Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-04-06
Continued From First Pagel
Scene is Brilliant

Scene is Brilliant
1t was one of the most remarkable
meetings in the history of the city.
The brilliant scene within the hall was
in sharp contrast with the weather
outside. Thousands of waving flags
festooned from the ceiling and hung
from the walls and the uniformed men
of the Governors troop and the Eighth
Regiment distributing flags among the
audience lent a martial air to the
scene. BY 1880 almost every seat was
taken and still the people continued
to stream in, while the big Bethlehem
Steel Company band played America"
Rally Round the Flag" Dixie" and
other patriotic airs, drowning for the
moment the roar of the rain as it fell
in laundering sheets upon the roof of
the building. The thrill of an unusual
occasion was in the air. Time and
time again as the band swung from
one war tune to another and q stand
ard bearer in the rear at intervals
waved in unison large silk American
flag the audience broke into whrl-
wind of spontaneous applause. Yet,
withaL it was no fiamboyant, holiday,
"hurrah for the American flag" cheer
for the sake of cheering crowd that
was gathered to hear Mr.. Gerard's
message. One was impressed with the
quiet, earnest, determined almost
sembled. They gave every indication of
fully comprehending the seriousness of
the situation confronting the nation
and of the part of self-sacrific that
many of them might be called upon to
play in the conflict that must follow.
But If there was q wavering spirit
among them it was not evident. How
closely those assembled had studied
the International situation leading up
to the declaration of war and how
thoroughly all of them agree in the
stand that has been taken was in
dicated by the prompt response TO
every point made by Mr.. Gerard, e. ].
Cattell, of Philadelphia, Governor
Brumbaugh, who presided, and David
E. Tracy, president of the Chamber of
Commerce, who opened the meeting,
in their timely and inspiring ad-
dresses.
Red Cross Campaign
Back of the platform hung great
placards calling for assistance in re-
cruiting the Red Cross to war
strength and the audience as it stream
ed into the hall found on each seat
an envelope to be filled out and given
10 the usher at the door enrolling
the signer as a member. Hundreds
Joined the Red Cross in this way. 1t
was the first step to recruit five thou
sand new members in Harrisburg.
Everywhere the men of the Cover
who were present in uniform were
warmly greeted as they went about
distributing flags. They richly merited
the compliment Mr.. Gerard paid them
in his speech when in thanking them
for turning out in the rain to welcome
him at the station he said: II have
been all over warning Europe and
nowhere did | see a snappier body
of cavalry than the Governors Troop
nor smarter, better Set-up company
of infantry"
AS Mr.. Gerard and his escort filed
into the rear of the hall the band
struck up America" and the audience
standing sang the anthem through as
the party took their places on the
raised platform at the front of the
auditorium, conspicuous among them
being Governor Brumbaugh, President
Tracy and the striking figure of the
snowy-haired Mr.. Cattell, whose ad-
dress was to be one of the most en-
Enthusiastically received of the evening.
Mr.. Tracy introduced Governor
Brumbaugh as the presiding officer
in a speech that struck the keynote of
vania has always played in the wars
of the Republic and the immense i'm
portance of the keystone Common
wealth to the Nation at large in the
nom entous decision of armed conflict
with Germany. The Governor re-
celNeO unQueSllOIldDly lHS SIGdlGSI
ovation of the evening. As he arose
to speak the audience burst into ap
plause which steadily and very per-
ceptibly increased in volume until 1t
was fairly deafening. He and the
other speakers were repeatedly inter-
rupted by cheers, flag salutes and
handclapping.
Audience Sings Patriotic Airs
Only compliments were heard of the
splendid arrangements for the great
audience in Chestnut Street Audi
torium. There was no confusion at
any time, and under the direct eye of
the officials of the Chamber of Com
merce, including two eX-presidents,
Henderson Gilbert and j. William
Bowman the people were seated and
the exercises proceeded without a
hitch. Upon the arrival of the speak
ers and the reception committee they
were escorted by the ushers to their
positions on the platform, the audience
standing and singing a national air.
No feature of the whole affair was
more delightful than the music of the
Bethlehem Steel Company's fine band.
This organization was procured
through the good offices of Quincy
Bent, manager of the Steelton plant.
1t is q perfect organization and added
much to the success of the great oc
casion. At the conclusion of the meet
ing Governor Brumbaugh personally
expressed to the leader of the organi-
zation his appreciation and the appre-
citation of all present of the excellent
program.
Secretary McColgin. of the Cham