Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-07-07
PARADE FOR DEFENSE
GREAT ACHIEVEMENT
FOR ATLANTA SPIRIT
1t Was a Triumph of the CAT
Ianta Spirit" a Triumph for
the American. Flag a Tri-
umph of Patriotic EnthISi-
aSm

On every hand today is heard the
unanimous verdict that the Pre-
paredness Parade on Tuesday not
only was the greatest parade in the
history of the city and the state. but
was the greatest achievement in At
lanta's history.
II was an achievement that proved
beyond the slightest shadow OF
doubt that the famous Atlanta
Spirit is more dominant and power
full today than ever before.
II was an achievement that dem
onstrated, what we of Atlanta have
always known, that Atlanta men and
Atlanta women, as we'll as the men
and women OF our state. yield second
place TO no other city and no other
state in the nation when il comes TO
patriotism and respect for the Amer
lean flag.
II was an achievement that set at
rest all question concerning the
views OF Atlantians and Georgians
toward the great, overwhelming is
sue OF national preparedness which
faces the country today; and set at
rest all question. also. as TO the 10y
atty OF Atlanta's foreign-born citi-
zenship for the land Of their adop-
ton.
II was Atlanta's and Georgia's
greatest parade. their greatest cele-
bration of the birthday of American
independence. their greatest glorifi-
cation of the Stars and Stripes. and
their greatest demonstration in be-
half OF any movement in the ma
tons history.
DISPLAY OF CIVIC PRIDE
And above and beyond all this. 1t
was a display OF citizenship. OF civic
spirit. OF love for Atlanta and for Geor-
sia and for America, that stands with
out a parallel.
Every citizen who marched in the
great parade is immensely glad and
proud today Of his experience. while
the few who did not march are nursing
an ache OF disappointment.
II can be said in behalf OF the latter
Jew that many OF them were taken by
promptly. They figured that this pa
rade, Ike most every other parade.
would be an hour late in getting under
way, and accordingly they took their
time in getting 10 the Capitol, instead
OF being there promptly at $50 o'clock.
As q consequence. they met the pa
rade before they arrived at their va
rious formation points But a good
many were able 20 get into line in their
proper places. while others fell in with
the Citizens OF Georgia" division
Today the men who marched are bet
ter citizens than they were before They
feel a new respect. new reverence, a
new affection, for the flag Of their coun-
try, and they cherish the recollection
.,s-a Fr1~-W N.afr
souls
WOMEN RAPTUROUS.
And today the women who reviewed
the parade are rapturously declaring
that never before have they witnessed
spectacle which so aroused and thrilled
their patriotic enthusiasm, while the lit
tie folk who clustered around their
mothers and watched the marching men
are endowed with a new comprehension
OF the meaning Of the American flag.
In all OF the preparedness parades
that have been held throughout the
country. Atlanta's parade was unique
and different. 1t was a parade without
soldiers. without women and without
children. In other words, il was A
PARADE OF MEN.
The very flower of Atlanta's magnif-
cent citizenship was in that line. There
wasn't slack looking man in the
whole procession. They were men who
marched with their heads held high and
their shoulders erect. That is the kind
OF an American citizen that has made
this nation what II is today-the man
who walks with his head up. and looks
every man in the eve. And that is the
kind OF men Atlanta turned out yester-
day.
BY marching the women and the chill
dren. Atlanta could have .rebled the
number Of people in line, and could have
prolonged the parade for hours. But
Atlanta women. when invited 10 appear
before the general committee and ex-
press their preference. took the posi-
ton that marching for preparedness is
a mans business, just as fighting
would be mems business II we should
get into q war. and that they would
rather stand on the sidewalks with their
children around them and review the
marching men. Just as they would stand