Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-08-24

He Presitcs Over n Gathering of the First
Brigade and Makes n Short Spcech-His
Journey Through Scenes Familiar to His
Youth-A Meeting with His Sister at
CincInnati-secretary Rusk Stops at
Chicago ON His Way to Milwaukee.
INDIANAPOLIS, Aug. 24-Yesterday's re-
union OF tho Seventeen Indiana regiment at
Tomlinson's hall was a red-letter day in tn,
history OF the regiment, for the presiding
officer was the president of the United
States. and the regiments first commander.
The reunion was expanded into reunion of
the First brigade, Of which the Seventeen
was part, and the president had the pleas
ure of meeting hundreds OF his old comrades.
who expressed their gladness by the most
vigorous and long-continued of cheers
A Talk to Old Comrades.
welcoming address was delivered by
City Attorney Taylor, to which the presi-
dent responded rs follows:
Mr.. TAYLOR: The survivors of the Seventh
eth Indiana infantry, now assembled i'm an
nual reunion, have heard with great Rratifca-
ton the cordial words OF welcome which Won
have addressed TO us. We have never doubted
the hospitality of the citizens of this great
city, and have several times held our reunions
here. III we have more frequently sought some
OF the quieter towns in this congressional dis
trict where the regiment was organized il has
only been because we could be little more to
ourselves than was possible in this city.
becoming " Family AFFAIR.
You will not think this a selfish instinct
when tell you that, as the years 90 on these
reunions of our regiment become more and
more family affairs, and as in the gathering
of the scattered members of a family in a
family reunion, we have loved, when we get
together as comrades, TO be somewhat apart
that we might enjoy each other 1t has been
pleasant. am sure, TO link this annual re-
union with the great event of yesterday. 1t
did US good To meet with our comrades of the
whole state-those WHO had other numbers ON
their uniforms but carried the same flag I'M
der which we marched-in the exercises
connected with the dedication of monument
that knows no regimental distinction. LAD
plause.l
Glad To he with Them.
express. comrades, my own qualification at
being able to meet with you. The change
which was made in the time of our assem-
bling has made this possible, and | am glad
10 spend few moments with You to-day. 10
forget altogether for the time being that
am Iublic officer, and to remember only
that am your comrade and friend. Jap
plause.l II those having charge will an
nounce some proper arrangement by which l
can take by the hand the members not only of
~
the FIRST brigade who have done u, honor to-
day, | will be glad to conform with their
wishes. IL Is, perhaps possible without leav-
ing the hall, simply by an exchange OF seats,
this may be accomplished, and when that is
done three may Yet be time before dinner To
proceed with some OF the other exercises on
the programme.
Final Reception and Departure.
The audience listened attentively 10 this
speech, and after other exercises were over
grasped the hand Of their comrads in arms,
now president OF the United States. After
leaving the reunion the president returned to
the hotel, where hts time was occupied in re-
ceiving intimate friends A quarter to 2
O'Clock he and representatives of the COM
mittees from the Grand Army and monu-
ment commission we're driven to the Union
station. A crowd OF 1000 persons greeted
him there, and marked his coming by cheer
ing enthusiastically. The president went at
once into his car, but quickly returning re-
manned ON the rear platform, acknow Lodging
the attention Of the crowd until the train
was out of sight
Recognized the Donor.
In a corner of the presidents car as it
rolled away rested two oval beds of roses,
and As the president glanced at the card ON
one OF these his face lit up and he remarked
that "it Is from one of my men, Moss Nc
Lain" McLain is United States Marshal
Randselps double Both were in the same
company Of the same regiment, we're shot,
losing each an arm, at about the same mo-
ment at the battle of Resaca. Afterward
Randsoll was succeeded by McLain as clerk
of Marion county, Indiana, each having
been put in nomination by Gen Harrison
--