The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1877-09-13
PRESIDENT HAYES AT THE
SOLDIERS HOME.
Grand Reception by the Disabled
Soldiers.
Gen. Buffers Introductory Speech
Anew Words from the President.
Secretary MCCrary's Address to
the Veterans.

, Secretary McCrary's Address to
the Veterans.
DAYTON, September 12.--Long before
the hour at which the procession was tc
move towards the house crowds OF peo
pie gathered along the route and around
the residence Of Mr.. Anderson, where the
President Is stopping, while Thousands
ot others were on their way 10 the beau,
tiful grounds. AT $50 the military com.
panies assembled at the armory and
marched to the residence OF Mr.. Ander.
son, from whence they escorted the Pres.
idential party 10 the depot Of the Home
Avenue cars, where they took the train
for the grounds and the President and
party proceeded to the Home In their
carriages. They arrived at the north
gate at $50, where they were received by
the Brown Guards and escorted to the
headquarters, 4 salute Of tRenty-one
guns being fred as the distinguished Wis.
itors arrived on the grounds.
Agraud review and inspection OF near.
| ly 5000 veterans took place at 10 o'clock,
after which the President was escorted to
the grand stand, where Col. Brown, Pres.
ident Of the Home, read a short address
Of welcome, after which General Ben. F.
Butler, President Of the Board Of Man.
agers OF the Home, said:
CoRrades Of he Central BrcaeL oftie Sod.
irS Home:
On this eighth recurring vi.i. made
you bv myself, and the tenth made by the
Eoalu OF Managers, 1 have the pleasure
TO see such improvements, not only in
the grounds and means Of your comfort,
but IN the personal appearance Of all Of
you, which gives assurance that the good
and true soldiers Of the army Of the Re-
public are here. You represent those
who fought for the Union, the COnstitu-
tion, the laws, and for the country TO be.
come nation powerful enough 10 repel
all assaults on its liberties and strong
enough to protect every man on its own
soil. You bear \ relation to this Govern
ment such as no other body Of
men under the heavens does bear. Kings
and Princes are accustomed to take the
banners and trophies captured in war,
works OF art perhaps seized and carried
away, and hang the banners up and pile
up the trophies and show the works Of
art as memorials Of battles won by their
soldiers, but our government, coming
from the people and Of the people, part
Of which you are, have other trophies to
show you. Mycomrades are the national
trophies which the republic OF America
exhibits to the world Of their battles and
their victories. They have brought you
here together and say to all men, @See
how a republic cares for her disabled vet
Grams. These are our jewels" Cheers.
have on other occasions when have
met you commented upon matters Of dis
cipline and administration, but say here
now for the information Of all concerned
that we have received as a Board, al
though we have invited it, no single COM
Plaint out OF the 5000 men gathered
here Of any administration Of
your commandant or your officers.
Not one, not one. We have heard that
we are not always satisfactory in our
rule, but it comes from 4 want of the
knowledge Of circumstances. l used to
say to you that there was 81! per cent
OF good men, but I can say now that
there is % per cent or even 100 per cent,
Tor there is not even one person that we
hayeheard of, since coming here, that is
doing wrong. believe for the first time
In the history Of our home that we have
all the ex-otticio members Of the Board,
the President Chief Justice and the Sec
retary Of War, together. Itake pride in
these members, and say to-day that get
ting in the ruts, as abroad many do, and
possibly misunderstanding our subject,
that they are coming fresh to take a part
with US. How we'll we have done our
work, you, generous people must say.
have also 10 say that for the first time,
every member Of the Board, ex.oficio and
others, areihere with two exceptions; one,
detained by sickness and one General
Osborn) doing duty for the Government
in the far of land Of the Argentine Re-
public. We testify our interest by being
here. You attest your appreciation by
being the good soldiers here that you
werein the army. have now the honor
to present to you the President OF the
United States, distinguished citizen Of
this State, now at the head OF the greatest
and most powerful Government in the
world, who leaves his high duty to come
here and show his regards for his old
comrades, some Of whom he recognizes
and for all Of whom he feels the love OF
one soldier for another. Fellow soldiers,
the President OF the United States.
Prolonged cheering.l
The President rose and spoke briefly
as follows:
Comrades and FsllOv Cti-saS: The greet.
ing / know ia not personal compliment.
This large assemblage Of disabled veter.
ans Of the volunteer army Of the Union
and Of citizens who sympathizs with
them manifest by this welcome their
respect for the office, which for
the time being has devolved upon
me, and their patriotic attachment to the
Government Of the United States. These
brave men fought and suffered to restore
the Union Of the fathers, and 20 make
perpetual the edifice OF Constitutional
liberty which the fathers built. Their
services and sacrifices will always be re.
membered with affection and gratitude,
and good men and women will pray that
the Supreme Ruler Of the universe will
forever have them one and all in his spe.
cial care and keeping.
At the close Of the Presidents remarks
Gen. Butler introduced Secretary Of War
McHraFy whn said
HsterGn Soldiers I know not how to ex.
press the feeling which is excited, as I
stand for the first time in the presence Of
more than 5000 disabled soldiers Of the
republic. Indeed l fear that l shall not
be able to say what feel. We are told
that from the abundance Of the heart the
mouth speaketh; but l think there is IN
exception 10 that on some occasions,
when from the very abundance Of the
heart the mouth will not speak at all. +
cannot address you as your President has
done, as comrades, as I did not have the
honor to share with you in the services
sacrifices and suffering incident to your
career in the army and by which you
conferred imperishlble glory upon your
selves and your country. But ! may
speak to you as citizens and may address