Jasper County Democrat, Volume 19, Number 67, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 November 1916 — PARADE FOR WILSON [ARTICLE]

PARADE FOR WILSON

80,000 RESIDENTS OF CAPITAL CELEBRATE RE-ELECTION. President and His Cabinet Review Marchers—Aerial Bombs Explode Over White House. Washington, Dec. 17.—Thirty-odd thousand enthusiastic American citizens gave a great demonstration here last night in honor and in celebration of President Wilson’s re-election. A procession, including more than 1,000 automobiles and 15,000 pedestrians, marched from the Peace monument, at the west side of the capitol grounds, by the White House and to Seventeenth street, where it disbanded. The marchers carried red lights, cheered for Wilson and waved American flags. President Wilson and members of his cabinet witnessed the parade and heard the hurrahs from the White House porch. The affair was conceived by the Women’s Wilson union of Washington, which collected $50,000 for the recent Democratic campaign. The parade, which looked like an inaugural procession by night, formed at the capitol at 7:30 o’clock and started about eight. Thousands of red torches carried by the marchers marked its course and a score of bands heralded jjs progress. As the vanguard of the procession approached the reviewing stand a chorus of more than 30 picked voices sang American melodies and Virginia melodies, out of respect to President and Mrs. Wilson, both of whom were born in the Old Dominion. The songs were followed by a presidential salute of 21 aerial bombs. It was,, arranged to have the bombs explode immediately over the White House. One of the bombs carried three American flags, which hung over the White House for several minutes with a searchlight turned on them.