The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1917-09-05
Leads Procession of Drafted
Men from District of
Columbia
AND
SENATORS IN LINE
Also Many from House of Representa-
tives-Old Timers Say Ceremony Was
Most Impressive in History of Capt.
tails Many Gatherings.


WASHINGTON, Sept. Washington
made an impressive demonstration yes
terdav in honor of the young men of the
capital chosen for the national army |
through the selective draft. President
Wilson led the procession, marching on
foot. Members Of the cabinet walked
at the head of the contingents from
their respective departments of the gov
eminent Nearly the entire membership
of the senate and a heavy majority OF
the house of representatives were in line
! President Wilson and the thousand
odd drafted men from the District OF Co
hmbia got the bulk of the cheering, that
was continuous from the Peace Monu-
ment at the foot of Capitol Hill, where
the parade was formed, to Eighteenth
street, two blocks beyond the White
House, where it was disbanded
Old-timers, many of them surfeited
with ceremonial affairs in the city of
military spectacles, said that the demon
stration was the most impressive they
had ever witnessed here. They recalled
the review Of the Union veterans of the
Y
men participated. They spoke, as the
procession passed, of this or that partic-
laEly striking Inauguration of presi
dent They remembered the vast out
lpourings of sorrowful people at the
funerals of Lincoln, Garfield and Nc
Kinlev They came down TO the days OF
the present war III mentioning the ire
mendous welcomes given the British and
French Missions, with Balfour, Niyiani,
and .Jotire as the popular heroes.
But it was a general expression that
yesterdays affair brought out more OF
the national spirit. produced a greater
feeling of enthusiasm, than anything OF
the kind that had preceded it, at least
III recent years.
All along Pennsylvania avenue, that
highway Of parades, President Wilson
: was cheered with a vim and vigor that
; showed that Washington was for the war
and stood behind the commander in chief
I of the land and naval forces.
| Nearly everybody in that long line OF
lparaders, which took two hours to pass
: the White House reviewing stand, car
e ried flags Most of the tens OF thousands
OF spectators along the route had flags
/ also, and they seemed never to tire OF
7 waving them President Wilson carried
e a small silk Star Spangled Banner. He
was obviously proud and satisfied over
r the success of the demonstration He
h stepped out with a long, quick stride
h that made the mounted police ahead OF
> him urge their horses into a faster pace
} and brought beads OF sweat to the broWS
r of short legged men behind.
l. The members Of the committee OF
citizens who thanked the President wore
j. formal tail coats and silk hats The
d head of the nation was striking figure
y in the simplicity of his attire A short
V blue jacket, white flannel trousers, white
ID canvas shoes, and a straw hat with stiff
1t brim constituted his sartorial make up
ID So fast was his pace that he reached tho
is White House i'll half an hour, something
II OF a record for a mlle-and a half Of
IL procession Of - divisions, which ordina
n rily would have moved slowly At tn,
e White House the President left the line
\ the crowds appauding, and took hi
at place on the reviewing stand erected il
r. front OF the central part of the grounds