Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1917-09-06
PRESIDENT LEADS
NATIONAL ARnYH
Wilson Carries Flag in Demons
tration at Capital.
10000 PERSONS IN LINE
Members of Both Houses Of Congress
and Many Others Honor Drafted
Men-WiIson Says He Would
Like to Go to the Front.


of both houses of congress. high off
cials and diplomats participating, the
national capital paid a farewell trib-
ute to her sons who soon will enter
the National army for service over
seas with the eXpeditionary forces.
The demonstration took the form of
q parade in which the men Of the Sc
lective draft army, led by President
Wilson on foot, and accompanied by
veterans of the blue and gray, soldiers,
sailors and marines, swung up historic
Pennsylvania avenue from the cap
itol past the White House.
President Heads Column.
There were 10000 or 10000 men in
line, including the most splendid mill
tary bands in the world, the most won
derfully drilled regiments, rows on
rows of field guns, machine guns, all
the panoply Of war. with the presi-
dent at the head of the column and
the officers of the cabinet and about
every big personality in our national
government somewhere along the line.
Wilson Carries Flag.
President Wilson - straW-hatted,
Whlte-rousered and bIue-coated-
walked amid his top-hatted, frock-
suited cabincteers. He carried q small
flag and bowed to the cheers.
Uncle Joe Cannon marched with
Champ Clark Confederate veterans
Union veterans and Spanish war vet
Grams contributed their part to the
Fourth-Of-July effect
There were floats with Columbia
and Uncle Sam, school children, Boy
Scouts and Girl Scouts.
Generals there were beyond count
ing, and naval oficprs-aII turning out
in honor Of the selected men.
Senator La Toilette did not march;
neither did Senator GpOnna, but near
~ all the rest of the twelve wilful
men" who fought against a declara-
tion of war were there.
Senate and House to Adjourn.
The senate and house adjourned
early in order to take part, it being
the first time that congress has ever
marched in any popular demonstration.
The senate was led by Senator Sauls-
bury, president pro. tenn, and the
house by Speaker Champ Clark and
Representative Cannon, both of whom
refused to ride.
Senators Nelson and Warren, who
fought on the Union side in the Civil
war, and Senators Martin and Bank
head. who were with the armies of the
Confederacy. marched side by side in
their respective uniforms of blue and
gray Veterans of the Spanish-Ameri-
can war. who were with the senate
delegation were Senators New, Freling-
huysen, WadsWorth, Lewis, Weeks,
Nardaman and Farrell
As the van of the column reached
the white house the president fell out
and entered the reviewing stand. With
him were Count Ishii, special ambas-
sadOr from Japan and the members of
the Japanese mission, the French am
bassador and Nine. JuSerand, the MeXi-
can ambassador and Sonora Bonillas,
and other members of the diplomatic
corps.
Government departments and busi-
ness establishments were closed to
permit employees to either march or
witness the parade. Societies and civic
organizations were represented by
large delegations and floats. The only
banner permitted, with the exception
of the standards distinguishing the va
rious groups, was the Stars and
Stripes
Among the military units represent
ed were The regiment from the officers
reserve camp at Fort Meyer, Va, the
District National Guard. one regiment
of engineers. several battalions of
coast and field artillery and 4 squad
ron of regular cavalry.
The line of march was over ground
made historic as the route taken by
the presidents going to the capitol to
take the oath of office There the great
army of the republic swept by in re-
view. after the Civil war and in recent
months on the occasion of the annual
reunion. marched the survivors of
the gray.
New York Again Ronors Men.
New York, Sept. 5.-For the second
time within a week New York honOred
her fighting men when several thou
sand future soldiers, who were called
to the co1ors under the selective draft
law. paraded up Fifth avenue prepara-
tory to starting for their training
camp.
While the principal parade drew the
greater crowds to Fifth avenue thou
sands of perS rs lined the parade
routes of similar parades in Brooklyn
ana the Bronx.
Wilson Feels Envy.
Washington, Sept. 5.-President Will
son feels genuine envy" for the
drafted men who will go overseas to
fight freedoms battles.
Il should like to be with them on
the fields and in the trenches where
the real battle for the independence of
the United States is to be fought" he
wrote in letter to Thomas L. Chad
bourne, Jr., member of the mayors
committee of national defense of New
York city.