Torchlight parades formed a part of 19th-century U.S. political campaigns, most notably with Abraham Lincoln's "wide awakes" in 1860.
At Harvard, in the latter half of the 19th century, students who wished to participate in the torchlight parades marched together with whichever party was supported by the majority of students (generally Republican). Solidarity as Harvard students, rather than political party, was expressed by a Harvard uniform which varied by class year. An exception was an 1886 parade which was not a political event, but a culminating event in the celebrations for Harvard's 250th anniversary. Students from the graduate and professional schools also participated in these parades. (Source: Harvard Crimson, various articles, 1884-1892).
John White Cummin earned his Harvard AB in 1892 and a Harvard MD in 1896. He was Instructor in Surgery at the Medical School from 1920-1922.
From the description of Torchlight parade uniform of John White Cummin, [ca. 1888-1896] [videorecording]. (Harvard University). WorldCat record id: 228512495
