McNairy County independent. (Selmer, McNairy County, Tenn.) 1902-1969, 1919-03-14
Washington Letter.
Washington, D. G..
March 9. 1919.

| March 9. 1919.
Editor of the Independent:
Though my report may be little
late, owing to the fact that | have
not had time to write, | shall be glad
to tell your readers something of the
Welcome Home Day" Of our boys
and the President. February 27, 1919.
Starting at l p. m. from the
Capitol and marching up Pennsylva-
mia Avenue, the same line of march
where came the men Lincoln led to
victory, and in later day marched
the victorious men that our martyred-
Mckinley and the sorely missed Roose-
velt each commanded in bis turn, and
continuing to the White House. came
$1,000 marchers. amid the pomp and
splsndor of the overfowing American
patriotism. along this memorable
streetway so gayly decorated with
the flags Of our Allies and our own
dear "0ld Glory" No other parade
has had, nor can have, the distinction
of this one, being led by the Com
mander-in- Chief Of the American Ar
my and Navy, followed by the victor
ious heroes who played no small part
in ending the most horrible and blood
lest of all wars, and by this victory it
is sincerely hoped the world will be
made safe for Democracy.
| Soldiers. sailors, returned heroes,
wounded men. marinettes. the yeo-
men, and the rank and file of every
branch of labor and squadrons of just
plain citizens who helped bring about
victory. just as surely as the fighting
men-all passed in review before the
thousands and thousands who banked
the Avenue from one end to the 9TH
er.
| All styles of small arms, large guns,
baby tanks" and large ones, motor
trucks, equipped with repair shops,
engineering apparatus. and some load
ed with row-boats and pontoon bridg-
es, in fact, almost every contrivance
necessary to modern warfare, was seen
in this parade.
| Was it altogether gay? No, indeed,
it was not. There was a real touch
Of sorrow. 1t was the moment when
there came into view huge banner
of virgin whiteness that contained a
single gold star-a star for those boys
who sleep beneath the sod in France,
destined to never know the glory of
marching home. Silent became the
voices, dim became the eyes. and as
if with one accord, uncovered we're
the heads of men and bowed were the
heads of women.
Next came perhaps the proudest Of
all divisions--fathers. mothers, sis
ters and brothers of men who went
across. Some marched with gladness
because Of the fact that son or a
brother bedecked with medals Of hon
or were marching in the line just
ahead; others more sad because son
or brother, bedecked also with medals
OF honor, but marching on a crutch
or with an empty sleeve dangling at
his side and still another group of
about 600 men who were unable to
march because of wounds not yet
healed, and who were seated 10 chairs
IN La Fayette Square fronting the
White House. Still others there were
in the Division who trudged along,
but with courage in their eyes, while
on their breasts we're pinned the little
golden star which commentaries a
grave somewhere in France, and in
their hearts wound that can never
heal.
IL was wonderful parade; one we
hope shall never be duplicated so long
as the world stands. Let rs not look
back to the flesh pots of Egypt" but
let us look forward to the dawn of a
new and lasting brotherhood Of all
the nations Of the earth when their
difficulties may be settled without re-
sorting to war and bloodshed.
May the Hand Of God direct the
powers of the nations Of the earth
and make, as it were, the world anew
in which there shall be righteousness
and peace. Sincerely yours,