The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-03-06
AMERICAN FLAGS IN
GREAT PROPULSION

can nag Submerged all Otner CoicTs
In to1ay's inaugural parade, and all
other flags and banners were made
significantly subservient in the great
outhurst Of patriotism that permeated
the historic pageant The great DEM
onstration was pregnant with the
ideals and patriotism of a united peo-
"lr, rejecting undivided support OF
tho president IN the hour Of national
peril.
Although more than twerfty thou
sand soldiers. sailors and civilians
were In the line of march, the parade
was much smaller than in other years
This was duo to the fact that most Of
the regulars OF the army are in the
field and tho sailors of the feet are
ut sea. Colorful scenes were few and
subordiratcd to the predominant SOM
her earb of the military and naval
forces represented. IT was truly one
OF the most solemn inaugural process
stons in the history OF the nation. As
the marchers swept up the broad
stretches OF Pennsylvania avenue to
the accompaniment OF martial airs
from scores Of bands the cheers of
tho three hundred thousand specta-
tors r@H""fod the patriotic fervor OF
the throngu.
New Workers Staud Guard.
presence Of trained fighting men al
though fewer than on other similar
occasions, mon VINO have fought In
Nrevlous wars and are ready to fight
FOR the first time since the inaugura-
hon or Abraham Lincoln. a solid line
or soldiery, made UP Of members Of
The Now York national guard. stood
along TIE entire length OF Pennsyl.
! vania avenue from the CAPITOL to the
| Whne House. to give added strength
10 extraordinary precautions against
! harn to the nations leader
In the entire procession. from
Na1or-Eeneral Hugh L. Scott right
through the Inc 20 the last man In
the civic division. there was reflected
the great national purpose for pre-
Paredness. The second grand d.
vision, the largest In the parade. made
10 OF more than 1900 men, included
column after column of seasoned col
t'ers as well as the clear-eved youth
fHl cadets from scores OF military
schools.
Nleing for chief honors among the
cheering thousands were the West
Point cadets In their naty gray uni
forms, the Annapolis cadets In uni
forms OF sober navy blue. the Culver
cadets the Virginia Military Institute
49, - H. tautiS. us TyInInlC S1eD
and soldierly bearing of these grou DIS
particularly seemed TO provoke loud
rSt handclapping from those who
lined the route. The crowds warmed
up. TOO when the grand army men
marched past bearing banners with
'hc inscription, Ready Again For ANY
DUty.' One OF the features OF the
parade was the appearance of the
rSt armored motor battery. New
York national guard, the only bat
terY or It's kind in the military of the
country.
President Wilson smiled continuous
~ AZ the ovation given him and occa.-
tonally lifted his hat Is response to
tho tremendous applause from obser-
walton stands. Completing the route
the president entered the glass case,
surrounded by soldiers. his cabinet and
diplomats of foreign government from
whicA he acknowledged the salutation
OF thousands
A cold biting northwest wind con-
tributed to the discontinue of both
marchers aud spectators today. An
other disagreeahie factor for paraders
was route covered with sand which
The inaugural committee had spread
AL along the avenue earlier In the
day when the pavement was slippery
$
THIS was permitted to remain and
gusts OF wind blew binding sheets OF
aust into the eyes of the paraders
Inauguration day was brought to a
climax tonight with fireworks dis
play on the monument lot. preceded
by concert by the marine band. The
skies were abIaze with almost every
known pyrotechnical device. A fea-
ture was the explosion of $50 bombs ST.
multaaeously Prismatic shells illu-
minated the skies with the light Of day
AS usual inaugural weather started
its quadrenniai agitation In Washing
ton tonight for change In the date
Of Inducing American presidents into
office. A freezing temperature and
n0rthwest gale made life miserable for
spectators and urged marchers In the
parade I" speed. Tonight the inaug-
tral committee urged a constitutional
3rnendment moving the Inauguration
date into the sprinstime. sweet
voung thing who almost froxe, although
wrapped In big blanket, suggested
Fourth OF July AZ a proper date.
BOY Scouts on duty along the inaug-
ural line OF march discovered a new
way Of being helpful today. They en-
listed as hat chasers." The gale which
swept the big parade played havoc
with headgear and sailors hats. army
Sufnhreros cadets caps and silk tiles Of
prominent citizens played tricks among
the fourth story windows OF Pennsyl
var'a avenue. The only safe headgear
IN the parade was tall bearskin at
fair worn by separate military COM
pany secured by chin strap.
It was had day for acrobatic drum
ma iors, The inaugural committee
barred all antics. and freak exhibitions
on the line of march and the small
boys pride and JOY walked through
he march with. batons solemnly
slowed under their arms
Dark and lowering clouds which
threatened day of gloom were dis
PEELED by ii burst Of glittering sunlig ut.
j. st as President Wilson began his
inaugural speech. The president lifted
his hat to the rays and the crowded
Capitol piazza rheercd.
The Right Kind of Immigration.
The spirit of the Inauguration was
well exemplided by 100 naturaiixed
Poles, who marched In the parade. Each
carried huge American Gag on
staff surmoupted by bronze eagle.
in the center Of the group was carried
big banner inscribed america is
our country and our children's country.
We H~H ready to die for the land OF our
adoption"