Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-07-12

Immense Enthusiasm at Indianapolis
The Respect and Congratulate
tiOns of His Neighbors.


The Respect and COngratula-
tiOns of His Neighbors.
| He TouchingIy Recalls some Incidents OF
the War-Talking to the
Old Soldiers.
indianapolis has seldom presented such
a scene as was witnessed around General
Harrison's residence during the day fol-
lowing his nomination. 1t could not be
surpassed in any city on the continent
In front Of the house had been erected
during the day six stands. upon which
had been mounted electric lights Of great
power and brilliancy, turning the dark
ness Of night into a glare of light sur
passing that Of the sun. The adjacent
houses were all beautifully decorated
and the lawns lighted by Chinese Ian
terms of all c0lors and shapes. In the
street and filling the spacious grounds
surrounding the residence were packed
several thousand Of his friends and
neighbors from this city and State. They
were happy. and shouted every time the
General made his appearance, which he
frequently did going down the steps in
to the lawn, shaking hands with all who
presented themselves. A constant stream
Of visitors poured into the house, and all
We're warmly greeted. Several delega-
tons from the Out-COunties were among
those who called.
When the soldiers came Cen Harrison
said
Comrades, called as have been by the
National Convention OF one OF the great
political parties OF this country to be its
candidate for the Presidency, it would
probably be my fortune before the cleo
ton to receive many delegations repre-
sent1ng various interests and classes Of
Our teliOW-cltlZer5 but | am sure that out
Of them all there will come none whose
coming will touch my heart so deeply as
this visit from my comrades of the Seven
tieth Indiana, and these scattered men,
DerS OF the other regiments that cOnStitu-
ted the First Brigade of the Third Division
of the Twentieth Army Corps | recall
the scenes to which Mai. Grubbs has al
luded. | remember that summer dav
when, equipped and armed. we were
called to leave our homes and cross the
OHIO river and enter the territory that
was in arms against the Government which
we had sworn to support. | recall, with
you, the tender parting, the Wringing Of
hearts with which we left those we loved.
l recall the high and buOyant determina-
ton, the reSOlute courage with which You
went out to do your part in the work Of
SuppreSSing the great rebellion. I remem-
Der the scenes through which we went in
ness, and all of those hard incidents which
are necessary to convert citizens into vet
Grams. | remember the scenes of the bat
tie in which we stood together. | remem-
Der especially that broad and deep grave
at the foot of ReSeca Hill where we left
those gallant comrades who fell in that
desperate charge. [ remember through it
all the Gallantry, devotion, and steadfast-
ness, the highest patriotism you always
exhibited. | remember how, after sweep
ing down with Sherman from Chattanoo-
ga to the sea and up again through the
CarOlinas and Virginia, you, with those
gallant armies that had entered the gate
OF the South by Louisville and Nicksburg,
marched into the great review mp the
grand avenue of our Nations Capital. |
remember that proud scene of which we
were part that day; the glad rejoicing as
our faces were turned homewarl; the ap-
plause which greeted us us the banner of
our regiment was now and then recognized
by some home friends who had gathered
to see us. The whole course of these in
cIdentS of battle, of sickness, OF deaths of
victory crowned thus by the triumphant
re-asSer ton of National authority and the
muster out and our return to those homes
that we loved, made again secure against
all the perlls which had threatened them.
feel that in this campaign upon which
am entering, and which will undoubtedly
cause careful scrutiny perhaps unkind
ana even malicious assaults, all that re-
lateS to my not conspicuous but loyal ser
vice with you in the army l may conf
IDENTIFY leave with my honor in the hands
OF the surviving members of the Seven
tieth Indiana, whatever their political
faith may be. Cries of "That is true,
General and Yes May l ask you
now, for am too deeply moved by this
visit TO speak as | would desire, that each
one will enter this door, that will always
open with hearty welcome to YOU. and
let me take you by the hand. [Cheers.l
After the veterans left the crowd pa
tiently waited the coming of the Cali
fornia delegation 1t was headed by a
committee of citizens who presented the
visitors to the General and Mrs Harri-
son. The hour was late; the visit was
necessarily brief, and Gen. Harrison
merely exchanged greetings with the Wis
itors. Chairman Estee was presented to
the crowd, and excused himself from
making I speech. During the call of
the Californians, Greed Raymond. the
chairman of the delegation, presented
Gen. Harrison a handsomely-engr
gold medal.
When the California delegation left
the General came out, as the great crowd
showed no signs of dispensing, and said:
FELLOW-CITIZENS, LADIES AND GENTLE
MEN: | am deeply impressed and gratified
with this magnificent demonstration of
your respect. No man can be so deeply
honored by any convention or by any
decoration which any of the authorities of
Government can bestow as by the respect
an confidence of those who live near him.
AiV heart is touched by this demonstration
which my fellow-citizens have given me
OF their personal respect for me. lido not.
however, accept this manifestation of in
terest as wholly due to myself. The great
AtT7I n -l.yA b.ov- IL
tonight manifest rather their interest in
those political principles which | have
been c3llej by the representatives of
National Convention of the Republican
party TO represent in this campaign. But
! Will not discuss any of those high issues
Tonight, because l am glad to know
among those who are gathered here and
among those who have paid me the COM
niiment of their presence in my home
t&ere are many citizens of indianapolis
WAC differ with me politically l would
no5. therefore, if L was otherwise proper
mar his occasion by the discussion of any
POLITICAL topic. | am glad to have an OPP
po0unitY TO return my sincere and heart
ieit thanks To the Indiana delegation and
IL t.sat baud Of devoted friends who gath
erel! about them and assisted them in their
wUrS at Cdic l.,O. When I SAW in the
newspaper press OF the East and of the
West ,e encomiumS that were passed by
the correspondents upon the department
ami character of the representatives of
Indiana 1T Chicago Twas greatly pleased.
When hearl Of their affectionate devo-
ton, of Their discreet and wise presenta-
tion of the ci'tignS of Indiana. | was still
further gritiiieti. and If the result of that
convention had been, as il well might
have been il individuals had only been
considered in the contest that was there
waged, the selection for this high place of
some enc other than myself l should have