the scene OF many
nournful procession and whose win
dows looked down upon the beauty and
chivalry OF all the Southland, the peo-
pie to-day gaze carelessly and silent
~ upon such 4 procession and IN mem
DRY OF such q commander!
You mothers and fathers, II YOU will
not cheer yourselves. VIII you not
leach your little boys 10 do sor Please.
please do not let them grow up with
any such ideas OF the repression OF
their feelings that you seem 10 have,
because II Is most unfortunate and
lamcntable trait. II il only happened
once you might say in excuse Of IL.
We'll, the day was rainy" only
few people were out to-day but II Is
over and over and over again. There
are hundreds on the streets. and they
run and race TO be there In time. but
city tho mere playing OF Dixie" Will
send whole restaurant full of staid
and sedate looking men and women IN
TO hand -clapping and cheering. and
even a Joining into the song, but here
in Richmond. the very nucleus OF the
cid civilization. there is no voice raised
in appreciation upon such an coca
sion.
1t is not because OF lack of reverence
and love, because the city was bright
With the flags Of the Confederacy that
i,oated from the tops of the houses
and homes on Monday. think we must
he afraid of the sound of our own
voices Now. Memorial Day is coming
later on, and last year and the year
before that and so many other times
before that, nobody cheered. ut least
only a feeble shout here and there.
entirely unsustained. so do let's try
and make It one of the most stirring
parades in the history of the city. II
YOU are filled with enthusiasm and
plea sure and interest in the scene, do
let the people that are taxing part In
the celebration know about it,
BRENT WITT
The New Baby.