Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1917-04-05
Greatest Patriotic Demon
stration in the History of
the State Takes Place,
With Thousands in the
Parade.
PATRIOTISM STIRS
WHOLE POPULATION
Determined Men and Loyal
Women March Through
the City's Streets and Pa
triotic Exercises Are Held
at the State Capitol.

1daho's capital fittingly demonstrat-
ed it's loyalty and patriotism for coun-
try and flag Wednesday night in q
monster parade that taxed the capa-
city of the business district. 1t left
the distinct impression there is no
division among loyal Americans as to
where they stand in the hour of crisis
with Germany. Fully $500 people
marched in the parade and many
thousands more stood in deep ranks
along the line of march to witness it,.
The demonstration was the la.gest of
its kind ever held in Idaho or Boise.
The American flag and national colors
were in evidence on all sides and when
the parade was in motion it had the
appearance of a great, rolling sea Of
the Stars and Stripes. patriotic rally
and mass meeting was held in front
of and on the steps Of the state capi-
tol after the parade broke up.
Deep emotion stirred in the breast of
every citizen.
GERMAN AMERICANS LOYAL.
The parade was conspicuous for
many things, not the least of which
was the enthusiasm shown by large
percentage of American citizens of
German descent, or German Ameri-
cans. All doubt as to the loyalty Of
those formerly of the German Father
land was removed by their outspoken
determination to prove to their fell
low countrymen they are for the coun-
try of their adoption first, last and al
ways. Another feature was the ap-
pearance of many other citizens Of
foreign birth marching in sections and
carrying banners declaring to the
world their loyal utilization with the
nation of their adoption.
WAS A SOLEMN SPECTACLE.
While there was some hilarity ex-
hibited, the rattle of giant firecrack-
ers, the flare of red lights and the
sparkle of other fireworks, the dem
onstration was on the whole solemn
ly carried out, the marchcrs and by
ISLANDERS being thoroughly alive to the
seriousness of the action the country
is to take !n entering the world
war. Little children marched side by
side with gray-haired veterans Of
other wars; women, including moth
ers, wives, sweethearts and sisters,
marched four abreast down the street
carrying flags. Cripples were there in
me one Oh WnOIn, pdralyZed IN ms
lower limbs. cranked with his arms
his chair along the line OF march.
DEMONSTRATION OF CITIZENS.
The parade was demonstration Of
citizens rather than the military forces
OF the city and while the cause was
for the backing of the country at war,
the entire event was free of rancor or
OF demonstrations of hatred In fact,
there repeatedly appeared in the line
OF march banners stating that in the
war the United States will wage with
tho allies for humanity and civiliza-
tion there is no hatred toward the
German people. but rather their lead
ers should be eXterminated.
From the time the parade started to
move at Sixth end Main street, until
the last division had disbanded, one
hour and three-quarters had passed.
The parade tool; just 40 minutes to
pass any given point on the line OF
march. It's sections were made UP of
social, civic and fratornal organiza-