St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-09-29

great grand SJanQ was UIiiiidllIIS
Illuminated with score of arc lights,
which threw their rays across the dIa-
mOnd and lighted up the grounds as far
as Elmar Fosters garden. Inc point OF
delivery was the same as in the ball
games, the speakers stand being
erected at the point occupied
by the pitchers box and quite an elabo-
rate affair il was, too. a large Semicir-
euIar platform covered with tastefuliy
decorated booth some fifteen feet
in length, arEstically draped
in red, white aud blue bunt-
ing. and covered with flags, formed
the frame in which DR.. AmeS. picture
of health and honest, manly pride was
framed. Across the archway of the
booth were the words ''Welcome Home"
At the sides of the platform were two
smaller ones for the band, and in the
angle formed by the long rows of
chairs for the invited guests had been
placed.
1t was nearly half past eight when
strains of music from the bands leading
the procession were heard, and the nun
dred or two people who were already
the grand stand and bleacherS began TO
look pleased and expectant, but the
doctor didn't come then that was merely
and il was after 9 o'clock before the big
gate on the Fifth street side of the park
opened to admit the procession. Then
there was shout such as cracks the
fence board when Dannie Minnehan
knocks a home run or Duke strikes
out three men with the bases full, but
the real deafening applause came when
the carriage containing the gentle doctor
and Mayor Babb pulled up in front OF
the grand stand. DR.. AmeS stood up in
the carriage smiling and bowing. while
the great crowd cheered itself hoarse,
ladies, of whom there were many pres
ent, waved their handkerchiefs and the
band played desperately and hope
lessIy as if it was going to make
all the noise possible, although
1t didn't expect to be heard. When
the carriage stopped the doctor aJighted,
and was escorted to his seat by num-
Der of the committee, who had hard work
to get him through the crowd of person
al friends that had gathered near the
stand. In ten minutes after DR.. -Ames'
carriage rolled into the gate there
were 10000 people on the grounds. and
from that time on every mention OF his
name, and almost every movement he
made was greeted with a perfect storm
Of applause.
C. NJ. Foote, of the citizens commit
tee. called the meeting TO order, and
after referring to the pleasure which
each and all took in being present, in
trOduced Mayor Babb, TO whom had
been assigned the task of FORM
ally welcoming the guest of the
evening. I'm the face of this magnlti-
cent ovation" said he, nothing which
l might say could add to his welcome"
After referring to the doctors three
terms as chief executive of the
occasions on which he had been
called upon to welcome men and bodies
of men to our midst. He continued: Il
would that l had the eloquence to well
come him tonight as he has welcomed
others in times gone by" Then
turning to the doctor, he said:
"Dr. Ames, in so far as personally
or officially may do SO. l give you
hearty welcome home. and may the
power which carried you safely through
the shadow of death. went with you
across the sea and again brought you
back to your native city, keep you with
US for many years TO come"
Capt. Henry A. Casette, of st Pau.
then spoke on behalf Of that city. and
made a very humorous, witty. and even
eloquent address, in which he expressed
the desire of st. PaufS citizens to mIngle
their words of welcome with those from
the sister city, which has the stronger
claim on the common friend Of both.
Chairman Foote then read letter
from Gen. &. K. Davis. regretting that
a previous engagement of great i'm
portance prevented him from being
present. and joining in the "hearty
welcome to my friend, DR.. A. a. AmeS."
DR.. AmeS then rose, and, as soon as the
applause would permit him, commenced
to speak, but had to wait once more for
the people to cease shouting.
''Fellow citizens, ladies and gentle
men, said he, my lungs are stronger
THAI they were four months ago. l
went through a siege that came near
costing me my life: but my good
friendS-my good friends Il say, and l
have many of them-insiSted that l
should go to Europe, and l guess they
saved my life, God bless them. don't
know what l have done to merit
this magnificent reception unless It was
to stay by Minneapolis in everything
that was for her good. i don't deserve
it, And then some one in the crowd
shouted, Bet your life you do. or you
wouldn't get it." which called for more
cheering. When it got quiet again the
doctor proceeded. He said he had
devoted six of the best years
of his life to the service
of the city, and thought he could say the
present condition of the city would war
rant him in saying that his administra-
tion had been a success. Il am thank
full now that am out of politics" said
he, ''that l have been given this recep-
ton, and l take it in the spirit in which
it is rendered, without regard TO
political feeling, a welcome home
to one who fell by the wayside. ] have
been abroad, but | have acquired none
of the accents of the countries which l
have visited. l went to Europe to re-
gain my health and to compare
the Institutions of that country
with those of America. think
l have succeeded in my object
| have come to the conclusion that there
is nothing on the face of Gods almighty
earth equal to America. l found many
| things in England, in France, and in
Germany, which we in America might
copy with advantage. and here in AmerI-
neapolis, / see thousands of thing whichs
could be adopted with great advantage
in Europe. l found in the Old country
the same fight going on which is being
fought here. 1t is the fight for the ele-
vatiOn of the wOrkingman. The great
thing they have to fight against is
| their ignorance. / wish to God that
| the people there could be educated by
our American public schools. Then
there could be no oppression. Neither
emperors. kings nor queens can Cypress
an educated people. In closing his re-
marks the doctor said: "AIl that
want now is to come back here
to Minneapolis and live and
die as private citizen, but l didn't die
last time. 1 fooled you ALL" He then
referred in kindly and sympathetic
way quite characterally of himself, TO
the unhappy accident which marred
the pleasure of the procession,
and expressed his deep sorrow
that any one had been injured
| in a procession for doc" Ames. He
thanked the old volunteer iremen and
| the civic and military bodies which had
taken part in the parade for their kind
ness. After few more words express
sive of his gratitude toward all
who took part in the reception,