Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1917-10-04

NAnS Nn.S0A'DSh NAAAAS 8AVS-
of benevolent despots. ~
, PROGRESS OF DEMOCRACY.
Eighteen magnificent floats glided
majestically along the streets, convey
ing by allegorical picture and de-
sign the progress Of democracy as It
has been marching down the ages in
measured tread, hating at times, at
times tottering under the bitter blows
Of autocracy. but ever triumphant and
forging ahead. s.~ ..fa.i. i..5..
The uneasiness of crowned heads,
the birth OF Switzerland, the storm
ing of the Bastile during the French
revolution, the Boston tea party. the
signing OF the Declaration of Inde-
pendence, were shown in succession
by artistic designs of the floats. to-
gether with many other spectacular
incidents which have become mile
posts in the forward march of democ-
racy. = .sn rA9, ~
Dawn Of New Era. .rsa
King Ak-Sar-Ben XXIrI, who came
proudly seated on the last and most
imposing float to receive the keys to
the city, was a most democratic king.
His very throne itself was perched
upon an ancient crown, thus symbol
izing the ripping asunder Of the
ancient autocracies and the rising of
new day and new era upon the
ruins of the old.
Tens of thousands, scores of thou-
sands, yes, hundreds Of thousands, OF
the loyal subjects OF the realm of
Quivera packed the sidewalks for dis
tances OF twenty, thirty, forty and
fifty city blocks, eager to get the best
possible view of this triumphal entry
of the new king, a king of democracy.
king who entered the city, not
stained with the blood of his subjects,
but beaming with a reflection OF the
good will his loyal subjects bear TO
the king of the great realm OF eternal
democrccy. f& , .4,.
Carnival Helps Msrrymaking.
For many days the subjects had
been crowding into the city, eager for
this great night. For many days and
nights they have been amusing them
selves. at the great, Kings Highway,
or carnival, which his majesty sent
forward in advance to amuse his
people and aid in the merrymaking--
the 1nerrymaking which constitutes
the festivities attending his coming
and his coronation. r.t-'e IS
And now, when the night arrived
for him to enter his great city, these
people forsook the carnival and
packed the sidewalks along the
mighty thoroughfare known as Six
teenth street, the highway known as
Farnam. street, the broad, smooth
pike know by the familiar name OF
Harvey, and many other thorough
Fares,, where they had been told in ad-
vance the regal procession would
travel. " - & >, tf
By dark people began to. select
choice PLACES on the, streets and post
themselves there solidly. Fathers, held
babies in one position for hours in
order that they might occupy the
point of vantage when the great one
should come Automobiles were
lriver1 to fayorite streets as early as
o'clock and parked there, securely
ocked with big padlocks, so that the
amilies might come later in the eve
ling and occupy the seats where they
night get the best possible view Of
he king and his great procession.
Crowds Appear Early. %,
Steel cables, literally miles Of cable.
stretched taut a few feet above the
:urbstones, held. the. mighty jam Of
humanity. back from the danger of
he streets. By 7 o'clock, an hour be-
ore the parade was in sight, the,
teel cables strained with the weight
II masses of humanity, as, they sawed 5
md tugged at their cast iron supports.
Every balcony hung heavy with hui
nanity. Every skyscraper revealed
rom hundred windows the heads
u thousands of spectators. Every
oof was black with the crowds.
At . o'clock the northern sky was
uddenly afame. and at Sixteenth
nd Cunning streets the advance
oats rounded into view = lESF
The crashing, smashing notes of
1any bands smote the ears of the
and the clanking of hoofs
ouid be heard from a cavaleade Of
orses. - g -
Police Clear the Way. 1
Chief of Police Henry w. Dunn
nd a great troop of mounted police
anne first clearing the streets and
liaking. way for the procession.
anne then the governors, twelve gov
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