Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-09-04
PRESIDENT HEADS
CAPITALPARADE
Nations Chief Marches in
Honor of New Ma
tional Army
81 THOUSAND MEN IN LINE
WASHINGTON, Sept. 4

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4.
Away from the monument of peace and
up Pennsylvania avenue past the White
House, where he wrote the words of war,
President Wilson today led the first of the
nations drafted men.
Echoing their footballs on this wide. his
toric path, came the tramp of marching men
in nationwide parade. II was the van
guard of Americas first civilian army in
the war TO free the world
Lining the flag-embowered way stood the
soldiers, cheering thousands Of friends and
loved ones for whom the war is waged
Mothers. blinded for the moment by the
pain of parting, saw In the swinging, youth
ful hosts only their children going away
Statesmen, with the butchered map of the
world before their eyes, saw In the march
ing men only the forerunner of millions OF
others. stridng out under orders to go on
until victory Is won.
The 140O drafted boys formed but minor
unit in the train of $1,000 men. But 1t was
in their honor that the long crowd waited
until O'Clock, the hour of starting.
For their inspiration the President
tramped the asphalt of the sun.swept way.
out of respect to them and the task they
have shouldered did the Senators and Con-
gressmen parade. And their feet stamped
another chapter of undying history on the
already deep-ined face of Pennsylvania
avenue.
Long DelOre the nOOr OF nlaTCn luC CrO"uS
packed the space between the store fronts
and the roped-off curb Business shut up
shop for the day at half-past 3. The
great Government departments suspended
war work for the moment and added their
thousan nds to the crowd.
And when at O'Clock the natty. red
coated, white-trousered United States ma
rine bandmen stepped out along the way TO
a swinging marching tune a mighty whole
1o- md.
half-long crowd.
Smiling. bowng. lifting his straw hat ir
response to the cheers Of the throng. the
President marched up the avenue. over his
left shoulder he carried an American flag
In white trousers and blue coat. with springS
step that kept time to the band, the Pres
dent looked like one of those selected fol
service. Behind him came the citizens. the
Senators, congressman. veterans of othel
wars, mounted troops. drafted men ant
bands and flags and floats.
Tottering veterans of both sides of the
Civil War Cabinet members. solons Of th'
Senate and House. soldiers of the war witt
Spain, civilians from Government depart
ments army and navy officers. cavalrymer
on rearing mounts, marines and other fight
ers all Joined in this sOlmen procession
Thirty thousand marchers participated
in the demonstration.
Senator Salisbury marshalled marching
| Senator's and well up to the forefron
| tramped Senators Martin and Bankhea'
| (Confederates) and Senator's Nelson ant
| Warren Union meu), while trailing then
were Spanish-American war Senators.
Speaker Champ Clark. who fought con
| scription, and "Uncle joe Cannon. cree
| and spry despite his years headed the Hous
| delegation.
After marching to the reviewing stan,
| the President left the procession and re
| viewed the thousands he had led