Subdued Cheers Greet Wilson
Title
Subdued Cheers Greet Wilson
Creator
Unknown
Identifier
WWP16401
Date
1921 November 11
Description
A crowd greets Woodrow Wilson on the Armistice Day parade, 11 November 1921.
Source
Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, Staunton, Virginia
Language
English
Text
Special Despatch to The Sun.
The Sun Bureau,
Washington, DC
From the Capitol to the White House, former President Wilson, in a two horse victoria, followed the funeral cortege of America’s Unknown Soldier to-day. His appearance on the east front of the Capitol just as the procession trailed away toward Pennsylvania avenue was as dramatic as it was unexpected by the crowd assembled behind the barrier which cut it off from the open space in which the various official units had assembled prior to their march to Arlington.
Here and there in the crowd one heard questionings, as the hour for the start of the procession began, as to whether the ex-President’s health would permit him to pay his tribute as he has planned. When, unit by unit, the line got in motion and the caisson with its burden went by, followed by President Harding, with Gen. Pershing and the members of the Supreme Court, eager eyes looked in vain for some sign of Mr. Wilson, for it had been announced that a place of honor almost immediately behind the Chief Executive had been assigned to him.
It was an overcast, cold morning and the crowd believed that the former President’s advisers had insisted on his abandoning his plan. Suddenly a carriage appeared, with negro coachman and footman, and Washingtonians recognized those seated in it as the invalid Woodrow Wilson and his wife. Mr. Wilson wore a red poppy in his lapel and Mrs. Wilson had a bunch of poppies, Flanders red, in her corsage.
It was an unexpected and dramatic finale to the panorama which had been enacted before the Capitol. The crowd quickly recognized the former Executive and handkerchiefs fluttered a welcome which throats for a moment held back. Then hats were off and a restrained cheer was heard. The fluttering of handkerchiefs, the rising and falling of wave of cheering followed his carriage along the avenue right up to the White House, where he left the procession, turning off past Lafayette Square.
Mr. Wilson bore the strain of the morning extremely well and seemed to rejoice in the welcome which he evoked. His hat was constantly in his hand as he bowed his acknowledgment and smiled good humoredly. A look of pleasure also lighted up Mrs. Wilson’s face. Onlookers remarked how well and how vigorous the former President appeared.
On inquiry, it was found that Mr. Wilson had insisted on refusing the honor of a place in the line immediately behind President Harding and had asked to be permitted to take his place as an ordinary citizen. The crowd had not expected this—hence their surprise and their pleasure at seeing him in the procession.
Upon arrival at his home, Mr. Wilson said that he would not go to Arlington. When the demonstration accorded him along the line of march was mentioned, he said:
“Yes, I was embarrassed that there should be applause on so solemn an occasion.”
Dr. Grayson reported that his patient had stood the ordeal well.
The Sun Bureau,
Washington, DC
From the Capitol to the White House, former President Wilson, in a two horse victoria, followed the funeral cortege of America’s Unknown Soldier to-day. His appearance on the east front of the Capitol just as the procession trailed away toward Pennsylvania avenue was as dramatic as it was unexpected by the crowd assembled behind the barrier which cut it off from the open space in which the various official units had assembled prior to their march to Arlington.
Here and there in the crowd one heard questionings, as the hour for the start of the procession began, as to whether the ex-President’s health would permit him to pay his tribute as he has planned. When, unit by unit, the line got in motion and the caisson with its burden went by, followed by President Harding, with Gen. Pershing and the members of the Supreme Court, eager eyes looked in vain for some sign of Mr. Wilson, for it had been announced that a place of honor almost immediately behind the Chief Executive had been assigned to him.
It was an overcast, cold morning and the crowd believed that the former President’s advisers had insisted on his abandoning his plan. Suddenly a carriage appeared, with negro coachman and footman, and Washingtonians recognized those seated in it as the invalid Woodrow Wilson and his wife. Mr. Wilson wore a red poppy in his lapel and Mrs. Wilson had a bunch of poppies, Flanders red, in her corsage.
It was an unexpected and dramatic finale to the panorama which had been enacted before the Capitol. The crowd quickly recognized the former Executive and handkerchiefs fluttered a welcome which throats for a moment held back. Then hats were off and a restrained cheer was heard. The fluttering of handkerchiefs, the rising and falling of wave of cheering followed his carriage along the avenue right up to the White House, where he left the procession, turning off past Lafayette Square.
Mr. Wilson bore the strain of the morning extremely well and seemed to rejoice in the welcome which he evoked. His hat was constantly in his hand as he bowed his acknowledgment and smiled good humoredly. A look of pleasure also lighted up Mrs. Wilson’s face. Onlookers remarked how well and how vigorous the former President appeared.
On inquiry, it was found that Mr. Wilson had insisted on refusing the honor of a place in the line immediately behind President Harding and had asked to be permitted to take his place as an ordinary citizen. The crowd had not expected this—hence their surprise and their pleasure at seeing him in the procession.
Upon arrival at his home, Mr. Wilson said that he would not go to Arlington. When the demonstration accorded him along the line of march was mentioned, he said:
“Yes, I was embarrassed that there should be applause on so solemn an occasion.”
Dr. Grayson reported that his patient had stood the ordeal well.
Original Format
Article
Files
Collection
Citation
Unknown, “Subdued Cheers Greet Wilson,” 1921 November 11, WWP16401, Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.