The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-07-14

! H~eNAS Ol luG Q4N- Hundreds banners they carried delineating l their. love for America and describing I IL vigorous terms their regard for the
 Kaiser And there was a float bearing an immense ''honor roir' containing the names of Americans of German origin who have died fighting for democracy and America
 There was almost indescribable en- 1 thusiasrl when the detachment of Blue Devils went by and for our own boys the spectators grew hoarse with their shouts But when the division of Ameri- cans Of German origin passed there was something different It seemed as ii the attempted cheers stopped in thc threats of the thousands-stopped by a lump of, well, not pity. perhaps. but sympathy for these Americans who must So vigorously protest their loyalty, when the rest of us the mere bearing of the Stars and Stripes is sufficient There were not few tears. And the once German Americans understood per l haps, for there was an extra snap to tkeir marching, and their legends were upborne with a dignity beyond descrip- ton.
 The parade was a volume. Every phase of military and marine opera : tions was depicted on wonderful floats. There were rescues of victims of tor
 
 , chine gun operation and going over the top'-snd there was an actual air plane division of the parade. In bat tie formation, American ayiators and their craft, glided over the heads of the crowd along the line of march, a part of the procession. After the pa : rade was over these planes were joined by other aircraft and at one time moro than 30 American aviators IVA lpir 1f Far. .;.,l stunts over Central park.
 But it wasn't just the parade itself winch made this Fourth of July the most real one which New York has ever known. It was the spirit which spread through the hundreds of thou sands of spectators It would seem that at last Independence Day means something more than holiday and fire crackers and watermelon. It went from one to another. spreading en- thusiasm, bringing forth hoarse cheers for every new evidence of American ism which the pageant brought to view. It brought tears and sobs at times at others smiles-sometilne a laugh. But 1t was ever there, this something which we call patriotism
 I have tried to see a number of pa- rades in New York without success. True. l didn't see much of this one, considering all there was to be seen. But never before have I seen a parade crowd anywhere which was it. There was a conspicuous lack of the usual parade rudeness, there was an unusual lack of defiance of the police. There cooperation, and instead of pushing and jostling one another. ther was more of an effort to make room for the fellow standing next to one
 When after an hour sor more of searching l finally got parked for a while, I had occasion to observe the traffic policeman at the corner There were orders to keep an open gang way to the rear of the first line trenches" on the curt, and the corners were or dered kept clear. Almost everybody who would come along and see the vacant corner would, of course, think he had discovered a wonderful berth and would stop accordingly until given oft-repeated order to keep moving'>- and with a smile, instead of the usual scowl, they kept moving. Finally, a young sailor and his girl came along He was such a wholesome looking Jackie, and she was such a pretty girl and they parked themselves right in the coveted but prohibited spot
 Keep nov" began the officer and then stopped.
 How can I do it?' he muttered in. half apology to the nearest him. Looks like the noya have right to sec it from anywhere they want to- If you folks that got here first don't mtnd-I guess two more won't make any difference"
 And the crowd didn't mind, and the sailor and his girl stood right there until they were ready to move, all un- conscious of their special privilege though others who attempted 10 stop were given the customary curt order to keep moving
 E One anterprising police officer turned the day to good account by rhe simple eNpedent of roping off the i.u- litzer memorial and issuing a ukase that all who entered that coveted spot must purchase Thrift Stamps. The enclosure was soon filled and the Of ficer was olt of stamps.
 Henry MacDonald of the mayors committee on national defense, wor.xso unceasingly for months and months to make New York's biggest parade a success, and the result was the most wonderful procession perhaps which America has ever, Gnown.
 But instead of the parade being a mere arouser of enthusiasm for Ame.- ica, it was rather a reflection-a re- flection of that thing which was surg ing through the masses of onloolSers- that thing which we haven't felt for long time. but which no one can deny has found it's way into our hearts at last--the thing for which Americans have died are dying and will continue to die if necessary-"I he Spirit of '!6"