THOUSANDS PLEDGE HOMAGE TO FLAG

EIGHT THOUSAND PEOPLE TAKE PART IN MONSTER LOYALTY PROCESSION
TWENTY THOUSAND OTHERS LINE STREETS

PATRIOTIC DEMONSTRATION EXCEEDS FONDEST HOPES OF MOST SANGUINE CITIZENS.

ALL BUSINESS STOPS
 
From: The Clinton Daily Herald; Wednesday, April 11, 1917, P. 3
Transcribed by a Clinton County IaGenWeb volunteer.

NOTE: U.S. President Woodrow Wilson outlined the case for declaring war upon Germany in a speech to the joint houses of Congress on April 2, 1917. The formal declaration of war occurred on April 6, 1917.

City Gives Itself Wholeheartedly When Called to Show Love of Country – Thousands of American Flags Carried by Marchers and Borne on Floats.
Nobly responding to the call for a patriotic demonstration that would reveal once and for all time the fealty of Clinton hearts, 8,000 persons entered the great “Loyalty Parade” yesterday and thus pledged themselves avowedly behind their nation in her time of need. Twenty thousand others watched the procession from the sidewalks, and in this way evinced their interest in the well being of the country.

All business was at a standstill. Practically every factory, store, restaurant, café, barber shop, machine shop, office and other place of work was closed at least during the hours of the parade. City and county officials and post office employees were also among those who took sufficient time to show their allegiance by forming part of the parade.
Steam railway and interurban trains poured hundreds into the city during the early hours of the day up to noon visitors coming from a wide radius in Illinois and Iowa. It is safe to say that almost every village in Clinton county was represented.

The crowds began thronging the streets shortly after 1:L30 o’clock, and by 2:30 had completely filled all the sidewalk. Emory Thompson, grand marshal of the day, with his assistants began forming the units in the marching column, a little after 2 o’clock, but it was not until shortly after 3 o’clock that the huge procession took its way.
The parade was almost two miles long, although the different units followed each other as closely as safety and convenience would permit. Actual count shows the number in line to be approximately 8,000 classified as follows:
3,740 men.
1,370 women.
2,890 children.

So long was the loyalty pageant that it took an hour and 25 minutes to pass a given point. It was without doubt the largest procession that ever took place in Clinton.
Flags Everywhere.
American flags were everywhere, decking the floats, carried by every marcher as well as by most of the spectators, and suspended from the buildings passed on the line of march. A large number of merchants and professional men decorated their store and office fronts yesterday morning , so that Second street and the avenues crossing it were one mass of waving red, white and blue colors. It was a fitting tribute to Old Glory, the flag established during the time of the American Revolution.
The day was indeed a success, surpassed even the most confident hopes of Clinton’s citizens. It revealed a loyal Clinton, a city standing in a body behind the principles of American democracy.

What One Saw.
Spectators viewing the parade yesterday were treated to many inspiring sights. There was a whole citizen body taking part, men women and children, patriotic to the core, demonstrating their loyalty by marching or riding through the streets. Fraternal societies, factory organizations, commercial club, bankers, clerks, Rotary club, public and parochial school, Civil and Spanish war veterans, auxiliary bodies of all kinds, Red Cross, churches, brotherhoods, bands, fife and drum corps patriotic drill team. Y. M. C. A. and Y. W. C. A., and last but far from least Company C and Battery A, all combined to make the day notable in the annals of Clinton’s history.
The formation of the column was almost exactly followed out as previously announced. First came the color staff and then Miss Henrietta Gates and Miss June Horton upon their mounts. A patriotic float followed.

Battery A, riding on guns and caissons, and numbering about 70 men, created a great deal of admiration, as one of the Clinton units which may be called upon in the first line of battle.
About 50 members of the G. A. R. came next, with a fife and drum corps leading. In turn followed the Women’s Relief Corps and a representation of the Clara Barton Circle, Ladies of the G. A. R., the Danish Young People’s society, Daughters of the American Revolution, Spanish American war veterans and the Roy Humphrey auxiliary, the last named in automobiles. The Colonial Dames were also in cars.

Sixty members of Wapsie Aerie of Eagles came next in line, followed by the colored men’s club.
The Clinton band, with more than 20 pieces was inserted here. A float followed. Then came the mail carriers and post office clerks, almost 30 in number, bearing a large flag.
The parochial schools appeared, four pupils abreast, led by St. Boniface school, St. Patrick’s, Sacred Heart, St. Mary’s, St. Irenaeus and Mt. St. Clare marched in turn, accompanied by clergymen and others. John Streib and Otto Weber had charge of the Sacred Heart delegation. St. Mary’s Alumnae and members of the W. C. O. F. followed. The German Lutheran Zion school pupils were also in line.

The Danish Brotherhood was next with about 100 keeping step.
More than 400 pupils in the Lyons public schools marched with their teachers and Supt. W. W. Overmeyer, led by the Company A, Lyons High school cadets. The cadets were commanded by Captain Heldt. The color bearers were Harry Boysen and Lawrence Kindred and they carried the Veteran Firemen’s association silk flag, and the only Betsy Ross flag in the parade, owned by T. T. Ashton.
 

The Danish society followed, The Lady Maccabees were seen in autos.
Clinton’s Turner society made a large showing, mostly of young ladies. The Lyons Congregational Christian Endeavor society entered about 30. The Woodmen of the World, with a drill team in white uniforms were also well represented. Ex-members of the hospital corps followed.
Edwards Manufacturing Co. furnished two floats, with about 100 employees carrying attached streamers. The Y. M. C. A. presented a float showing work in the concentration camps, with about 40 young men inside. Sixty Boy Scouts in uniform and 15 others drew forth much applause.
Members of the Eastern Star came in order, followed by Ivanhoe lodge, K. of P., the Wartburg college band of 20 pieces, and a delegation of about 40 Wartburg students.
Infantry Company C, composed of 75 men, was the recipient of hearty cheers all along the line of march, because its members maintained themselves with the military bearing and correctness of army regulars.

The Inola tribe of Redmen, dressed in full costume. A detachment of the Libby band. Morrison, was placed next in succession. Thirty Methodist ministers, here for the Davenport district convention, marched in a body, followed by a float of Sunday school children, women delegates to the convention, and the Men’s Brotherhood of both Lyons and Clinton churches, Epworth League of First church. The police and city officials formed a squad of about 30.
The Showing of the Masons was remarked upon. Led by the DeMolay consistory band of 20 pieces, they marched in a single body, 400 strong. The Y. W. C. A. and Camp Fire girls came in turn, accompanied by a float. The Red Cross members rode in automobiles.

Employees of the Iten Biscuit company brought with them a huge horse-drawn float that carried a young lady for each state in the union, besides a chorus of male voices. The Moose followed. Collis company’s representation consisted of over 100 men. The bankers numbered about 25.
The Lyons band headed the next division. Almost 300 Knights of Columbus came next, with a beautiful float, “Santa Maria.” The Robin Hood Grays led the Modern Woodmen of America.
Rebekahs and Odd Fellows then made their appearance. Canton Twin City, 24, P. M., led the latter, of whom there were about 100. F. Smith & Son’s box factory employees added 40. The Rotary club exhibited one of the handsomest floats in the parade. The patriotic drill team of volunteers marched with 40 men.
Curtis Bros. & Co. office force and other employees were lively all the time, and set the example for the patriotic messenger boys, who wore their uniforms. The Ladies auxiliary to the Clinton Boat club came close behind in automobiles, led by an appropriate float. Twenty court house employees carried an enormous American flag.
Flindt’s band of 20 pieces led 560 workers in the Northwestern railway shops from Clinton and East Clinton. Labor not attached formed a section. The Swedish society brought 40 paraders.
The third and largest section of school children, belonging to the Clinton public schools, came next, led by the Junior High school and teachers. The High school boys had a drum corps of four members, who led their section of about 200. The Clinton Sugar Refining Co.’s float was a marvel of beauty. Fifteen decorated automobiles loaded with people, concluded the procession.

VAST THRONG GIVES CITY INSPIRATION
MARCHING HOST BENEATH THOUSANDS OF FLAGS GIVES PROOF OF LOYALTY OF CLINTON
READY FOR TEST
Men, Women and Young People Step Under Banner of Freedom – Earnestness of Endeavor and Consecration Implied in Loyalty Parade.
What is the message that the loyalty parade brought to the people who came from far and near yesterday to mingle with the people of Clinton? Just this, that Clinton is ready, that the city has taken its stand with other cities of America in personal demonstration, that the truth still lives and that patriotism is paramount.
How was it told? By the singing of a group of sweet faced girls as they marched joyfully to their own music; by the toddling feet of small children, bearing their wee flags aloft and smiling happily on the fathers and mothers who stood along the curb to watch them pass or stepped proudly in the footsteps of the teachers whose daily lessons are of loyalty and reverence to the flag.

The message was told in the confident look from the eyes of beardless boys in the uniforms of the scouts, in the earnestness of campfire girls, in the intensity with which women marched. It came unspoken but with grim purpose from the faces of Clinton’s business men, in the loyalty shown by the hundreds of workmen who had laid aside the implements of toil that they might carry the flag as a symbol of burdens they would accept if the call comes to them.
It came with heart piercing surety with the men in uniform, the infantry walking with the precision and military bearing of regulars and the boys of Battery A, Clinton’s own boys, men some of them, but lads yet in many a home circle.

Wonderful Event.
It was quite the most wonderful event Clinton has ever seen. The city was not big enough to hold it, the streets not wide enough for the crowds except that they exercised courtesy and loyalty in keeping within bounds. It is splendid assurance of what this parade means to Clinton when it is realized as an after thought that police interference was not necessary at any time to keep crowds in check.

The sublime spectacle of dancing flags, held aloft as the hosts marched on, was not marred by untoward accidents. The crowd kept its place, this alone saved man from possible disaster when the horses on one of the caissons became restive and almost stepped upon some of the crowd near the corner of Third avenue and Second street. The very fact that people were on the cur and not in the street, and that the children were not standing in the street, helped much, the prompt dash of artillery men to the horses’ heads was all that was needed to quiet them.

Promptness is Order.
Promptness was the order of the day and it was observed so near to the letter that at 3:10 p. m., the color bearers swung into line at the corner of Third avenue and Second street. They were followed by Miss June Horton and Miss Henrietta Gates on horseback and then came the line of marchers and organizations, proudly beneath flags eve more numerous than individuals. All along the line of march flags waved in the spring breezes, tossing lightly in the sun. Up to Munson street the line marched, and then returned in a counter march to Seventh avenue and it was one hour and 25 minutes before the last small child in the school ranks passed the starting place. The time for the parade to pass a given point would have been stretched to more than an hour and a half if automobiles that formed the rear guard of the procession had kept their place to the full extent of the line. They walked through lanes of people solidly massed along the entire distance.

The destination was Clinton park, and here they paused, rank upon rank of flags held aloft as the thousands that had marched in lien and the thousands more that had watched them gathered together in the park. Not all could come within the sound of the voices but they were held by the national airs played by the bands.

GIRLS ASSIST IN RECRUITING
A bevy of Clinton girls entered yesterday’s parade determined to aid in recruiting for the national guard. They carried appropriate placards telling the world “We want men – not for ourselves but for the army”. “Don’t get married, boys, join the army”, and others in the same vein. They were an important feature in the procession.
BIG CROWDS AT MASS MEETING
MANY REMAIN FOR PROGRAM OF ADDRESSES, FOLLOWING CLOSE OF PARADE
SING NATIONAL AIRS
Band Leads in Playing “America” and “The Star Spangled Banner” – President Crawford of Commercial Club Urges Continued Display of Flags.
Thousands who participated in and witnessed the “Loyalty Parade” yesterday afternoon remained in Clinton park, the end of the procession, for the patriotic mass meeting.
When all had completed assembling, Thomas Crawford, president of the Commercial Club, spoke briefly, introducing Rev. George Raymond Cady, pastor of the First Congregational church. Mr. Cady prayed earnestly for the president of the United States, for the army and for the navy that they might be strong in the stress laid upon them in this tense hour. He spoke the gratitude of the people assembled for the Divine Providence that had given such a beautiful day for Clinton’s expression of patriotism. He prayed that the people might respond to the utmost of their power to what the days of the future might bring and how to accept the burdens.

Mr. Crawford then spoke again as follows:
“Breathes there a man with soul so dead, who never to himself has said: This is my own, my native land.”
The sentiment thus expressed by one of our famous poets is the sentiment we all feel today. We have just finished a magnificent demonstration of patriotism. Loyalty is expressed to the United States, and our honored president by our acts. Clinton has demonstrated that she loves the land of the free and the home of the brave. Never in the history of this city have the colors been displayed as they are now.

We have two speakers worthy of the occasion and I now take pleasure in introducing Mr. F. W. Ellis.
Mr. Ellis’ wonderful appeal to reason and to patriotism was heard with many outbursts of ringing applause. He talked straight from his convictions and carried his audience to an intensity of expression.

At the close of the talk Mr. Crawford spoke again on flag deference and the effect upon the community of a daily hoisting of the flag before every home. He then introduced Frank L. Holleran who carried to the people a forceful, sympathetic and logical thought of deepest patriotism.
When these to addresses were concluded the vast throng was ready for singing of “America” and “The Star Spangled Banner.” These songs were voiced as they have never before been sung in Clinton. Then the people wended their way homeward, carried their flags to handsome residence and humble fireside.
The aftermath came with the evening as tired children paid their last salute to the flag of their country and men and women talked of the day that had passed and wondered what the morrow might bring, fortified for what is to come through a common love of country, expressed simply yet with convincing power by Clinton’s 8,000 marchers in the loyalty parade.

WILL YOU KEEP TO THE LINE? HOIST YOUR FLAG
Between the two powerful addresses given at Clinton park yesterday afternoon Thomas Crawford, president of the Clinton Commercial club, made an appeal for a daily consecration to the nation’s service through the display of The Colors. The letter he read was as follows:
“To the Citizens of Clinton:
“Are you one of the hundreds of Clinton citizens who are showing their loyalty and patriotism at this national crisis by displaying the Stars and Stripes at your homes and places of business?
“We appeal to you not to be neglectful of this duty to our nation. We are assembled today in an immense community pageant of patriotism. Let us not let our display be neglected from now on. Make it a household slogan ‘To raise the flag daily.’
“COMMITTEE OF PATRIOTIC CITIZENS”
FLOATS ARE FEATURE OF BIG PARADE
FIFTEEN ELABORATELY DECORATED TRUCKS AND WAGONS PROVE VERY APPROPRIATE
SOME FINE ONES
Float With Miss Columbia and Large Golden Eagle drawn by Four Black Horses Very Elaborate – Rotary Club, Commercial Club, K. of C., Post Office Very Good.
Probably one of the most imposing features of the Loyalty parade was the 15 floats which were well scattered along the entire line of march. Some of these showed time and expense had not been spared in making them fit to take part in Clinton’s great preparedness parade. All of the floats were of a patriotic nature and in keeping with the occasion.

Sugar Refinery Float.
The Clinton Sugar Refining Co. float surpassed all others in the procession. This beautiful float, the work of Louis Jilly, showed that neither time nor expense had been spared in making it a beautiful display of patriotism. The float represented “Columbia” in a high gilded chair, carrying a huge American shield. In front of Columbia, represented by Miss Elsie Poppe, was a grand golden American Eagle with outspread wings. The entire float was surrounded by golden posters and cords. Drawing this display were four beautiful black horses, led by four men. On each side of the float marched four members of Battery A.
The Rotary club’s float probably attracted nearly as much attention. This was a large automobile, decorated in red, white and blue tissue paper garlands, with a large Rotary wheel over the top of the radiator, large American shields on each side of the car, together with the rotary emblem. In the rear of the car was little Miss Brown dressed as Miss Columbia, holding the ends of a large American flag. The car was driven by F. Engel, accompanied by Mrs. Margaret Swain, dressed in red, white and blue, who sounded bugle calls. The float was followed by the members of the Rotary club, all carrying Japanese parasols in red, white and blue.
The float built by the Clinton Commercial club and near the head of the parade represented Uncle Sam and Miss Columbia with a large canopy over the latter, who was carrying a large American shield. The float, which was elaborately decorated in red, white and blue, was drawn by a beautiful whit team. Miss Columbia was represented by Miss Lillian Hall and Uncle Sam by E. P. Delaney.

Iten Biscuit Co.
Another beautiful float was that of the Iten Biscuit Co. This was also unique and original in idea. A large dray was elaborately decorated with red, white and blue bunting and flags. High in the air was seated a girl for every state in the union, each bearing the name of the state she represented on a banner across her breast. Immediately preceding this float were the workmen of the factory in line, while on the float, Sloppy’s quartet san through megaphones.
A Red Cross float was neatly represented with a four passenger chummy roadster profusely decorated in red, white and blue bunting and flags and across the center was erected a large arch from which red, white and blue streamers were attached, the ends of which were held by girls and ladies, marching to the side and rear of the car. In the rear seat of the car was a little girl dressed s a Red Cross nurse in a regulation uniform.
The Edwards Manufacturing company was represented with the same kind of float, except a small youth was dressed as Uncle Sam and the girls form the factory carried the streamers from the car.

Post Office Float.
Among the best floats in the parade was that which headed toe post office employees. Postmaster Jacobsen’s car was elaborately decorated with red, white and blue bunting and flags entirely covered the top lines of the body of the car. The car was driven by Marvin Jacobsen, accompanied by Mr. Jacobsen’s family. The float was immediately followed by practically every employee of the post office, headed by Postmaster Jacobsen, Assistant Postmaster Roberts and the carriers and clerks, the former in uniform.
An effective and appropriate float was that of the Y. M. C. A. On a large platform wagon was erected a tent, bearing the inscription, “Army Y. M. C. A.” In the tent were tables and chairs, representing the rest and writing room offered to the boys in the service by the association.

K. of C. Float.
Another attractive and appropriate float was that of St. Edward’s council, K. of C. This float, erected on a large auto represented Columbus’ ship, the “Santa Maria”. This float was occupied by Columbus and an American Indian . The float was preceded by the officers of the organization and followed by the members of the order.
The Clinton Boat club and auxiliary were represented with a patriotic float. The car was decorated with red, white and blue bunting with Uncle Sam sitting in the rear seat of the car holding streamers which were fastened to the front of the car, thence to a small yacht and to signs bearing the inscriptions, “I want your boats” and “I want men for the navy.” A little sailor boy accompanied Uncle Sam. The car was driven by Mr. and Mrs. O. R. Champlin.
The Eagles lodge made a good showing with a hand float. Between eight large iron standards a huge American flag was carried while on the top of this was carried a large American eagle.
The Spanish American War veterans, in the center of their squad of men, carried a large black and white banner bearing the following inscription “We served in ’98 and are ready to serve again.”
The Clinton Turner society carried a large four sided banner bearing the following inscription, “We Are Ready for the Call”.

Camp Fire Girls
The Camp Fire Girls were well represented in the parade with a large automobile float. On the rear of the F. W. Ellis auto was a large pine tree, with a camp scene nearby, a light giving a pretty glow to the fire.
The officials of the Clinton county court house were in the line of march carrying a large American flag. Officials from every office were represented.
The Collis Co., was represented with a large auto truck, decorated with red, white and blue bunting and loaded to capacity with the employees of the factory, while a large number of others followed.
The Methodist Sunday school was also represented in the parade with an auto truck loaded with the smaller children of the school and appropriately decorated.
Armored Car.
The most appropriately decorated car for the occasion was that of the General Auto Co. This firm went to the trouble of especially decorating an auto to represent an armored car. A small cannon was mounted in front while the sides and back fairly bristled with cannon.
There were approximately 20 especially decorated automobiles which remained in line to take part in the parade. Many of these cars were beautifully adorned with bunting, flags and garlands of red, white and blue. One automobile, decorated and filled to capacity with colored ladies, bore the inscription, “Old Settlers of Iowa.” Practically no cars which were not decorated took part in the parade and a number of these which entered did not complete the line of march.

CLINTON’S LOYALTY DISPLAYED IN GREATEST DEMONSTRATION EVER HELD IN CITY’S HISTORY
MARCHING HOST OF MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN AN EXAMPLE TO THE WORLD
IS HUGE SUCCESS
Parade and Mass Meeting Complete Success in Every Sense of the Word – Figures Give But Faint Idea of Magnitude of Achievement – Display of Flags.
Eight thousand men, women and children – a great marching host of loyal Americans, carrying the Stars and Stripes; twenty thousand spectators – another host of loyal Americans, demonstrating their loyalty, by the flags in their hands and the cheers from their throats, almost as effectively as the marchers:
That was Clinton’s spectacular and emphatic example of loyalty, advertised to the world yesterday afternoon in the greatest procession that has ever passed through the streets of the city and the greatest display of patriotism ever produced in Clinton.
Clinton’s “Loyalty Day” demonstration was a complete success in every sense of the word. It was an achievement that will long remain a memorable feature of the city’s history. Eight thousand pairs of feet were gloriously tired last night, after covering the more than two miles of the line of march; twenty thousand pairs of feet were likewise tired, after standing in one place for more than an hour, while the great long line of marchers and equipages, two miles in length, passed.
Those figures can give only a faint idea of the impressive size of that procession. To say that it stretched from Munson and Second streets, south in Second street to Seventh avenue, thence west two blocks and north in Fourth street to Clinton park at Fourth avenue may give a more adequate idea of its length, for that is literally true – in fact it is not all of the truth, for the head of the parade had reached the terminus, before the end counter-marched at Munson street.
Starting with original plans for counter marching at Second avenue, the committee in charge was compelled, owing to the length of the parade, to extend the line of march many blocks to the north and even then the procession stretched from one end to the other of the line of march, only the counter-march making it possible to confine the parade within the two miles.
Solemn Procession.

It was not a cheering, shouting, gala procession of merry-makers. That fact stood out in strong relief. The carnival spirit was entirely lacking. Rather, it was a solemn procession of patriots, as ready to give all that they hold most dear for the defense of their country, in case of need, as they were to thus exhibit the spirit of patriotism;; it was a living, breathing, pulsating symbol of fealty, of love for native or adopted land.

And who were the marchers – Americans, that is all. Priest, preacher, religious one, irreligious one marched side by side, waved the same colors and cheered with the same vim. Foreign born and native born Americans kept step with each other and their hearts beat in unison as the bands – there were six of them – played stirring patriotic airs. Men and women from every land and every clime, all molded into true Americans, were there, it seemed. Sect, creed, father-lands were of the past. Banker marched with ditch digger, employer kept step with employee – station in life was forgotten.

Display of Colors.
The national colors – what a galaxy of red, white and blue they formed. Flags were everywhere. Thousands waved in the hands of the marchers. Other thousands were held above the heads of the spectators. And the great procession moved between banks of flags, it seemed, so thoroughly were buildings and homes decorated, consecrated in fact, with the Stars and Stripes. Never in the history of Clinton was there such a display of red, white and blue and that is saying a great deal, for Clinton has gained a reputation as a community which believes in displaying its patriotism.

Ingenuity – what a wonderful display. Floats that represented huge expenditures of money and effort, of time and of thought were numerous. Formations, costumes, uniforms, all spoke of labor and thoughtfulness. Even the formation of the parade was typical of the ingenuity which marked the entire event. Not a hitch occurred to mar its success. The marshal of the day and his lieutenants were in complete commend. They moved the various units into line with astonishing precision, considering the magnitude of the task.
And the scene at Clinton park when those thousands gathered to reconsecrate and rededicate themselves to the nation – who can ever forget the spirit with which “America” and “The Star Spangled Banner” were sung, with every male head uncovered, after those two stirring speeches. That such a vast throng would remain after such a long parade, to listen to a program of addresses was evidence in itself of the strong spirit of loyalty prevailing in Clinton. And the huge audience was duly rewarded. Hearts will beat faster and truer in the future because of the things that were said and done in the park program.

Clinton has given its message of loyalty to the country. Clinton stands firmly behind the national government. Clinton, like Stephen Decatur, has said:
“Our country! In her intercourse with foreign nations may she always be in the right; but our country, right or wrong.”
ESTIMATES OF CROWD VARIED; NEARLY 10,000

Estimates of the number of participants in yesterday’s “Loyalty Parade” vary, some placing it as high as 10,000. Computations made by members of the Herald’s staff indicate that the number exceeded 8,000.