Local History: Part I - Altoona Mirror's Souvenir, Containing an Account of the Semi-Centennial Celebration of the War Governors' Conference. Altoona, PA: Mirror Printing Company, [January 1,] 1913. OCRed, proofread and contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Judy Banja jbanja@msn.com ___________________________________________________________ USGENWEB NOTICE: Printing this file by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information are included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites, requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. ____________________________________________________________ 1862 1912 SOUVENIR BOOKLET containing an account of the Semi-Centennial Celebration of the War Governors' Conference Held in Altoona, Pa. September 24, 25, 26 and 27, 1912 Presented to Subscribers of the Altoona Mirror January 1, 1913 Extra Copies, 25 Cents Preface. THE Semi-Centennial of the Loyal War Governors' Conference was celebrated in Altoona on September 24, 25, 26 and 27, 1912. It was the greatest and grandest demonstration in the history of the city. The ALTOONA MIRROR'S reports were in keeping with the importance of the jubilee, being full and complete. Extra editions of the Mirror were issued to give the people the news on the day it happened. Because of the historic value of the event, and in compliance with a demand for the four-days' proceedings in compact form, the Mirror Printing Company has compiled this souvenir for free distribution to Mirror subscribers. In a work of this character it was necessary to omit the side issues and confine the subject matter to the chief features only. But in addition to these, the booklet also contains a history of the Conference and incidents leading up to it, a sketch of the present-day Altoona, a description of the Mirror's New Home, the Fire Alarm Boxes, the Building Associations, the Interest Table, Newspaper Circulation Figures, and other interesting local data. HARRY SLEP, President, Mirror Printing Co. [4] Altoona Mirror's New Home. Dedicated by a Business Men's Banquet on April 15, 1912. [5] Gem of The Alleghenies. Altoona in Keeping With Aboriginal Meaning as "High Land of Great Worth" - Will Be Among Greatest Inland Cities in the Country. ALTOONA, adapted from Allatoona, an Indian word, meaning "high land of great worth," in every respect is in keeping with its aboriginal significance. It is the gem of the Alleghenies and is destined to become one of the greatest inland cities of the country. Altoona is just thirty miles southwest of the geographical centre of the great State of Pennsylvania. It lies at the eastern base of the principal range of the Allegheny mountains, is near the head waters of the far-famed "Blue Juniata" river and is on the mainline of the great Pennsylvania railroad system. The lowest point in the city is 1,120 feet above the level of the sea and in and about the city are knolls which rise to from 100 to 150 feet higher, enhancing the surroundings with picturesque scenery. Stretching on every side are fertile valleys where agricultural pursuits are carried on extensively. The water that is supplied to the city is drawn from the mountain springs and there is none purer in the state. The high altitude renders the health conditions ideal and in every respect the city is one where the home seeker, the health seeker and the wealth seeker finds opportunities of the best. Altoona is the creation of the Pennsylvania Railroad company. The extensive shops of the big corporation, the biggest of their kind in the world, were not located here by chance. The character of the traffic from the level stretches eastward to the mountainous gradients of the west changes at this point. It is here that heavy trains from the east must either be broken up to smaller trains or be furnished with additional power in being taken over the mountain. Altoona, thus naturally is a terminal point for the division of the railroad extending eastward and the division extending westward, and it is just as natural that the repair shops as well as construction plants should be located at this point. The Pennsylvania Railroad company started to erect their shops here in 1850. The road was opened up through to Pittsburg a few years later. Homes sprung up on both sides of the tracks until today the mainline passes through the heart of the city, dividing it practically in half. The shops which originally were a small roundhouse with one or two other departments have increased until they now comprise both repair and building plants which stretch from Bellwood on the northeast to South Altoona on the southwest. The shopmen, together with the men employed on the road, comprise the largest body of railroad men to be found in any other city in the United States. These men are among the best paid workmen in the world, and they are likewise above the average in intelligence. Labor conditions are excellent and there are no disturbing elements. A floating population which is generally attracted to cities where large industries are found is practically unknown in Altoona. Work being regular and pay good, workmen remain in the city to make it their home. Eighty per cent. of the people live in their own homes, Altoona having a larger number of home owners than any other city of its size in the country. One has but to point to the splendid homes, the magnificent churches and the fine school system to prove that the citizenship of Altoona is of a uniformly higher grade than is to be found elsewhere. There are few very wealthy people and still fewer very poor people. In addition to the half million dollar High school and the Central Grammar building, fine school buildings are found in each of the twelve wards. In the High school is found a $20,000 manual training equipment, which was donated by the Pennsylvania Railroad company, and trade teaching receives unusual attention. Graduates of the High school are admitted to the best colleges and universities of the land on the strength of their diploma. In addition to the public school system, parochial schools of a high order are maintained by the different Catholic parishes and the enrollment in these schools is near the 3,000 mark. Altoona may be said to be a city of 6 ALTOONA MIRROR'S SOUVENIR. churches, as structures devoted to public worship dot every section. Almost every denomination is well represented. The city is the Episcopal seat of the Roman Catholic diocese of Altoona. Close to two million dollars, all approved by the voters, have been spent within the past decade in the way of public improvements. Lake Altoona, the third and largest of a series of storage reservoirs, has already cost $600,000, and upon being entirely completed will mean an expenditure of almost a million. Within the past five years more than a million dollars has been expended in paving the streets, with the result that there are miles and miles of the finest thoroughfares to be found anywhere. The average amount paid to the workmen of Altoona by the Pennsylvania Railroad company alone, each month, is over one million dollars. This goes for healthy growth and permanence in business. Altoona is the logical trade centre of all Central Pennsylvania, and the merchants and business men are gradually extending their activities to all the surrounding districts. The trolley system is one of the best in the state, its branches extending in every direction. New spurs are in view and, upon being completed, will give the people all the transportation advantages that could be desired. The electric lighting system not only extends to all parts of the city and suburbs, furnishing power and light, but has reached many miles away to surrounding towns. A large part of the current is obtained from dams on the Juniata river at Warrior Ridge, and because of this natural advantage in the manufacturing process, can be delivered cheaply. While the census of 1910 gave the city proper a population of 52,127, the surrounding boroughs and towns which touch on the city, and which are in reality a part of it, will bring the population up to at least 75,000. In contrast to many cities, there are not a large number of foreigners. The majority of the number here have imbibed the home-owning impulse and are among the most worthy and law-abiding inhabitants. The Altoona railroad shops represent the highest development of such industries, being famous the world over. There are five big departments, or divisions, the machine shops, the car shops, the Juniata shops, the East Altoona shops and the South Altoona shops. In the machine shops, at Twelfth street, are repaired the company's big locomotives. At the car shops, extending from Second to Seventh streets, are built and repaired both passenger and freight cars. At the Juniata shops are turned out the big locomotives that are used on the road for both passenger and, freight service. At East Altoona is found the largest roundhouse in the world, in addition to repair shops. At South Altoona are found the extensive foundries of the corporation, where brass and soft iron equipment and wheels are turned out. The machinery and equipment maintained in these various shops, which comprise more than one hundred buildings and cover about fifty acres of ground space, is the best to be found in the world, and the quality of work turned out is not surpassed anywhere. In addition to the employes of these shops, the company employs thousands of clerks and road men, all of whom are well paid and who look upon Altoona as their home. Of but recent date is the official announcement that extensive improvements are to be made by the Pennsylvania Railroad company along the main line in the vicinity of Twenty-ninth street. Here a roundhouse, turntables, coal tipples and repair shops are to be established, involving an expenditure of several million dollars and making a sixth great department in this city. Still more improvements are said to be planned for the city by the great corporation, and official announcement will be made in due time. While Altoona is distinctly a railroad town, there are a number of other industries where employment is to be had the year around. At two big silk mills thousands of girls and women are employed and there are likewise a number of minor industries. Of recent announcement is the fact that the Altoona Northern Railroad company, which has just been chartered, is planned to give the New York Central lines access to our city. The new railroad will run from Altoona to Wopsononock over the Wopsy road, and from that point will extend to Patton. The road will be electrified and will likewise be built for steam traffic. Work has already been started to convert Wopsononock, which has an altitude of 2660 feet and is the highest point in Central Pennsylvania, into a ALTOONA MIRROR'S SOUVENIR. 7 summer resort such as is found in the east. For years Lakemont park, three miles from the city, has been classed among the finest summer resorts in the country, and for years to come will likely be one of the city's most popular breathing spots. A sketch of the city, however brief, would not be complete without calling attention to the health record. With pure air, pure water and altitude, the public health is of the best and few cities of the country have a record that approaches the conditions found in Altoona. An epidemic of disease is practically unknown. Sheltered on all sides by mountains, the climate is agreeable both summer and winter, the extremes of cold and heat being unknown. This, together with the fine mountain scenery on every side and the excellent industrial conditions, makes Altoona a desirable city in which to live. A Retrospect Fifty Years After. By SAMUEL R. MILLER. Up from the fields a-sweep with flame; Up from the red-dyed plains of war: >From Shiloh, shrine of bootless fame; From Malvern, vainly battled o'er; >From Bull Run's bloody shambles, and Antietam's hillocks, pierced and torn Up from the south, that reeking land, Wild is the news this autumn morn! Wild the rumor from camp and field; Wild the reports of sick and slain; Wild the alarm, now ill-concealed, Lest gold and blood be spent in vain. The nation's heart is filled with woe. Long had she with the rebel strove, But, e'er alert, that dauntless foe Backward the front of battle drove. The widow and the fatherless Shall see no more their idol's face; The maid, in utter wretchedness, Has met her lover's last embrace; The brother grieves now for the one Who whilom was his joy at play; The weeping mother mourns her son, Lost in the sick camp or the fray. The dashing Kearny leads no more His host against the rebel van: His name is writ, his battles o'er, With Wayne, Murat and Sheridan. And Stevens, famed the country wide; And brave Reno, who victor led; And Mansfield, Pennsylvania's pride* - All numbered with the mighty dead. But hark! Out from the ominous gloom, A voice of firmness, yet elate. Our Curtin calls! He bids thee come, Thou head of every loyal state! Come from the commonwealth remote! Come from the borderland of war! Hear Freedom's rich, entrancing note! Rise to the fullness of thy pow'r! Many a beardless youth has paid The fatal toll of chivalry; Many a noble sire is laid Beneath the soil he fought to free; But legion after legion wait Thy call to arms and valor now. Unmoved by fear, untouched of hate, They'll sweep triumphant on the foe. Gray chieftains, in this crucial hour For strength and victory combine, And if no discord saps thy pow'r, Then fame and honor shall be thine. Where Juniata croons her lays And ripples onward to the sea, Posterity shall shout thy praise, And Glory raise her shaft to thee! -From Altoona Mirror, September 26, 1912. *Major General Joseph K. F. Mansfield was born in New Haven, Conn. At Antietam Mansfield commanded a division composed largely of Pennsylvania troops, by whom he was greatly beloved. The noble One Hundred and Twenty-fifth regiment, recruited in Altoona and vicinity, was part of this division, and when in the severe fighting near the Dunker church the general received his death wound, it was an Altoonan, Mr. John Coho, who helped carry him from the field. Because of these facts and of his heroic last hour, when the Army of Northern Virginia was rolled back after the tide of rebellion had carried it almost to our border, it seems but small stretch of the imagination that Pennsylvanians should confer on this great general the compliment here given. Later in the war Mansfield's fame was eclipsed by sons of the Keystone state, several of whom, however, won renown such as the world's great warriors but rarely achieve. - S. R. M. [8] HON. J. D. HICKS, General Chairman. A. T. HEINTZELMAN, Vice Chairman. C. H. HEINTZELMAN, Corresponding Secretary. W. J. HAMOR, Financial Secretary. [9] HARRY SLUTZKER, Treasurer CAPT. J. C. LONG, Advocated War Governors' Memorial. J. V. TAYLOR, Chairman Publicity Committee. A. B. CLARK, Chairman Amusement Committee. [10] The Altoona Conference. Famous Meeting of Loyal Governors of the North Strengthened the Hand of President Lincoln During the Darkest Period of the Civil War. ON an equality with Gettysburg, the Emancipation Proclamation and the surrender of Lee at Appomattox, the conference of the Loyal War Governors of the North, held at Altoona on Sept. 24 and 25, 1862, stands out as one of the most important and decisive events of the Civil war. A conference unheralded and unsung, an event barely mentioned by the newspapers and magazines of the day, it was one of the determining factors of that momentous period in the national life, a thing that, more than any other, upheld the hand of Abraham Lincoln at the time when his great task was hardest. After a year and a half of war, during which the South had gained most of the important battles and the North was hard pressed on every hand, just when the Emancipation Proclamation was issued and Lincoln needed the support of every loyal man in the North to carry out its provisions and when, on every side gloom and discouragement met the chieftain instead of the enthusiastic support and encouragement he needed, the famous conference of the governors was held, his opinions and plans approved and the day was saved. Probably none knew the really desperate character of the situation at that time better than Andrew Gregg Curtin, Pennsylvania's great war governor, who - when the forces of the Confederacy lay within a day's march of Washington and despair was deepening throughout the North, the Federal armies having as yet been unable to gain any very decisive victories, saw that President Lincoln needed a stronger moral backing on the part of the loyal states than had yet been accorded him - conceived the idea of having the governors of the various states meet and offer him their united and continued support. Accordingly, on Sept 14, 1862, in connection with Governor Todd of Ohio and Governor Pierpont of Virginia, Governor Curtin issued a call to the governors to assemble in conference at the Logan House in Altoona, this city being chosen on account of its central location and excellent railroad facilities, and, on Sept. 24, fourteen of the governors met here, remaining in conference for two days and discussing the situation from every standpoint. There were no newspapermen at the meeting and no official records were kept, but, on the second day, the governors drafted and presented to President Lincoln an address, in which they tendered him their assurance of personal and official confidence, suggesting that he call upon them for additional troops and promising him their constant support in the pursuit of the war and in the preservation of the Union. It was this conference and this address which, more than any other thing, strengthened Lincoln's hands in the darkest hour of the war period, and it was the Semi-Centennial of this conference that the City of Altoona determined to observe with a magnificent three days' celebration. The Semi-Centennial Celebration. No more perfectly planned and executed, no more spectacular and splendid, no more magnificent and history-making celebration was ever held in Altoona than the one which marked the semi-centennial of the Conference of Loyal War Governors on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, Sept. 24, 25, 26 and 27, 1912, respectively. The formal opening of the celebration took place at noon on Tuesday with the firing of the governor's salute of seventeen guns from Gospel Hill park, the highest point in the city. Tuesday evening in the tented auditorium at the cricket field the patriot carnival was the attraction for thousands. Wednesday, President and Governor's day, was replete with interest. In the forenoon a pageant of school children and soldiers passed before William H. Taft, president of the United States, ALTOONA MIRROR'S SOURVENIR 11 and John K. Tener, governor of Pennsylvania, together with many other celebrities of the state and nation. In the afternoon patriotic exercises were held in the tented auditorium. Ten thousand people were present. Addresses were made by President Taft, Governor Tener, Mayor Simon H. Walker, Hon. J. D. Hicks, and Dr. Edwin E. Sparks, president of State College. An original poem was read by Mrs. Frances Pierpont Siviter, daughter of the war governor of West Virginia. The civic and industrial parade held Thursday forenoon was one of the longest and most gorgeous pageants to ever traverse a city in the state outside of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. The automobile parade held Friday afternoon was a brilliant procession and the grand dress ball held in the tent in the evening brought the celebration program to a close. In the pages following will be found the full account of the celebration as reported by the Mirror's staff of reporters and published in the Altoona Mirror on the days the exercises and parades took place. The Semi-Centennial Poem. BY ANNA PIERPOINT SIVITER. [In commemoration of a meeting of the Loyal War Governors at Altoona, in 1862, after severe union reverses, for the purpose of pledging the support of their states to President Lincoln, enabling him to call 300,000 additional troops, thus insuring the success of the North.] My country, O my country, dark and dread now war clouds lower, And the traitor's hand has seized you; you are yielding to his power, And our mighty Leader trembles: In Columbia's great land Is there none to send him succor, or uphold his weakened hand? Never was there direr peril, never was there greater need, When a nation's life is threatened, shaken as a broken reed; When her cry for help is stifled - choked by deadly, craven fear; Victory has fled her standards, and defeat draws swiftly near. All the world is watching, waiting for an end that seems not far - When the hope of oppressed people dies as dies a shooting star - When a nation that was founded for the freedom of mankind Shall be racked and torn asunder by foul slavery, fierce and blind. But our God is still in heaven, and His purpose may not be Thwarted by man's dumb endeavor; He it was made Liberty! Loyal states have come together, led by leaders wise and brave, Who have pledged their best and strongest that the Union they will save! Hark! Their cry for help is ringing-scarce a cry, 'tis more than a prayer; And the answer to their summons seems to come from everywhere. Every loyal state is hastening, gladly sending forth her best. Never braver men have answered to stern Duty's swift request. West Virginia boys are coming, from her mountains, swift and strong - Thousands upon thousands marching; you can hear their battle song; You can see their banners waving! O my country, 'tis for thee That they lift their voices, chanting, 'Mountaineers are always free!' Pennsylvania sends battalions - hundreds upon hundreds more; Massachusetts men are moving, from her hillsides and her shore; Maine, Vermont and staunch Ohio, catch the battle-cry, and go - How the Lord of Battles led them forth to victory well we know - How they saved the mighty Union, how they gave their lives that we In the paths of peace might wander, ever blessed, ever free. So we come to pay them homage, praying: O, Thou Lord of Light, Help us, as Thou helped our fathers, to climb up to Freedom's height. Greed and Lust and Wrong are waiting to withstand us on our way; Send us leaders, Lord of Wisdom, to uphold and guide Thy sway. [12] Military and School Parade. Reviewed by William Howard Taft, President of United. States; John K. Tener, Governor of Pennsylvania; Boies Penrose, U. S. Senator; and Other Distinguished Officials. From Altoona Mirror September 24, 1912. THE military and school parade, the most magnificent pageant that ever passed over the streets of Altoona, crowned a day that, as President's and Governor's Day of the semi-centennial anniversary of the Loyal War Governors' conference, will live in history as the greatest holiday ever observed by the Mountain City. Reviewed by William Howard Taft, president of the United States, Governor John K Tener, United States Senator Boies Penrose and a host of distinguished officials in military and civil life, representing the city, county, state and nation, and witnessed by throngs of people from the city and vicinity that probably numbered close to 100,000 people, the biggest pageant of the three days' celebration proved an unqualified success in every particular not even the people of the city itself having had the slightest idea before hand of the wonderful scope of the demonstration that took place this morning. While it was not known until early this morning, on account of the rains that have prevailed since the jubilee opened, whether or not it might be necessary to postpone the school parade until Friday, the rain fortunately held off, it not having rained after 3:30 this morning, and, about 6:30 Chief Marshal A. S. Stayer and those in charge of the parade determined to hold the program as originally mapped out; and, so well prepared were the participants that, on a moment's notice, practically all turned out and the full parade was held with results that far surpassed even the fondest hopes of the committees that have been working on its preparation for the past several weeks. Never before has so great a crowd of people been seen in the city as that which witnessed the parade this morning. Coming from every farm, village, town and city within a hundred miles of Altoona, the visitors began to arrive at daybreak and from that on every train, street car, farm wagon and every other vehicle that could be placed in service brought its quota of guests to the city, until long before the time for the parade to start every vantage point along the route was occupied, while the crowd on Eleventh avenue was so dense that absolutely all traffic through the business district had to be stopped until the parade was over at noon. The greatest crowed, of course, was along Eleventh avenue, between Eleventh and Thirteenth streets, and about the president's reviewing stand in the Logan house yard, the sidewalks being packed until not another person could crowd upon them, every window in every business house along the avenue being filled and hundreds thronging the roofs of the buildings stretching clear from Eleventh to Bridge streets. All along the route of parade, from the starting place at Sixth avenue and Fifth street, around the East Side and down past the Cricket field, thousands flocked, filling every inch of space, where a view could be gotten and, in spite of the fact that it was the biggest crowd Altoona ever handled, all passed off with wonderful regularity and ease, there being no trouble with the crowds at any point and the police maintaining perfect order throughout. All the streets over which the parade passed were roped off and the people on the sidewalks were uniformly eager to help the police by keeping strictly inside the ropes, Chief Tillard and his men having but little trouble in keeping them back, even where the press was greatest, at the official reviewing stand. Promptly at the hour designated, 9.30, the head of the parade column moved from Sixth avenue and Fifth street and, word having been received that President Taft and his party had arrived at the reviewing stand at Eleventh avenue and Twelfth street, there was but little delay at Fifteenth street, where they had been ordered to halt until the president was ready to view them. ALTOONA MIRROR'S SOUVENIR. 13 With this prompt start, it was just 10 o'clock when the head of the parade reached the reviewing stand. The pageant opened with a provisional escort composed of twenty-four automobiles filled with veterans of the Civil war, local and visiting members of the Grand Army of the Republic and the Union Veteran Legion and, all along the route the veterans received a tremendous ovation from the people, President Taft standing with uncovered head as they passed and the state flag at the reviewing stand being dipped in their honor. A platoon of cavalry, from the Sheridan troop of Tyrone, acting as mounted police, followed the veterans and formed an escort to the United States Marine band of Washington, the most famous band in the country, which was brought here especially for the occasion and which likewise received a great ovation from the crowd, it being the great band's first appearance in this city. Throughout the route of parade this band played almost continuously and made an impression on the people that will not soon be forgotten in Altoona. Owing to the rapidity with which the automobiles passed, there was a gap of fifteen minutes between the provisional escort and the main body of the Military division, which was led by the chief marshal of the parade, Colonel A. S. Stayer and aides on horseback, they being followed by Edwin M. Amies, marshal of the military division, and aides, also on horseback. Immediately following Marshal Amies, the veterans of the Civil war, who preferred to march, were given the place of honor at the head of the division and there were some 150 of them, aged soldiers who, having marched ever since the great struggle of fifty years ago, are still able to take part in patriotic demonstrations and, with representatives of the local G. A. R. posts and Union Veteran Legion, as well as some visiting veterans, they marched in excellent style, bringing forth a storm of applause from the people at every corner. The veterans were followed by the thirteenth Coast Artillery band and a detachment of the coast artillery corps from Fort Dupont, Del., there being 115 men in all, in band and corps, and the splendid marching and drilling of the regulars was a revelation to the people of Altoona. It has been many years since U. S. regulars paraded the streets of the city and they, too, got a great reception from the spectators. Following the regulars the Friendship drum corps led a batallion of the National Guard of Pennsylvania, composed, in succession, of Company L, Eighth regiment, Bedford; Company M, Twelfth regiment, Lewistown; Company E, Twelfth regiment, Bellefonte, and Company F, Eighth regiment, Huntingdon. Each of the companies had between 50 and 56, officers and men, and they presented a splendid appearance, marching in perfect order and drilling at places along the route for the benefit of the spectators. From the start of the route to the finish there was almost a continuous ovation for the next body in line, the old Fifth regiment drum corps, which saw service in the Spanish-American war and which was reorganized especially for this occasion, and the Veterans of Foreign Service, including Philippine, China and Spanish-American war veterans, who turned out with a company of nearly 200 men. Following them, the Stevens post, G. A. R., of Huntingdon, turned out some 65 marchers, the aged veterans receiving applause the same as had greeted their local comrades who went before. Never, before has so large a body of men, representing strictly military organizations, including the veterans of all wars and those now actually in either the state or national service, appeared at a public celebration here and the spectators were more than pleased with the showing made, judging from the storm of applause that greeted the soldiers everywhere they marched. However, even the soldiers, magnificent as they were, could scarcely vie in interest with the school division of the parade, which followed. For months the schools of the city have been preparing for the big pageant that was to do honor to the chief executive of the land and the memory of those loyal governors who upheld another and martyred chief executive during the darkest days of the nation's history, and today the pupils outdid themselves in the magnificence of their exhibition. With fully 10,000 pupils in the line of march, the marchers clad in many varied and attractive uniforms, and scores of beautifully decorated floats representing many scenes famous in the country's history, the school parade was undoubtedly the finest spectacle ever 14 ALTOONA MIRROR'S SOUVENIR. witnessed in the city and at times the crowd at different points, not satisfied with applause, broke into tremendous shouts of approval as some particularly unique or beautiful exhibit passed. There was not one school in the entire line, which took an hour and a half to pass the reviewing stand, either public or parochial, whether from the city or Juniata, that did not have some particularly original and unique display and the children as a whole acquitted themselves splendidly, their marching being of the highest order and their discipline and order perfect. While it would be almost impossible to say what school attracted the most attention, each having something that took the crowd, there was, of course, nothing in the whole parade that could equal the wonderful showing of the Altoona High school, with their new band composed of the boys of the school, the faculty's fine appearance in cap and gown, the excellent marching and drilling of the escort of boys and the beauty of the whole line. However, at every point in the line and especially at the president's stand, the climax of the entire parade came with the human flag formed by 221 of the girls of the High and Grammar schools. When this passed down Eleventh avenue the crowd went wild and practically every head in the whole great mass of spectators was uncovered in honor of the colors and the splendid drilling and marching of the girls who formed it. Webster School Leads Procession. Our own Altoona band, Prof. Jule A. Neff, conductor, marched proudly at the head of the school division of the parade. Prof. Henry H. Baish, city superintendent, was marshal. He was followed by his aides. Webster school, at Lexington avenue and Tenth street, was the first in line. Principal W. C. Ream was marshal. This school represented the first settlers of America - the Indians. With the exception of the principal every one in the parade wore an Indian costume. A magnificent specimen of a full-blooded Indian, Mr. Sinook, who is a resident of Altoona, led the school. His habit was a regulation Indian costume, hired specially for the occasion - he would have no other. He made a striking appearance, with his pony. At his side were Chiefs of the Red Men, which order turned out some thirty-five members, in full costume, to assist the school children. The stars and stripes and the school banner were carried well toward the head of the line. The children were divided into tribes, of which there were ten. The squaws of each tribe marched single file behind the warriors bold, and on their backs they carried papooses made of doll babies. Each tribe was led by a chief. The warriors walked abreast, and at either end of the line a member of the Red Men marched. The Red Men also guarded the floats, several walking on each side. The floats of the Webster school were attractive and drew expressions of praise all along the line. One represented two scenes - an Indian village with Minnehaha in the foreground; and Hiawatha, studying the topography from a ledge. Elizabeth McLaughlin, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. McLaughlin, was Minnehaha. Catherine Sutton, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Sutton, of Ninth street near Sixteenth avenue, was Hiawatha. Realistic touches were given this float by converting it into a veritable forest. Indians lounged about the village. In the trees animals were to be seen. The other float, pyramided with seats, carried the younger children of the school, those under 10 years of age. Both floats were artistically decorated, and the national colors played a prominent part, to be sure. Indian blankets covered the horses. All the teachers of the school participated in the parade. Each was garbed as a squaw. All told 167 children marched, while 63 were carried on the floats. Of the enrollment of the school 62 per cent. were in line. Emerson School. Following the Mount Union band came the pupils of the Emerson building, in the Fourth ward, 400 marchers being in line. They were marshaled by Principal J. J. Hamilton, who was ably assisted by a number of aides. The flag of the second was carried by Frederick Seidell, one of the pupils. The students represented the states of Delaware, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Georgia. Each state was represented by a company of fifty pupils; thus making four companies, two comprised of boys and two of girls. All wore plain blue sashes with the name of the state represented. Two elaborately decorated ALTOONA MIRROR'S SOUVENIR. 15 floats were drawn in the rear of the procession. These contained the smaller pupils of the school. The big flag at the head of the procession is one that saw service in the civil war. It is owned by Principal Hamilton, and was carried by four girls attired in white. The flag was carried through the war and was on the field at Fredericksburg, on December 13, 1862, at which time four native sons were wounded in bearing it. It contains but thirty stars. Following came the Emerson acrostic, carried by 160 of the pupils. The letters formed a line of march a square in length. Later came Principal Hamilton in charge of Company A, of fifty boys, representing one of the states. The state seal, painted on a huge banner was carried by one of the pupils, while four of the youngsters assisted in carrying the streamers from the staff. Three other companies followed, each of the state delegations being preceded by a banner bearing the seal of the state. The pupils were all attired in white blouses, with blue serge caps and dark trousers, the girls wearing white dresses. All carried red and white plumes, and wore a plain blue sash bearing the name of the state represented. The girls also wore pointed gold crowns, with an old English letter ƒE" inscribed. Washington School. Led by Principal H. H. Beacham, the Washington school showed up well with fully 200 boys and girls marching. In advance was carried the U. S. flag and the school banner, a big white banner with gold letters bearing the name, "Washington," the banner being carried by one of the boys, who was supported by four aides, carrying the streamers of the banner. The first division, which represented the state of Massachusetts, was composed of fifty boys, dressed in dark blue trousers, blue caps and white waists; fifty girls composed the second division, representing New Hampshire and being dressed in white, with sashes bearing the name of the state; the third division, fifty boys, represented South Carolina, they being dressed the same as the first division, save that they wore purple sashes, with the state's name in gold letters upon them; the fourth division, fifty girls, represented Maine, they all wearing red sashes and golden crowns, the whole presenting a very pretty appearance, though the girls and boys being separated. The first of the school's floats, carrying the small children, gave an excellent representation of that well known legend of history, the cutting down of the cherry tree by George Washington, George being there with his little hatchet, his actions calling forth much applause from the spectators. The second float carried the pupils of the first two grades, who were too small to walk and they had a very pretty float, trimmed with bunting and flags. The float bore also a large canvas sign, with the name of the school upon it. Jefferson School. The Jefferson school, at Fourth avenue and Second street, is one of the largest of the ward schools, and the showing was in keeping with the size. It was led by the Osterburg band. In addition to having 190 pupils afoot, this division contained six floats, four of which represented some important event in the nation's history. The schools were headed by the venerable Professor W. W. Osborne, who this year is teaching his sixtieth term of school in the state of Pennsylvania. Fifty of these terms have been in Altoona, and he has had three generations in his charge. The first float represented the state of Virginia. Here one of the most interesting episodes in the history of the new land was enacted and the incident was ably brought out by the children on the float. The episode is no other than the rescue of the brave and fortunate Captain John Smith, who, just as he was to have his head crushed by trusty warriors in whose hands he fell, was saved by the dusky, but no less lovely, Pocahontas, daughter of the old Indian Chief Powhatan. These characters and others of subsequent periods were ably portrayed. The second float represented New York and some of the early characters of this colony were represented. The body of the float represented the "Half Moon," the good old ship on which Henry Hudson, the Dutch explorer, sailed up the river which now bears his name. Peter Stuyvesant, the most prominent of the old Dutch governors, hopping about on a wooden leg, was seen. A typical Dutch maiden was likewise on this float. North Carolina is represented on the 16 ALTOONA MIRROR'S SOUVENIR. third float. Sir Walter Raleigh, who found tobacco and the potato in the new world, and who introduced both in England, is here portrayed. A field of rice gives employment to many pickaninnies. A forest of pine trees, another source of revenue in this state, is also to be seen. Roger Williams is the central figure in the float representing Rhode Island. This well-known apostle of religious freedom, and whose teachings resulted in his banishment from the Massachusetts colony, is seen talking with the Indian friends who took him in during the cold of winter, and thus ended his exile. Anne Hutchison, another original thinker, who was likewise banished from the old Plymouth colony, and who fled to the new haven of liberty established in the country which is now Rhode Island, is also represented by one of the girls. The fifth and sixth floats were loaded with children who were too small to march. Adams School. The Adams school, Sixth avenue and Twenty-fourth street, with Professor L. C. Smith, principal, made one of the best showings in the long pageant. Teachers, pupils and patrons worked untiringly to make the demonstration a success, and their efforts bore results. Professor Smith led the division. A large United States flag was carried at the head, while three girls, riding ponies, bore the banner of the school. The banner had a white field, with lettering in gold. Fifty girls wearing blue hair ribbons and carrying blue plumes, typical of the "Blue Grass State," represented Kentucky. Back of them marched fifty more girls, representing Tennessee. Each carried a flag. These girls, as well as the ones in the company ahead, wore sashes, with letters in gold bearing the name of the state. The state of Vermont was represented by one hundred boys, who were attired in Green Mountain uniforms, consisting of a green tie and cap, and each carried a green pennant. Following the marchers were two wagons, representing the state of Ohio. Between 150 and 200 small children rode on these wagons. The American flag was prominent in the decorations and the word "Ohio" was given in large letters. Another float represented the War Governors' Conference. In the midst of the float was a table, around which sat a number of governors in conference. At each corner of the float was a pedestal in the shape of a huge goblet, in which sat a girl holding a parasol. Each girl likewise held a white ribbon, and the four ribbons centered to a point above the war governors' table, where two doves were found. The doves held the ends of the ribbons in their mouths. The four girls represented the four corners of the United States, north, east, south and west, and the doves, emblematic of peace, showed that now there is peace in all parts of the country. A fourth float showed what is being done in the Adams school. Black mercerized muslin, arranged to represent black boards, surrounded the float. On the boards, in crayons, were found specimens of the work done by pupils and teachers. There were drawings of various kinds and work in various branches. The exhibit was most interesting. The teachers of the school rode in this float. Irving School. Principal Harry C. Smith of the Seventh ward school, marshaled the pupils of the Irving building and 250 of the pupils were in line. The pupils represented Louisiana and Indiana. Three floats were in the line of march. First in line came the color bearers, two of the pupils carrying huge flags while another in the center carried the school banner. Four companies of marchers were formed, Company A containing boys, wearing Cardinal caps, tie and sash representing the state of Louisiana. Two markers with drums formed at the head of the division. The teachers paraded in the rear of the principal. Company B contained forty-eight girls who were attired in white dresses, and one large hair ribbon, with a royal purple sash bearing the name of the state they represented. Each wore an orange and purple band on their sleeve. Company C contained the fifty-six boys who formed the division representing Indiana. They were headed by drummers. Company D was composed of forty-three girls marching with markers and drummers. They represented Illinois. The first float in line represented Illinois, and the products of the soil were displayed. The second float represented Indiana, where a farm scene was portrayed. The third was trimmed in orange and white and represented Louis- ALTOONA MIRROR'S SOUVENIR. 17 iana, with a cotton picking scene by darkies. The pupils were in charge of two of the patrons of the school, Mrs. Shellenberger and Miss Amelia Irwin. The teachers were attired in white and the ladies carried white parasols. The aides were dressed in black suits and white caps. The pupils gave several exhibitions in drilling, a bugle being used to denote the style of the drill. Madison School's Display. Maine, Alabama and Missouri were the states portrayed by the pupils of the Madison school in the Eighth ward. Over 200 marchers were in line, and they were marshaled by Principal J. B. Bowles, assisted by Assistant Principal H. A. Heverly. One of the pupils marched at the head of the procession with Old Glory unfurled to the breeze and following in order came the standard of the school painted in blue and gold. Three floats were in the line. The first the state of Alabama, famous for its cotton fields and plantations. The wagon was fitted out portraying a cotton field, and the genuine cotton plants were placed on the floats. The plants were shipped here through the efforts of the ward citizens from James H. Turner of Carrolton, Ga. The pupils were blackened and attired as colored people picking the cotton. Maine was represented on the float by a large number of stately pine trees, with the pupils roaming through the pine forest. Missouri was represented on the third float, and it is a four-mule team drawing a load of corn, with the pupils attired as farmers and farm hands. The horses and mules drawing the teams were blanketed with banners bearing the names of the states. The pupils all wore sashes, and were attired in white. The girls wore three point gold crowns. A banner bearing the date of the conference of the loyal war governors, and the present date, was carried at the head of the procession. Miller School. One of the prettiest pictures of the parade was that presented by the Miller school, located at Margaret and Union avenues, with 315 pupils and three beautiful floats in the line of parade. Following a band, Principal M. A. Dively led the school, followed by 200 well drilled boys and girls marching, while 115 of the smaller children rode in floats. Preceding Principal Dively and the marchers one of the boys, riding horseback, carried an elaborate banner of purple and white, bearing the name of the school, while two smaller boys, marching, carried the streamers of the banner. The marching pupils, 50 in each division, represented four states, Arkansas, Michigan, Florida and Texas, each division being headed by a boy carrying a white banner, with the name of the state upon it. In the Arkansas division the boys wore dark trousers and white shirts and the girls wore white dresses, all wearing red sashes, the boys having red neckties, the girls red bows in their hair and all carrying Japanese parasols. Representing Michigan, the boys wore dark trousers and white shirts, the girls white dresses, all wore blue sashes, ribbons and neckties, while the boys carried blue paper plumes and the girls wore blue paper caps with streamers and rosettes. The Florida section, dressed similarly, wore pink sashes, the boys wearing white ties and the girls pink ribbons in their hair, and all carried large hoops trimmed with flowers. This division created a favorable impression when they halted for a moment in front of the president's stand and gave an unique drill with the flower decked hoops. The last division, Texas, with pupils dressed like the others, save that they wore yellow sashes, yellow neckties and hair ribbons, was distinguished by the pupils having a golden colored crown on their heads, with a star in the centre, representing the "Lone Star" state. Last came the floats carrying the younger pupils, 115 in number. The first float, that of the Third grade, was an unusually beautiful one, it being drawn by two magnificent, coal black horses, decorated with purple and gold plumes, while the entire float was a mass of purple and gold. It was a large float, built up from the centre, with the seats facing either side, while, from posts built up on the corners a canopy of flowers, morning glories and yellow crysanthemums covered the whole, while the body of the float was covered with purple and gold bunting. The pupils were all seated, the girls wearing white dresses and hair ribbons. while the boys wore dark trousers, white shirts and black bow ties, each pupil, 18 ALTOONA MIRROR'S SOUVENIR. alternately, carrying a purple or gold plume. The Second grade pupils rode in a float somewhat similar, though the seats were built up from the two ends and the entire float was trimmed in red, white and blue bunting, the children all carrying small flags. The First grade pupils, the tiniest tots in the school, rode in a float trimmed all in white, were all dressed in pure white from head to foot and carried white plumes. The seats in this float were built up in the centre from all four corners and the whole presented a splendid appearance. Fairview School. The pupils of the Fairview school worked out a neat scheme, the 150 pupils who marched behind Principal C. W. Corbin carrying a rope of flowers and the effect being a very pretty one. The school's banner of white preceded the whole and was carried by several of the larger boys. Following the marchers came the first float, representing California, which was decked out in morning glories and jack roses, the scheme of decoration being a very pretty one and the float carrying thirty-six girls. The second float, Wisconsin, had fifty small boys, dressed in blue caps, white shirts and black trousers and wearing red neckties. This float was very elaborately decorated with draped bunting and flags. The third float, Iowa, carried both boys and girls, being drawn by four horses and having fifty children riding in it; while the last float, "The Golden Gate," contained all the smaller children. Millville School. That part of the history of the United States which had to do with the opening of the great northwest was represented in the float which composed a part of the demonstration made by the Millville schools, H. K. Smith, principal. The float represented the states of Oregon and Minnesota. The bed of the float was a huge boat and Lewis and Clark, the pioneer fur traders, were to be seen. This expedition had much to do with the opening of the northwest territory. The girls of the school were dressed in white with broad sashes with the names of the state on them. Their heads were without covering. The boys were attired in light shirts, dark trousers and caps. Indians were scattered about on the float. Sheafs of golden grain, with fruit and other products of that fertile region, represented the modern northwest. Kegs of salmon taken from the Columbia river were typical of a source of export. There were 124 children on foot and the demonstration was a most excellent one. The Lilly cornet band headed this division and the children kept good time to the patriotic airs. Franklin School. Benjamin Franklin setting type and operating a printing press and publishing the first magazine in the country, was designed on a float in the parade of the Sixth ward school pupils. The marchers were marshaled by Principal D. L. Hoffman. The boys were attired in white caps and blouses and dark trousers. Each division was drilled to perfection, and the girls all wore different costumes. First in line came the banner bearer with the name of the school in addition to a color bearer with an American flag. Following came forty girls of the school gaily attired and carrying sun flower parasols representing the state of Kansas. The state of Virginia was represented by forty-four girls, each wearing artistic and patriotic headgear. The state of Nevada was represented by eighty-five of the male students of the school. All were attired as miners, with the miners' lamp caps. Each carried a miniature pick across his shoulder. All the students wore sashes bearing the name of the state they represented. The first float in line represented an old fashioned country school room, the younger students of the school taking the part of the characters. The float was neatly decorated. The divisions of the marchers were sub-marshaled by the teachers of the school. Wright School. With 444 marchers in line, the Wright school in the Third ward, followed, the pupils representing the states of North and South Dakota and Colorado. The students were marshaled by Principal Ira S. Walcott. First in line was Festus Hollinger, the janitor, who, acted as color bearer, carrying a huge American flag. Next came the school banner bearing ALTOONA MIRROR'S SOUVENIR. 19 the name of the school and the district. The banner was red, painted in gold, and was carried by one of the students. Following this was the general float, fitted out as a pararie schooner, of the style used by the early settlers in the western states. The wagon was symbolic of the first methods of travel in the days of the pioneers: After the general float came sixteen of the male students attired as Indians, as the first settlers. Later came the cowboys, sixteen in number, the second owners of the land, thirdly the miners, sixteen in number, and lastly sixteen pupils attired as farmers, the present owners of the land. Four platoons of pupils followed the general float and four wagons, each representing one of the states, was filled with the smaller pupils. The marchers were attired in white, the girls wearing white dresses and carrying umbrellas, while the boys had white caps, white blouses and dark trousers. All the pupils wore purple sashes bearing the name of the state they represented. All the floats were elaborately decorated in red, white and blue, and the students on the wagons carried banners designating the state they represented. Penn School. Representing the states of Washington, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming, came the students of the Penn school, under Marshal J. H. Cessna, principal of the school. Two hundred children were marching while 130 pupils were carried on the floats. First in line appeared the banner, which was carried by three pupils, Arthur Means, Robert Lehman and Fred Gleichert. The banner was painted in green and gold with black lettering, with the word "Penn" inscribed thereon. A hugh pen formed the spear at the end of the pole. Old Glory was carried by the janitor, Frank Smith, after whom came the general float, portraying the treaty of William Penn with the Indians William Penn was represented by Denver Mason, and he was attired in the quaint Quaker costume. The float was decorated to represent the scene of the signing of the treaty, and a hugh oak tree was planted on the wagon. Many Indians and Quakers formed the group around the tree. Next in line came the marshal in charge of Company A, which represented the state of Washington. This was formed entirely of girls. At the head of the delegation rode Lucian Root, a pupil of the school, attired as George Washington, mounted upon a white pony. The girls were attired in white and carried flags. All wore sashes with the inscription Washington. The next float represented Montana and was preceded by a company of fifty boys. The third float represented Wyoming, and the last Idaho. All the boys wore white caps and blouses, and dark trousers. The pupils riding on the floats carried banners bearing the name of the state they represented. The wagons were decorated in red, white and blue. The horses drawing the floats were blanketed, each blanket bore the name of the state. The floats were decorated under the direction of the Second Ward Civic association, who had charge of the feature part of the Penn school parade. Garfield School. The four baby states of the Union, Utah, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Arizona, the latest states to be admitted to the sisterhood, were represented by the Garfield school. The pupils showed the careful training which they had received at the hands of their principal, Professor Miles W. Black, and his corps. Boys and girls to the number of 216 were on foot while there were twenty-four more children on the float. The float which was emblematic of the four baby states was represented each by six children, there being four seats on the float. The marchers were appropriately attired. Four aides, one for each state, were in full uniform with white shirts and trousers and blue ties. They wore the Garfield regalia of pale blue silk with gilt fringe and appropriate lettering. At the head of each of the four divisions was carried a banner on which was inscribed the name of the state. The marching of the children was a fine exhibition and rounds of applause greeted the division all along the line. Two drummers marched in the center of the division. The Hastings band led the school and rendered an excellent program of music along the way. Stevens School. The island possessions - Hawaii, the Philippines and Porto Rica - and Alaska, 20 ALTOONA MIRROR'S SOUVENIR. were represented in the parade by the pupils of the Stevens building. The students were marshaled by the principal, W. N. Decker, and he was assisted in the work by the able corps of teachers. The school banner bearing the inscription "Stevens school," was carried by the school janitor. The banner was painted in gold. Thirty-two boys formed the first company in the line of march. They represented Hawaii, and each of the girl marchers wore a silver crown. The third company represented the Philippines with thirty-two impersonating the island inhabitants. The fourth company contained thirty-six girls representing Porto Rica. All the companies were preceded by a flag bearer. Four floats were in the line of march. The first represented Alaska and the island possession of Hawaii. One-half of the float was used by the Eskimos, who were sitting around a small hut erected in the body of the wagon. The pupils were attired as Eskimos. The other half portrayed the life in the Hawaiian islands, and pictured the King and Queen. The characters were taken by the smaller pupils. America was pictured in the center ruling both possessions. The second float represented the Philippines and Porto Rica. The present two governors of the islands were attired in the costume of Spain and America and sat in opposite corners on the float. The other two floats were elaborately decorated and carried the smaller children of the school. High and Central Grammar Schools. Following the recently organized High school band of thirty pieces came the High school faculty of twenty-eight members. Each was attired in cap and gown, and presented an imposing appearance. The marchers formed in columns of four each. They were marshalled by Principal George D. Robb. The band members were nattily attired in regulation band uniforms. The coats were a bright red and close fitting, while the trousers were black, with a wide purple braid, extending from the hip to the cuff. Next in order came the human flag, formed by the students of the Altoona High school and the Central Grammar school. The flag was formed by 221 pupils, all girls, the majority coming from the Central Grammar school. They were in charge of the Misses Euphemia Heilman and Blanche E. Bender. All were attired in white dresses and shoes. The girls all carried parasols of red and white. In addition, forty-eight of them carried the stars which formed the color scheme. The students marched in lines twenty feet in width and forty feet in length, each line being fourteen inches apart, so the parasols touched. The marchers in the flag were escorted by thirty-four of the male members of the senior class, seventeen attired as the army men and seventeen as members of the navy. Next came the Repasz band of Williamsport, followed by the color guard of the Senior High school girls. The girls were gaily attired and wore sashes bearing the name Pennsylvania, which state was represented by the students of the High and Central Grammar schools. Principal W. H. Burd followed as marshal of the Central Grammar, and then came the faculty, fourteen in number. They were also attired in cap and gown. Next in line was the Jaffa Temple band, which headed the remaining students of the two schools. Over 1,000 marchers were in the line, and each wore a sash with the name of the state represented. The Central Grammar school pupils formed a separate platoon in advance of the High school pupils. A pennant representing the school was carried by the pupils. The banner contained the facsimile of President Lincoln, as the building is named after the great president. Four companies were represented and they were marshaled by Fred Wicker, Harry Sommers, Arthur V. and Earl Morrow. St. John's Parochial School. Rev. Morgan M. Sheedy marshaled the pupils of St. John's parochial schools. Two hundred boys over 10 years of age were in line. One hundred of this total were attired in the suits of the United States army, the other hundred in the uniforms of the navy. The pupils were drilled to perfection. Following the marchers was the float representing the court of Spain, on the return of Christopher Columbus after the discovery of the new world. The central characters, King Ferdinand, Queen Isabelle, Columbus and the ladies in waiting were represented by the smaller members of the school. A number ALTOONA MIRROR'S SOUVENIR. 21 of the girls were attired as Spanish maidens wearing the costume of Spain. Columbus was represented as presenting the king and queen with gifts from the new world. A number of boys were attired as Indians which Columbus brought from the new world. Three girls representing Faith, Hope and Charity adorned the front of the float. Each carried a floral design of heart, cross and anchor, respectively. Columbia, or the Goddess of Liberty was represented on the rear of the float. The color scheme was red, white and blue. The characters were taken by the following: Queen Isabelle, Marie DeBarber; attendants, Rose DeBarber and Gwendolin Story; King Ferdinand, Raymond Sheedy; courtiers, George Brantlinger and Joseph Eckenrode; Columbus, William Allen; pages, Weston Ivory and Herbert Stoltz; Indians, Paul Kelly and Albert Lang; Faith, Alice O'Toole; Hope, Mary Inlow; Charity, Catharine Holland. Homer Ivory acted as general of the army and rode at the head of the marchers on a black steed. Francis Cowan represented Commodore Perry, and had charge of the navy. St. Mark's. Sixteen pupils carrying a huge American flag formed the head of the delegation representing St. Mark's parochial school. The youngsters were attired in blue uniforms. The students were marshaled by the principal, Father Egan. A squad of eighty of the male students followed. The students were well drilled and gave a number of exhibitions. A feature of the St. Mark's school was the presence of two squads of girls, sixteen in number, being attired in the national colors, red, white and blue. They were supported by a guard of six boys who were also attired in red, white and blue. Next came two of the junior members of the school, Albert Cartland and Irene Otterbine, riding in a pony cart. They were attired in the national colors, and carried the banner of the St. Mark's school. The float in line portrayed the King and Queen of Fairyland, on a throne surrounded by their court, which was composed of thirty pupils. Mary Reifsteck, attired in male costume took the part of the King, while Mary Fels was attired as Queen. Both wore gaudy costumes. On the second and third floats in the line of march came the smaller children of the school. Ss. Peter and Paul's. The pupils of the SS. Peter and Paul Catholic school were headed by the members of the Polish brass band. Following came 24 of the pupils, the girls wearing white caps and dresses, with red sashes and the boys blue caps, trimmed in red. All the children carried American flags. The float carried 24 boys and 25 girls. It represented a court scene, with the principal character, the Queen of Poland chained to a cross. She was surrounded by her court. The Polish Queen wore a gold crown. Columbia was also portrayed on the float, and she was decorated with a gold crown with a star and coat of arms of the United States. The marchers were marshaled by Joseph Burk, principal. St. James Lutheran. A float represented the St. James Evangelical Lutheran school in the parade. The float contained about sixty children gathered about a May pole. The children were sitting on the steps around the pole holding the streamers. The girls were attired in white and wore a red, white and blue sash. The boys were dressed in blue and wore blue caps. The float was drawn by four horses. The Juniata Schools. The directors, President A. C. Landis, Dr. R. J. Hillis, J. W. Lees, A. R. Berryman, P. E. Bishop, J. W. Fleck and A. C. Beaver led the Juniata schools in an automobile. Superintendent M. B. Wineland, chief marshal, and his aides, Mr. W. A. Geesey, Mr. J. E., Walter, Mr. S. Smith, Mr. H. A. Wertz and Mr. Birch R. Ober, mounted, led the company of boys numbering about 200. Following the boys were the floats of the various schools which for beauty has surpassed anything of the kind ever produced before in Juniata, numbering in all seventeen, as follows: McKinley building, High school, the seniors, a "Red Cross society" in charge of the senior girls. The Junior class was represented by a May pole and seventeen girls dressed in the shades of the rainbow. The sophomore class, in charge of 22 ALTOONA MIRROR'S SOUVENIR. Miss Barbara Wertz, representing the month of June, nineteen girls in color effect of red and white, were gowned to represent roses. The girls were seated in the form of a pyramid. Section No. 1 of the freshmen, in charge of Miss Isabel Morrison, represented the different nations and were so costumed. The float was decorated with the flags of the different nations. The second division of the freshmen was an elaborate display of "Spring," in charge of Miss Georgia Moore. The float was profusely decorated with peach trees in full bloom, overhung with green leaves, butterflies and birds flying about, The girls were gowned in white with pink crowns of roses. Each carried a parasol which was covered with pink flowers. The Keystone building had two floats, the "Goddess of Liberty," with the loyal states of the north and Miss Columbia and Uncle Sam, with the thirteen original colonies. The "Goddess of Liberty" was represented by Miss Jessie Cox, Miss Columbia by Miss Emily Lauver and Uncle Sam by Alfred Lauver. The Logan school, Central Grammar building, had five floats. The eighth grade float was trimmed in white, draped with tinsel. There were fifty girls dressed in white costumes and crowns trimmed with stars. The seventh grade float was trimmed in Japanese colors, red and white. It carried forty girls dressed as Japanese maids and carrying Japanese parasols. Grade No. 6's float was trimmed in green and white and carried twenty girls, all dressed in white and wearing red, white and blue caps and sashes. Grade No. 5's float was trimmed with red, white and blue bunting. Fifty small boys and girls rode, The girls were dressed in Martha Washington costume. The boys wore the regular soldier caps. The fourth grade had a handsome turn out, profusely decorated with bunting and carried over forty scholars. The Logan building floats were in charge of Miss Bell Woomer and Miss Edna Sausser, and Miss Hannah Baugh, Miss Alma Bitner, Miss Mabelle Norris, Miss Cora Brunner, Miss Olive Shellenberger, Miss Bueller, Miss Thompson, Miss Emily Sayres and Harry Boyles. The Noble school building was represented by three floats, "The May Flower," "Loyal War States" and "Thirteen Original States." The "May Flower" was represented by a boat 8x20 feet, in pure white, a good reproduction of the original landing of the Pilgrims in 1620. There were thirty-six boys and girls on the boat, representing the Pilgrims, who were in charge of Miss Margaret Howland and Miss Mary Gregory. The "Loyal War States" were represented by a beautiful float with thirty-five children. Abraham Lincoln was represented by Elmer Shaner. "The Thirteen Original States" was in charge of Miss Jennie Brumbaugh, each state being represented by a pupil. McKinley building, grade No. 5's float, was in charge of Miss Alma Brumbaugh. The float represented "Autumn." About fifty children, dressed up in leaves to represent autumn, made a fine appearance. [23] W. C. WESTFALL, Civic and Industrial Parade. J. E. SHUTE, Auto Parade. COL. A. S. STAYER, Military and School Children's Parade. H. J. CORNMAN, Industrial Parade. [24] GEO. F. MARSH, Chairman Invitations Committee. C. A. PRESTON, Chairman of Transportation Committee. E. B. GREENE, Chairman of Decorations Committee. L. Z. REPLOGLE, Hotels and Entertainment. [25] The Formal Anniversary. President Taft, Governor Tener and Professor Sparks, Principal Speakers at Patriotic Exercises in Tented Auditorium. From Altoona Mirror September 25, 1912. Prayer by Rev. Jacobs. FOLLOWING was the invocation offered by the Rev. Dr. Horace Lincoln Jacobs, pastor of the First Methodist church, at the opening of the meeting: "Great and glorious God, our faithful Father, worthy of every tribute of thanks, adoration and obedience, accept our many acknowledgements of Thy providence and grace, our sincere confessions and our loyal resolves. In the measure of Thine infinite mercy, vouchsafe the blessings of Thy leadership, favor, wisdom and help to our favored land and people and their chief executive, the president of these United States, to our own Keystone commonwealth and its governor and our many sister states, and to our own community and its mayor, and, we pray Thee, to all visitors and citizens. Cause this historic anniversary to be fruitful in patriotism and in vision for an achieving nation. Create within us a holy hatred for sin, which is a reproach to every people. Energize as with a large love for that righteousness which exalteth a nation. O Father, fulfill our prayers. O mighty Son of God, strengthen us. O eternal Spirit, guide us. Amen." Chairman Hicks' Address. General Chairman J. D. Hicks, who introduced Mayor Walker, spoke as follows: "My fellow citizens - In the presence of these distinguished guests, I desire publicly to thank the citizens of Altoona who made it possible for the success that is attending our efforts to properly commemorate the meeting of the loyal governors of the northern states that convened in this city fifty years ago on this day. Since the meeting of the great men at the Logan House at that time, who met to confer concerning the ways and means to preserve this Union and maintain the honor and integrity of the flag of our fathers, the beautiful Stars and Stripes, great and wonderful has been the advancement of our common country, and we are now a world power. At that time dark clouds hung over the nation. The armies of the Union had been defeated and the triumph of treason seemed at hand. It was then that the loyal governors of the great north met in Altoona, and in solemn conference, with proper deliberation, decided to sustain President Lincoln, and to spend, if necessary, the last dollar, and to give up the last man, to preserve our integrity as a nation, and to maintain the Union established by our fathers. "To preserve the memory of these patriotic men, and of that conference, is the object of this anniversary occasion, and I rejoice in this distinguished presence that their efforts to preserve the integrity of our country, and our efforts to immortalize the great historical event, as was then, is now, successful, and we have the honor of having as our guests the president of the United States, the Hon. William Howard Taft, and the governor of our commonwealth, the Hon. John K. Tener, and other distinguished persons to aid in properly celebrating this event. "To do them honor, as well as the event we celebrate, has been the object of this committee that has had this matter in charge, and I with you, and you with me, rejoice together in the greatness of our country, the preservation of the Union, the glory of our flag, and the perpetuation of the government of our fathers." Welcome by Mayor Walker. Chairman J. D. Hicks introduced Mayor Simon H. Walker, who delivered the address of welcome to the guests of honor. He said: "Mr. Chairman, Your Excellencies and My Fellow-Citizens: "Fifty years have rolled backward since the day when Andrew G. Curtin, Pennsylvania's great war governor, sat on the banks of the Susquehanna pondering how best he should hold up the hands of the great commander-in-chief on the banks of the Potomac. With the clear vision of inspired patriotism, these two apostles of freedom saw that the time was freighted with tremendous possibilities of disaster or triumph, and 26 ALTOONA MIRROR'S SOUVENIR. the trend was toward irretrievable disaster. "But the heart of the great man in the executive mansion at Harrisburg was not dismayed. Seeing the silver lining of the dark clouds that hung over the land, he tested the pulse of the states that had remained loyal, and finding them beating true and strong, called that memorable council of governors, whose action was to turn backward the tide of secession and save the union of states. In looking about for a convenient point to hold the council, Governor Curtin placed Altoona forever upon the map by putting his finger upon the big hotel perched on the side of the rock-ribbed Alleghenies, and the spot light of history has shone upon the Logan House ever since. "It is a great event we celebrate; the longer the perspective the larger it looms. For even the mighty Lincoln had his human limitations and had not such as Curtin and his kind come to the rescue at this critical time, the floods might have swallowed him. So here, near the great eastern divide where the mountain springs start flowing to the sea on the one side, and to the father of waters on the other, it is fitting that we should set up a memorial to the fathers who planned so wisely, so bravely and well. "It is a time for great thankfulness and high thought, and without further words I welcome you all, to the celebration of that which meant so much for our country and our common good." Miss Frances Pierpont Siviter, of Pittsburgh, grand-daughter of War Governor Francis H. Pierpont of Virginia, and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Sivitor of Pittsburgh, read the commemorative poem of the loyal War Governors' conference. The poem was written especially for the occasion by Mrs. Siviter, who is a daughter of Governor Pierpont, one of the participants in the conference. See page 11. Speech of Governor Tener. In introducing President Taft at the big tent meeting, Governor John K. Tener said: "Mr. President and Fellow-Citizens: I am very glad to be able to be present on this occasion and more than glad to be presiding as chairman over an occasion of this kind, especially in the city of Altoona. Altoona is known all over the country as a city where her citizens own their own homes. In fact, a greater majority of the citizens own their own homes, than any other city in the country. (Applause.) This shows in her, and justly shows, good citizenship in her people, as the highest type of good citizenship is the owning of one's own home. I am, therefore, very glad to be here today in my official capacity. I also observe that there are no other governors here at this time. They are probably fair weather friends, but there is too much Irish in me to be afraid of a little rain. (Laughter.) I am also glad to be present upon such an occasion, the fiftieth anniversary of the Loyal War Governors' conference. Very well I know, that should you have to pick the brightest star from the flag, you would pick the star which represents Pennsylvania. You would pick the most glorious one, the brightest one in all the field of blue and call it Pennsylvania. "As the speaker before me said, it is just fifty years ago this afternoon, when the Loyal War Governors, seated in the Logan House in this city, called together by Andrew G. Curtin, formulated plans for the preserving of the union. You may have read that in the progress of the war, when men were losing their courage, it was suggested to Lincoln that he settle the war and end it at any price. At the time when the south slid from the north for the cause of the confederacy, men offered up their lives for the great cause and as it is with us when we are in trouble, and are asked what can be done to help us, that is just what this meeting of the Loyal War Governors proposed to do. Andrew G. Curtin, Pennsylvania's great war governor, then called into conference at Altoona the executives of the fourteen loyal states, and they resolved then and there to stand back of Lincoln and promised him not only their personal support, but the entire support of their states; so Pennsylvania in that conflicting time, took its place in that great cause, which plan was the suggestion of our great Governor Curtin. After an interval of some eight months the great battle of Gettysburg was fought and which became the turning point of the great war, and as we all know, out of that struggle came a united people, and not that only, but a united government serving under one grand flag. In those perilous times it is well to remember that Pennsylvania ALTOONA MIRROR'S SOUVENIR. 27 loomed up conspicuously. In hunting up some records, I find that the first man in the service and the last man killed by a bullet from the enemy was a member of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Volunteer infantry. So Pennsylvania has its place. "At this time there has come to you as your special guest here today that courageous man, that brainy man, that ever pleasant man, and I have the extreme honor and distinguished pleasure of introducing to you our chief executive, Hon. William H. Taft." The President's Address. Following Governor Tener's introduction, President Taft arose and was given a splendid ovation by the big crowd in the tent this afternoon. The president's address in full was as follows: "Governor Tener, Ladies and Gentlemen and Fellow Citizens: "I thank your distinguished governor, up to whom I always look with pleasure, (laughter and applause) for his kindly greetings. I am glad to be your guest on this occasion. I always like to come with the grand old commonwealth of Pennsylvania, (great applause) because, for one reason, you are more given to doing than to talking, (applause) and that is a substantial citizenship. "I congratulate the city of Altoona, and her enterprising and patriotic people, upon the great festival which has been organized here to celebrate this great historic event. No one could have stood as I had the honor to stand on the reviewing platform and see that procession of the next generation of the citizens of Altoona, and not understand why it is that this is one of the happiest, most intelligent, and most moral communities in the country (Great applause.) And as there filed past me those lively youngsters and those beautiful girls and young ladies, representing all the states of the Union, and all the territories of the United States, it was impossible not to feel forced upon you the greatness of this country, upon this day, the happiness of her people and the gratitude which we should feel toward our God, for the heighth in our history which we have reached in the matter of the intelligence of our people, in the matter of their industrial success, in the matter of their moral strength and in the general happiness that prevails from one end of this country to the other beneath the starry flag, and among her one hundred millions of people, ninety between our oceans and ten in our ocean dependencies, constituting our population. "And today, right in the harvest times, we are garnering crops that make necessary the greatest prosperity that has ever blessed this country, and we are today where every man and every woman may have work if they will, (applause) and wages of the highest, and the individual happiness of everyone averages higher than ever before. "Now, my friends, why do I dwell on that fact today, borne in upon me by the procession of beautiful children that filed by us this morning, evidencing happy comfortable homes, and moral teachers in the schools and in the homes? It is because this is the fiftieth anniversary of a day as different in respect to the happiness of the people and prospects before them as day is from night. "Fifty years ago today, we were in the throes of rebellion, the like of which have never been seen in the world before, and I pray may never be seen in the world again. (Applause.) "We were torn apart, brothers and sisters, families, all America, and we were struggling to do what? To lift ourselves up and to cut out the cancer of slavery that had been the cause of it all, and we had been trying for two years to bring about a better condition of affairs and bring back the erring sisters, to compel them to come in the Union again. "Now, my friends, what I want to bring to your attention, and what so frequently we lose sight of, is: That the task which was before Abraham Lincoln and those who supported him, to reasonable people, to cold, calculating people, seemed almost impossible. It is true that the North had more people, had more capital, but what the North had to do under those conditions was not to defeat an enemy, not to drive out of the territory of the North an enemy, what they had to do was to subdue nearly an equal force over a territory half a continent wide, to bring them into the Union again by compulsion, and that task was greatly more than the task of the confederacy in merely keeping the North out and maintaining a status quo, in which they were separated from the North. "They only wanted to be let alone. 28 ALTOONA MIRROR'S SOUVENIR. We had to, under God, bring them back in the Union, in order that they and we might enjoy the inestimable blessings of that aggregation of people who were brothers and sisters and should have remained so. Now with that problem before him, what was the condition? It is true that General Grant had won the battle of Donelson and Fort Henry, both in the east, while General McClellan had succeeded in training a magnificent army, he was as President Lincoln said, troubled with the "slows," and he could never get the army ready to fight because it was always lacking in horses, shoes or something else. He had been dismissed from the command and then brought back, manifesting that uncertainty of aim that was calculated to discourage those who were most intense in their sympathies of the cause of the north in the north, and to encourage those in the north, of whom we all know there were only too many, we would like to forget it now, who sympathized with the cause of the south in that controversy. "Just at that time your great war governor, Andrew G. Curtin (applause) concluded that while the war governors had been working and helping along the cause as well as they could, that the time had come when three hundred thousand additional troops were necessary in order to accomplish the task before the federal government, and so he suggested to Mr. Seward whom he met in New York that it might be a good thing to call together the loyal governors and have them speak out, and tell the president how they sympathized with him, and how they were determined to uphold his hands. "My friends, if you ever had any responsibility, you may know the difference between the committee that comes to express you their sympathy in what you are doing and then spends most of the time in telling you how many mistakes you have made (laughter and applause) and that other committee that comes in and says: 'Old man, we are with you to the end.'(Great applause) That was what Andrew G. Curtin proposed to do and he told Mr. Seward so, and Mr. Seward told President Lincoln, and the great president said: 'Let us have them,' and they had them. "So these loyal war governors came here, some of them could not come in person and sent representatives, but they came and they did not have any reporters present, but they just sat there and talked it out, in that room in the Logan House, in which we've lunched today, and then after they talked it out, and got into their minds what they were going to do and say, they went down to Washington on the 27th and through Governor Andrews of Massachusetts, another hero who occupies a pedestal in the hall of fame, drafted an address to President Lincoln. "I want you to read that address. There were no 'buts' or 'ifs' nor 'ands'; there were no suggestions as to what the president should do and that he had done something which he should not have done or that there should be a complete change; there was one suggestion that they would like to raise 100,000 additional troops to have them in reserve, and then they did what was very dear to the heart of President Lincoln, because but two days before he had issued his proclamation of emancipation. They said we are with you and we rejoice with you that you have taken the step. "Now, friends, there was no relation of a casual character between that meeting of the governors and the proclamation, although a great many people who criticized the governors and were opposed to the proclamation said there was, but there was a casual connection between them in that, when President Lincoln had taken this step, it was of the utmost importance that he should carry the country with him, and when the sixteen loyal governors set their approval on it, it helped the movement in such a way as to carry the whole country with it. "There were no reporters present as I have said, but one of the governors, Governor Blair of Michigan, has given us an account of the meeting; so, too, has Governor Kirkwood of Iowa. While they were in Washington, they wanted to ask President Lincoln one question, and they said that, if he answered it, all right; then they would go home entirely satisfied. They asked him whether he thought General McClellan was loyal and the president replied: "I do, gentlemen. He and I do not always agree as to what should be done and he has the 'slows' but nevertheless, I believe he is as loyal as you are or as I am" and he was right. (Applause). "There wasn't anything to be advertised. They didn't say anything about that. It was not advertised. There was ALTOONA MIRROR'S SOUVENIR. 29 nothing following that meeting, only there entered into the soul of that great patriot, Abraham Lincoln, the feeling - you know it and I know it - that he had a nation behind him; that the cause he was engaged in was worthy of their lives and their fortunes, and that he proposed to fight it out and to bring back the erring sisters, bring back our brothers into the Union, to constitute the greatest nation for the elevation of humanity that this world has ever seen. (Great applause.) "Now, fifty years afterwards, what I like to think of is that Abraham Lincoln is looking down upon us and rejoicing in his heart that that willing life of his, ending in so great a tragedy, was offered up to something that was worthy and that now as he sees the ninety millions of his fellow citizens in happiness, he rejoices that he gave all that he had to bring that upon us." (Tremendous applause). Dr. E. E. Sparks' Oration. Posterity sits forever at the feet of history, learning the lessons of the past, "Die Welt Geschichte ist die Welt Gerichte," says the German poet. Nations are revivified by the contemplation of a glorious past; that people which fails to keep alive its traditions must itself soon perish. The city of Altoona is performing a distinct service today in keeping alive the memory of one of the most critical periods of the most critical time in the history of the nation. The success of the Confederate arms in the South had given them an opportunity of invading the North, of turning the Northern tactics of blockade, forage, and confiscation against themselves. Central Pennsylvania offered the most vulnerable point, with a final objective of Philadelphia, including the tide water in one direction and Pittsburgh, the gateway to the inland waters, in the other. This was the plan and this the crisis which alarmed the Northern states and suggested a conference of State Executives. Precedent for concerted action was found in the request sent to President Lincoln during the preceding spring that he would call for additional volunteers from the several states by assigned quotas. Eighteen governors signed the request. Supported by this assurance of the loyalty of the Executives, Lincoln issued his call with good results. Although the threatened invasion was checked by the battle of Antietam, the conference of Governors which this occasion celebrates brought lasting results in the great rally of the following year when the invasion finally came and the "high tide of the Civil war" was successfully reached on the field of Gettysburg. Pennsylvania in her relations to the Union stood the test of loyalty unto death. In loving commemoration I link together the words "Pennsylvania and the Federal Union;" in equally sweet fragrance of memory I unite the name of the promoter of the conference, the foremost of the "war governors," the dependable leader of the leading Northern state, Andrew G. Curtin, with that of the great leader of the war, the defender of the Union, the emancipator of the slave, Abraham Lincoln. You will pardon me if I attempt to call your attention to the central figure of the time, to the troubled man in the White House, whom the conference was called to assist. I shall not weary you by rehearsing his deeds, by eulogizing his character, nor by praising his virtues; rather I prefer to inquire into the cause of his greatness, the reasons for his perfection of character, and those noble traits which succeeding generations may profit by imitating. The immortal dramatist says "There is a tide in the affairs of men which taken at the flood leads on to fortune." All will agree that the occasion came to Lincoln and that he was prepared for it. The two great laws of man's development are known as the law of heredity and the law of environment. By inheritance Lincoln was peculiarly an American. For three generations his family had lived to the west of the Allegheny mountains, separated by that impassable barrier from the influence of Europe which dominated the Atlantic coast plain. He breathed the air of the untrammelled West; unfettered by precedent, he grounded his ideals in pure democracy; with no mentor other than nature, he was taught the absolute equality of man. And we must remember that the problem which he was called upon to solve embraced these principles; that it was an American question, and that an American inheritance served Lincoln in solving it. 30 ALTOONA MIRROR'S SOUVENIR. With this inadequate application of the law of heredity, let us turn to the more powerful law of environment. What was the early environment of this plain man? To answer must be to define that factor in our development which has now passed forever - the American frontier. As the mass of people moved across this continent from the Atlantic to the Pacific ocean, there has always been a front line of hardy spirits - the pioneers; those who felled the forests; those who built the log cabins; those who cultivated the fields. We call them the frontier of the American people, the vanguard of the onward march. Abraham Lincoln lived during all his formative days on what was then the frontier, in Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois. Many characteristics marked this front line of people. For one thing it contributed largely to American democracy. It did not make much difference who your grandfather was, but it did make a great deal of difference what you could do. It was an aristocracy of worth, not of birth. They had to do things out on the frontier, and Abraham Lincoln was trained in that compelling environment. What did this frontier do for the man? In the first place, it taught him to investigate. We do little investigating now. Why? Because we have so many books. "What is the use," we say, "of spending time investigating, when we can read it in the books?" Abraham Lincoln had very few books; in the formative period of his life he had to look into things himself. The lawyers who travelled with him around the circuit said that frequently when he would see a tree of unusual dimensions or some peculiarity of growth, he would dismount from his horse and examine the tree. When his little son received a mechanical toy, the father was not satisfied until be took it to pieces. He wanted to see how it worked - investigating always. When he came back from serving his second session in Congress a number of members came with him over the Great Lakes around by Niagara Falls. Most of the party stayed on deck, talking politics, smoking, and telling stories; but Lincoln was always down in the engine room, even among the stokers, examining everything, finding out how it worked, and showing his natural talent for investigating. Soon after this Lincoln took out his patent. It was a scheme for navigating the Western waters at times when the rivers were low, during the summer season, and sandbars appeared. Lincoln's plan was to put buoys under the keels of vessels, and when the vessels came to obstructions like sandbars in the river, the boatmen would inflate these buoys with air, which would lift the vessel over the bar. He never sold one, so far as I know, but it serves to illustrate my point, that he was an investigator. During the Civil war, diplomats, financiers, ambassadors and others testified to the wonderful way in which Lincoln had investigated in advance every matter brought before him. That was what the frontier environment taught him. The frontier environment also taught a man extreme caution. One man never went alone to plough in the field; two men went together, and while one man ploughed, the other man watched against Indians. It was said in later times, after the country was settled, if two of these frontiersmen met in town, that, remembering the old habit, when they talked together they stood with their backs to each other on the lookout for danger. I am not sure, in these automobile days, whether we shall not return to this habit. The frontiersman, when ploughing, had to plough so carefully that he would not break his plough, because he could not probably buy another plough within twenty miles, or find a blacksmith within a ten miles' journey. The thing which characterized Abraham Lincoln as president, if there was one characteristic above another, was his extreme caution. He moved so slowly in the Civil war that he never had occasion to wish to retrace his steps. I see, scattered in the audience, some people who remember the days of the Civil war, and they will bear me witness that Horace Greely and other hotheaded men constantly urged Lincoln to more haste. Mr. Greely called him, "Mr. Ready-to Halt;" "Mr. Faint-Heart;" "Mr. Man-Afraid-of-His-Shadow." They said, "Why don't you do something? Free the slaves! Close the war! Do something!" Lincoln, from his frontier training was moving so slowly that he ALTOONA MIRROR'S SOUVENIR. 31 never had occasion to retrace his steps. He even gave a hundred days' warning in advance before he issued his Emancipation Proclamation. His slow motion saved the Union from breaking its plough! This frontier training also taught a man to be an all-around man. There was no piece work on the frontier; you had to make the entire article out there. A shoemaker made a whole shoe; he did not punch a hole in a partly made shoe and then pass it on to another man to punch another hole. The blacksmith made a whole plough. That was frontier workmanship and of such was Lincoln. He was a rail-splitter and a farmer; in a small way, he was a soldier; he was a miller; he was a flat-boat man; he was a lawyer - he was an all-around man. And that crucial time when he became president of the United States needed a man who was an all-round man. It needed a general; it needed a financier; it needed a diplomat. The environment of the frontier made Lincoln equal to the demands of the position. The frontier taught a man self-help. The education of the frontier was something different from our education nowadays, when we frequently seek first aid to the injured in our schools; where we can have pre-digested food, and a crutch under each arm to help us along. What facilities for education did Lincoln have on the frontier? He had to teach himself for the most part; he was in the school of nature since nature was the teacher, and Lincoln was the only student in the room. "Then nature, the dear old nurse, took the child upon her knee, Saying: 'Here is a story book Thy Father has written for thee." The frontier life also taught a man self-reliance. When Lincoln floated his flat-boat down the Sangamon river, taking his flour to market, he had no chart of that river. The Sangamon was so small and insignificant that it had never been surveyed by the United States government. The navigator had to meet each sand-bar, snag, and stump as he came to it. Likewise, when Lincoln took hold of the helm of the great ship of state, whatever charts preceding pilots had used were useless to him, because the vessel was in danger of going to pieces. He had to meet each obstacle as he came to it. He was self-reliant and confident always, because he had been taught self-reliance. One time when a general said to him, "Now, Mr. President, if we do thus and so now, what is going to happen next year?" What did Lincoln answer? "You know, my friend, out in Illinois we never cross the Sangamon river until we come to it." His environment taught the man also to speak very simple language. They had no time out on the frontier for sesquipedalian words. You must say what you hart to say in short words of one syllable mostly. I wonder what Mark Anthony would have done with an audience of frontiersmen? They would have said, "Here, Mark, show us the body or shut up; one of the two." The frontiersmen spoke in simple language, and that was the most marked trait of this great American. Many times the language he used was so plain, so original, so American, that it distressed those learned gentlemen with whom he surrounded himself in his cabinet. After his second election, the election which occurred in the midst of the war, what should he have said? A man cast in the ordinary mould would have said: "The people have decided by an appeal to the ballot box that it would be extremely hazardous to chance a change of executive in a time of great national peril." Did Lincoln say that? No. What did he say? "The people have decided not to swap horses in the middle of the stream." Everybody could understand that; they all knew what it meant. I have seen prominently displayed in your shop windows fac-smiles of Lincoln's Gettysburg address, and that reminds me of evidence of his simplicity of composition. You know the story. The committee postponed the celebration for three months to allow the great orator, Edward Everett, to write his oration. Lincoln had three months' notice also; but think what tasks he had to do also during three months in the midst of the war! He had ten thousand things to distract his attention; a thousand griefs gnawing at his heart. Even when he started to Gettysburg he had written only a dozen lines; and on the road there, or after he reached there (the testimony varies), he added a few more lines. When the great day came, what a crowd was there! Colonel Carr sat on the platform, and testifies that Edward Everett held those people spellbound for three hours by his oratory. Beginning with a description of how 32 ALTOONA MIRROR'S SOUVENIR. the Greeks buried their dead, he proceeded to discuss secession, and the rights of the north, ending with a magnificent peroration. When Lincoln arose to give the dedication' address, there was a great movement in the crowd. Everyone wanted to see the president. There were cries of "Order, order, order!" "Down in front," and before order was restored, Lincoln had finished reading his address and sat down, amidst universal disappointment, as, Colonel Clark Carr testifies. There was no applause at that time - the "tremendous applause" being inserted by the reporters; but Edward Everett walked across the stage to Mr. Lincoln, reached out his hand, and said: "Mr. Lincoln, if I could have come as near striking the keynote of this occasion in three hours as you did in three minutes, I should be better satisfied with my performance." That was true. What had the way the Greeks buried their dead to do with the dedicating of that field? What had the rights of the secession to do with the consecration of the battle ground? Lincoln struck the keynote when he said: "We cannot dedicate - we cannot consecrate - we cannot hallow - this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it far above our poor power to add or detract * * It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us;" - that was the point, the war was not half over - "that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain; and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." That expresses the very essence of the occasion. And yet, if I take a tablet containing that immortal address and look it over, I shall find only two hundred and sixty-seven words in the whole address. Who reads Edward Everett's oration now? Very few; but Lincoln's little speech of two hundred and sixty-seven words has become a classic, recited in all the schools, and will probably endure as long as the English language endures. Edward Everett's speech is lofty, high, full of classical allusions; Abraham Lincoln's address is in the plain language of the plain people - language of the frontier. Of those two hundred and sixty-seven words only twenty-two are longer than two syllables. To get simpler language than that Lincoln used on that occasion you will have to go to King James version of the Bible or to John Milton. The result of that plain speech was that all through the Civil war the people trusted Lincoln. They knew just what he was trying to tell them; and no ruler, ancient or modern, was ever entrusted with the power that Abraham Lincoln used during those four years. One time there were more than five thousand editors in prison in various parts of the United States. The constitution says that free speech and a free press shall never be violated. Yet Lincoln did that. Why? In order to suppress insurrection in certain states of the Union. Even Governor Curtin of Pennsylvania in a message to the legislature suggested the taking of steps to protect citizens of Pennsylvania from arbitrary arrest by federal officers. When the chief justice of the United States, the highest judicial power in the land, issued a writ of habeas corpus to get Merryman out of jail at Baltimore, Lincoln refused to allow the writ, but he did this in order to suppress the rebellion in the southern states, and to save the Union. Do you realize that he confiscated hundreds and thousands of dollars' worth of southern slave property, when he had no right under the constitution to free the cheapest, meanest slave that ever breathed? Why did he do this? In order to suppress insurrection, and save the Union that our fathers bad given to us. The people allowed him to do this - the people allowed him to use these extraneous powers, because they knew that at the end of the war he would hand back the government to them. He would not usurp their power. They understood him; they knew him; and all because he used simple language within the public comprehension. Lincoln was reared in the Mississippi valley; he knew little about the Old World; he never visited Europe; he was purely an American. By contrast with him, George Washington was an English gentlemen living in America. I do not do injustice to the shade of George Washington if I say that by contrast with Lincoln, he simply reflected England. For instance, George Washington sent to England to get his ALTOONA MIRROR'S SOUVENIR. 33 coats of arms. He had the Washington arms in silver on the harness of the horses; he also had it on the coach which he used as president. You are sure to see that coach because it is preserved in three different places in the United States at the present time! Did Abraham Lincoln have any coat of arms? If he did, the device must have been two rails, a maul, and a wedge. George Washington sent to England to get his family tree. He traced the beginning of his family back to William, the Conqueror; it is just as good a family tree as you can buy nowadays. Did Abraham Lincoln have any family tree traced out? Out there on the frontier the settlers were too busy with felling the natural trees to pay much attention to family trees. Even when Lincoln went to congress he wrote to a man named Lincoln, living in Virginia, trying to find out something more about his own grandfather. George Washington had his clothes made in England up to the time of the revolutionary war. Were Abraham Lincoln's clothes made in England? It makes you smile to think of it. As a young boy the wool for his clothes was grown in Kentucky and spun there and was dyed, with the juice of the butternut tree. The result was that Abraham Lincoln reflected the American environment, and George Washington reflected the Old World environment. George Washington was president eight years and had one task, and that was a foreign problem - how to keep from going to war with England on the one side, or with France on the other. He set the pattern of neutrality for America, which, thank God, we have not departed from all the years that have followed. Abraham Lincoln was president a little over four years, and what was his task? To save the American Union; a task peculiarly American. And his American environment, in the Providence of God, had fitted him to meet that problem. Lincoln was the most original American who ever reached the presidency and was also the most misunderstood. We have never had a man in all American history who, in his life, was as much vituperated and blamed, and, in his death, as praised and deified as was Abraham Lincoln. His was the fate of every individuality which differs from the mass. What does the poet say? "Nature, they say, doth dote, And cannot make a man, Save on some wornout plan, Repeating us by rote; For him her Old-World moulds aside she threw, And, choosing sweet clay from the breast Of the unexhausted West, With stuff untainted shaped a hero new." If sufficient time were at my disposal, I should like nothing better than to take the reverse of what I have said thus far, and show that while in the White House the training of Lincoln's western environment never deserted him; nor did his originality. Seward might have made a better Union than Lincoln; but Seward could never have saved the Union as did Lincoln. Seward's policy was to get up a foreign war; to bring in something from the outside; to throw dust in the eyes of the people. But you could not fool the people all the time. Lincoln's originality solved the problem. If he had done as Horace Greely demanded, freed the slaves early in the war, and if he had recognized the Confederacy from the beginning, as many wanted him to, what would have been the result? We should have had two governments on the same soil in the south. But he never recognized the Confederate states; he never spoke of them other than as states in rebellion. He gave us back our southland as pure, unpolluted, virgin-like in its character, as when it was intrusted to his hands. He never compromised. Why? Because he was taught in the school of nature in the west, and nature never compromises. You have to pay the penalty of nature every time. If Lincoln had lived, I believe he would have spared us that awful period which we call "Reconstruction." Take the southern people today. Have they lost the bitterness of the Civil war? Yes, but they cannot forget the reconstruction times. That was a bitter period, when the "carpet bagger" plundered the south and placed the negro in the saddle. I believe that Lincoln would have saved us that experience. Why? Because he was by birth 34 ALTOONA MIRROR'S SOUVENIR. a southerner. He was born in the slave state of Kentucky, and he was surrounded by southern people when he moved over into Indiana in the early days. Then he moved into the southern part of Illinois, which was settled by southern people. He loved the south. He never wanted to take away their slaves, and to the day of his death he supported the theory of compensated emancipation. In the midst of the war he secured the passage of a bill by congress offering to buy the slaves of any states not in rebellion; that was his theory. One day he threw his great long arms around Senator Speed of Kentucky, whom he had known in boyhood. "Oh, Speed" he said "if we could get one state, if we could only get Kentucky, to accept our offer to buy their slaves rather than take them away, then you and I would not have lived in vain." They would not do it, and he had to take away the slaves in some of the states, and allow the people by an amendment to the constitution to take them away in all the states. On the basis of the last speech that he ever made, I believe that he would have saved us many of the horrows of reconstruction. Lee had surrendered. Great crowds flocked into the White House grounds and called for Lincoln, who stepped out on the south portico. His long, gaunt figure and homely face appealed to the crowd in the flaring light of the many torches. He got the crowd quiet and then raising his voice to a thrilling falsetto, as he always did when he was anxious to make everybody hear, said: "The good news which has reached us, that Lee has surrendered, bids us fair to think that the end of the war is at hand. Now will come the great task of reconstructing the Union. As to whether the southern states have been out of the Union or have not been out of the Union, I consider all that merely a pernicious abstraction. They have not been in their proper relations, and it is your duty and my duty to get them back into their proper relations as soon as possible." This was the simple plan for which fate, through the death of its originator, substituted many years of contention, bickering, retaliation and commercial distress. Lincoln's whole life was fraught with tragedy. A nature overburdened with melancholy, a face masked by the tragic muse, a life never free from the burden of poverty, in his birth and early life apparently the sport of the fates, it was enough for this strange man to have lived a great life; it but adds to his grandeur to have him die a noble death. Strangulatus pro Respublicae might well be his requiem. If a finite being ever showed the omnipotent power of prescience, Lincoln surely had premonition not only that he had been set aside for a given task but that it was to end in death. Plunged into a fratricidal war, himself a victim, Lincoln was a man of peace. I cannot close without reminding you that upon Pennsylvania soil in 1861 before the first gun was fired, when viewing the state militia at Harrisburg, Lincoln said, "It shall be my endeavor to preserve the peace of this country so far as it can possibly be done consistently with the maintenance of the institutions of the country. With my consent this country shall never witness the shedding of one drop of blood in fraternal strife." How can I forget that it was upon Pennsylvania soil at Philadelphia that Lincoln declared "I have said nothing but what I am willing to live by, and if it be the pleasure of Almighty God to die by." Was there not a strain of prophecy. in this statement? Lincoln and Pennsylvania! These names are indissolubly connected, not alone by significant utterances on Pennsylvania soil, not alone by the invasion which culminated at Gettysburg; not alone by the glories of a victory in which each shared, but also by this conference of governors which assured the great leader of local military support, and which also upheld his arms of faith in the doctrine of the confiscation and emancipation of the slaves of the states in rebellion. May this day of celebration which recalls these incidents be an inspiration not only to the residents of this enterprising city but to all the many strangers assembled to participate in the festivities. May all these historic facts bring to us as American citizens a fresh devotion, a more established faith,, and a more steadfast love for the Republic, together with a fresh determination that a government established and maintained of the people, by the people and for the people shall not perish from the earth. [Continued in Part II.]