Republican farmer., 1919-03-28
fortunate COmrades.

them were as full thrQated as tt fortunate comrades.
 After the first roar of cheers that heralded the start of the parade hush fell over tho crowds and heads were uncovered as d caisson draped in mourning came in sight. A great service flag, with gold star for each of the 1880 men who perished in ser vice overseas, furnished the symbolic evidence oe the divisions rememb. rance of those who made the supreme sacrifice.
 The deep solennrty of the occasion gave way a moment later. when Gen eraI O'Ryan and his staff, mounted, trotted up the avenue, followed by the 54th Brigade, which headed the column. The ovation along the fvo miles of march was continuous, and the cheers were of such volume as to drown the music of the military bands.
 At Madison Square, where dense crowds had congregated, the troops passed through the stately "Arch of Victory" just completed. The review ing stand was at S2nd Street. with Governor Alfred F. Smith as the principal reviewing officer. Others in the stand were Acting Secretary Of War, Benedict E. Crow ell; Acting Secretary of the Navy, Roosevelt and various representatives of the state and city governments.
 Police officials, who called out ten thousand reserves to aid tn maintain ing order, said that it was by far the largest crowd that had ever assemb- led to view a parade In this city, the nearest approach being the Hudson
 E,t.r fofN nar r-c ago. The crowds packed the side walks and cross streets almost to the point of suffocation. Every window was crowded, and owners of rooms facing the avenue charged fancy nrices to spectators. Single windows, from which several persons could see the procession, brought as high as s75.
 Relatives and friends of the troops were seated in an immense stan d running the entire eastern length oi Central Park. It was in this stand that the most enthusiasm was shown. Here, too, service flags bearing gold stars were waved, and here were women dressed in black, with the tel tale gold star worn upon the sleeve. More than 5OO,0O0 of the spectators came from various towns and cities in the state, according to police es- inmates. Many of these came to the city last night, only to find hotels swamped. Hundreds of persons thronged Fifth avenue and at dawr many persons were camped at fa- vorite places along the route of the parade.
 Fifth avenue was a waving lane o1 the national colors and many of the buildings were magnificently decorat- ed. One of the most striking decora' tions was the Court of the Heroic Dead at the Public Library. Be tween two great pylons, bearing shields decorated with the insignia O. the American divisions and upstand ing spears, appeared in letters of golt tbe names of the battles in whtcf american troops participated. Abov' the battle names are the words O Abraham LincOlns touching letter written to Mrs. Bixby, consoling he al, the death of her sons in the war
 ..l feel how weak and fruitless mus bs any words of mine which should ,++enpt to beg aile you from grie an ovzrwh elming. l pray that ou T4eavenly Father may assuage the an ,,,,ish of your bereavement aud leav' s,o,, onlv the cherished memory O .to lives lost and the golden prid .t,a4 roust be yours to have laid s oostl,y a sacrifice on the altar of free
 
 dom."
 Aro+her impressive decoration wa carried out in the Arch Of Jewels a so+h street, where 32,o00 colore' ,,TvystaI priarns were rsed to work Ou designs of coats of arms of the Unit od s4ates and her Allies. The tota candle power used in lighting tn arch was 96,00O,0oO and powerful searchARhts aided in the night illum ination.
 Acting Secretary of War Crowel representing the War Department, is sued a statement declaring that tn part played by the former Erapir state guardsmen in France woul "illuminate the pages of America history for all time."
 'The tremendous ovation whl ch tn city of New York is giving to the O. ficers and men of the 27th D. visto of the triumphant American s.rmy said Secretary Crowell, Springs frol just pride in achievement wort ny the highest national traditions.
 "These sons of the metropolis an the empire state. are the heroes ( Kemmel Hfl. of Peronne. of E eu court, of St. Quentin, Cambrai ( Bony and Le Catelet. They foue gloriously They helped win Ii, 7 most stupendous conflict the vyor4 has ever seen. The fruit Of the vii tory now in tba hands of the nlac | p1s of all civilized nations, great hn