The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1915-10-30

the enfranchised countries, started |
first from the arch at Washington |
square promptly at p. m. Mar
shalled by Rheta Child Dorr, the
charming author of "What Eight Mil
lion Women Want" we were able to
keep step, or at least the semblance
of good time, despite the embarrass-
ment Of riches-two bands within
ear-shot. Under the inspiration of
that shoulder-to-shoulder march, we
could truthfully say that it seemed
no more than fifteen minutes until
we disbanded at Fifty-ninth street,
fifty block all told. Looking at the
crowded avenue, the serried rows
seemed to slope, via dry goods boxes
of course, without break, to the shop
windows, where the more privileged
thousands sat and applauded. Boys
on every lamp post and ledge and
more marchers jamming the side
streets for blocks, awaiting orders to
fall in line. All color everywhere on
the side lines which were also alive
! with waving suffrage banners. Most
inspiring of all, the lofts, balconies
and high windows, where working
| girls, unable to march themselves,
cheered their sisters below.
Our march actually completed in
an hour, we were free to Join the
spectators. Under the wing Of be-
nign policeman, who handled his
throng on the library steps with re-
markable aplonnb, my companion
asked, pointing at the school teach
ers marching by, Doesn't that con-
vert you ?"
Convert ?" he snorted as loudly as
his breeding would permit, "why, my
daughter came down from Albany to
march in this parade"
i And meanwhile, the teachers, some
5000 of them, were swinging along.
"You Trust Us With Your Future
Citizens-why Not the Voter" read
one of black board captions, while an
other stated significantly, eve Have
Proven Our Ability Elsewhere"
Behind them came 5000 young girls
from the Washington Irving High
School and then the children's float
designed by Rose oNeill, originator
of the Kewpies. With KeYpies for
outriders, the children sat on floral
throne, and bore banners asking
'sWky Not Let Mother Vote With
| Father?" tf
Probably orphans, garnered for
the effect" you may say, if you are
a scornful "anti." But, no, here comes
Mrs. John Warbasse, one Of Brook
lyn's most public spirited citizens,
and from her horse she waves greet
ing to one of her five children, who is
on the float. Later still comes a
group of perambulators filed with
rosy checked youngsters and even q
courageous man holding one small
son by the hand and carrying an
other. And then the old ladies-old
as suffrage, with tottering steps but
} eyes glistening over the glorious con-
; trast of the present pageant and its
humble beginning years ago.
And still the od-coning riot of
color-fags, banners, hatbands and
uniforms, with the familiar yellow
everywhere as a background and the
American flag, it's stripes swapping
in the wind, striking out again and
again in the long line. 1t would be
difficult indeed to assemble anywhere
again so many really beautiful wo-
men as those marshals, standard
bearers and symbolic figures, still in
spring beautiful as the winged VIC
tory, despite the chill blasts and their
airy draperies. Mere artificial winter
garden beauties would have looked in
significant, under the test, whereas
women of superb Greek outline, like
Edith Wynne Matthison as New York
state; Mrs. Phillip Boileau, wife OF
the artist, as Victory, and Florence
Noyes, the graceful dancer, as Co
lumbia, were regal. Best Of all, there
was none of the coarse mob spirit
evidenced by the on-lookers, none Of
the personalities and insinuations
which marred the Washington parade
two short years ago. 1t seems con
clusively demonstrated that a vas
throng may train itself to its better
rather than its lower impulses o.
which the "antis" are so terrified
In all the three hours that we watch.
ed, there was not one single remark
Of the Mr.. Bowdle type audible, but
rather a universal conviction. of tn,
overwhelming earnestness of these
women, their fellow citizens.
III Hours paSsed and tn MaUor Mitch.