Jasper County Democrat, Volume 3, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 March 1901 — PARADE A MONSTER. [ARTICLE]

PARADE A MONSTER.

Imposing Pageantry in Honor off Pragl* dent McKinley. The parade was a military and civic pageant projected upon a scale of magnificence never before undertaken on a like occasion. Undoubtedly in point of numbers, spectacular features and gorgeous accessories It eclipsed any inaugural display in the history of the nation. Upward of 55,000 men were in line. Every arm of the military service was represented by crack organizations, the National tiuanl of several States added to the brilliney of the military demonstration, while civic orders, political >rlabs, college students, eminent men, chief executives of States with imposing staffs, historical floats symbolic of t!ie progress of the nation, and hands almost without number contributed to the splendor of the spectacle. The military pageant was exceptionally imposing, it included 1,200 cavalry, 3,000 regular infantry, hundreds of bluejackets and 2,800 marines, and 15,000 National Guardsmen from several States. In addition there were 10,000 citizen marchers, 10,000 members of civic organizations, and 2,000 college students. Innumerable bands, aggregating a membership of 3,000, provided the “concord of sweet sounds" that made the occasion memorable for the most ambitious musical auxiliary employed in connection with the quadrennial national function. States which sent military organizations were Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania. Maryland, Ohio, Illinois, New Jersey, Michigan, Virginia and Alabama. The aggregate strength of the State militiamen in uniform did not fall short of 15,000 men. and second military division. His aids included Algernon Snrtmis, grandson of Gen. Grant, and Brig. Gen. Charles King. Evqry Republican Governor, accompanied by his staff and, where the Guard ,of the State is not out in force, accompanied by a small escort, lent distinction to the pageant, while mayors of cities, eminent statesmen and meu of affairs passed in review. Practically all that remains of the regular army now in the l nited States, including cavalry, infantry and artillery,