The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1921-07-20
The Wet Parade
In New York.

Inc wet Parade
In New York.
Those who participated in the wet
parade in New York City on July 4
had their labors for their pains.
Their demonstration will have as much
effect on securing a change in the
Volstead act as a quart of soothing
syrup could have on bowling hyena.
There will be nothing doing as the
street urchin would say. But The
Associated Press description Of the
tramp of the weary feet on the pave
ment Of the metropolis is interesting.
"a great many New Workers let the
world know today that they bear no
love for the eighteenth amendment.
Several thousand Of them raised
terrible thirst tramping up Fifth ave-
nue. in an prohibition demonstra-
ton and others packed the sidewalks
for more than two miles to cheer them
on. 1t was called "wet parade" and
it was wet-soaking wet with pers-
piration. The affair was one of the
hottest of the year, scorching sun
shining down through humid atmo-
sphere that carried scarcely Whit
of breeze. Mayor Hylan smiled and
sweltered in the heat in the reviewing
stand at Madison Square. Each group
greeted him with complimentary out
bursts as they passed by. The native
born addressed him blatantly and in
i mo al
somebody would loudly inquire if his
honor didn't long for a schooner of
lager on such a hot day
"The foreign born-and they made
up big percentage of this demonstra-
ton against dryness- always address
ed the mayor by his title or as Mister
Hyland.' Some marchers bore ban
ners which called on all to witness
the outrage on personal liberty
against which they perspired in pro-
test.
Not a few women and children
participated in the parade. They were
so outnumbered by the masculine |
marchers, however, that is seemed
manifest that the male of the species
is more thirsty than his mate. Every
body in the line had an American flag
and many wore miniature liquor bottles |
appropriately inscribed and pinned to
their lapels.
"There were more than 300 organi-
cations in line, about 100 of them |
Italian, those in charge announced
Bands played drinking songs and
songs dedicated to the absence of
drinks. Banners by the hundreds de-
picted the sentiments of the thirsty |
with the lighter view of people on the
water wagon. These placards, in "a
manner of speaking, put the kick in
the parade. One placard read PRO
hibition took the sunshine from homes
and put the moonshine in Another
said: Russia went dry in 1919 and
mad in 1921. How rational do you
feel yourselves p A third declared:
Four million soldiers fought for lib
erty and were rewarded with prohibi-
ton. How come?
''The serious signs asked every
body to notice what alcoholic aridity
aad done to the American merchant
marine. They suggested Bible read
vine from water that the wedding
east might be merry, and the Biblical
inc Use little wine for thy stom-
ach's sake was also quoted. There
we're pictures of the Last Supper and
# the Goddess of Liberty, shorn Of
Ter prosit-like pose by shackles that
'ound her arms together. X
"Some of the banners urged people (
o take the parade and sentiment it
represented with seriousness explain (
ng that the marchers wanted the Is
eighteenth amendment repealed and
he Volstead act 'iberalized' and fur
hermore that they were going to
lght for that cause When the par
de ended participants and spectators
lot and dry-throated, poured into
very available soda fountain to
Iuench their collective thirsts with
oft drinks"
And when the parade was over the
Incident was closed. Those who
narched and sweltered under the hot
I'm will get no nearer the beer spigot
or the sweat of the still than they
we're before they started on their use
ess journey. The only significant
hing about the parade is its personnel.
was comprised largely of foreign
arm who probably have not been in
america long enough to get thorough
Y acquainted with the English langu-
ge. If they have craving for liqu-
r there are boats leaving for their
and almost every day. They should
AXE Mayor Hylan with them so they
an "set 'em up to him" on reaching
heir native shore