New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-14

the parade lay about the city IN wideiy
scattered pieces. The plan was per
feet in theory. but the great question
was vet to be answered as to whether
it would work. whether piece by piece
for thirteen hours the parts OF the
parade would fall unerringly into place
and keep the column running with I'M
broken unison past the reviewing
stand.
At half-past nine the head of the
parade started at City Hall, and pre-
cisely at half-past ten. on time to
second, it reached the reviewing stand
at Madison Square.
Through the sombre hours OF the
cloudy morning, through the sunlight
Of midday and afternoon. through the
fall of dusk into the darkness of night,
rank after rank Of citizenry went by
without break or halt or delay. Rank
after rank Of clean cut young men, OF
sturdy older men, of women ana
cuardsmen they went, demonstrating
the Great Idea, driving it home into
the consciousness of the city and the
country with seemingly endless tier
alton.
II was that endless iteration that
made the parade impressive, even
snectaculsr. imaging in the memories
&c those who saw il, and felt II, more
lasting impression than the circus
naceantrv Of uniformed and float
crowded professions Of former tunes
with lesser ideas TO present. q,
There were skeptics who prophesied
+ the narade would be dull, because II
| would lack color and variety and
beauty. 1t would be simply the pass
/ irc Of ordinary men, without banners
or inscriptions. herded into lines ana
pouring past with uresome same
ness.
Great Idea Marches in Line.
There was a samencss. but after
1 watching II fol- an hour the signih-
canoe Of that samencss began 10
emerge. TIE Great Idea became clear.
Here was day and demonstration
: whom I37. 900 people were just Ameri-
cans. marching IN a united purpose,
millionaire and laboring man IN equai
ranks. one rank as good as another'
each meaning Just as much as any
other meant II was case OF every,
Lodv footing II on the same level ana
the only coors they carried were
American flags. -.
That wa the Great Idea OF tie
raradc. Here is the mechanism OF u.
' il All began at City Hall when Mayo,
Mitchell. General Leonard Wood ana
. Rear Admiral Nathaniel F.. Usher came
down the steps and got into the only
.ro vehicles allowed IN the parade
Those three men were the reviewing
officers. ,
"a squadron Of mounted police closed
about the Mayor carriage, and a ae-
tachmeut of fourteen plainclothes men
from Headquarters formed second
screen outside tho mounted men ~
rac day of intense feeling. there had
been threats Of protest against me
idea Of the parade and no chances
we're TO he taken with what hothcaoS
might do
The MAYORS carriage started. and'
ae il passed through the lanes OF peo.
rio who lined the way. the GORDON OF
rclice along the curb. I'm obedience to
the same orders TO guard inc Mayor
turned their faces toward the people
and kept keen eyes on them until ne
had passed. go.
The head Of tho column turned INTO
Centre Street and thence into Lalay
cite. Work was suspended ma the rae
tories along these streets and cheering
workers thronged tho windows OIL the
eag draped buildings Progress % the
march led past the Tombs. and agains.
tho bars Of the upper tier windows
dressed the faces Of prisoners. Their
hands futtered the enthusiasm that
nrison rules forbade their voices from
uttering.