Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-09-14
SOLDIERS KEPT MUM.
Absent-Minded Grand Army Men at
the Cresson Reception
FORGET TO SPEAK TO HARRISON.
Strikers at the Frick Coke Mines Decide to
Go Back to Work.
FIRE BALKS THE DUNBAR WORKERS
ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO TEE prspArcH.,

ESPECIAL TELEeRAM TO TIE DISPATCH,
CREssoN SPRINGS, Pa, September 13.-
Cresson was filled with loyal people to-day
looking for President The first train in
the morning brought in the first delegation
of sight-seers for the reception this after
noon, which the President gave to the Grand
Army posts of Blair county, and all day
there were more coming. The excursionists
spread themselves over the grounds, and
having discovered the Park cottage they
watched it with anxious eyes.
At 4 o'clock the special train from AL
toona reached Cresson. Post AZ and the
Veteran Legion, as well as 1000 people.
were met by General Ekin, e1-Quarter-
master General of Pennsylvania. Forming in
line and accompanied by the Altoona Band,
they arrived at the hotel The band remained
without, playing, while the soldiers, followed
by the veterans. entered the parlor. where the
President and Private Secretary Halford were
waiting.
The parlor had been hurriedly decorated
with the United Sta tes flag, and between the
two doors his His Excellency stood where the
passing people could easily greet him. The
windows were filled with ladies and gentlemen,
the guests of the hotel, who watched with in
terest, and clapped enthusiastically as real
old soldier or the flag went by.
FUNNY FoRGETFULNEss.
For his comrades, ]. D. Hicks, of Post 46S,
presented a short speech to the President,
which Mr.. Harrison afterward acknowledged
in an open-air speech from the corner of the
piazza. The reception was enlivened by many
interesting and almost ludicrous incidents.
Several soldiers were so overcome by the i'm
portance of the occasion that they quite for
got to speak to His Excellency. When they
recovered from their confusion, they always
insisted in going back, explaining and apollo
gizing for their observation-disclosures, while
President Harrison listened with a patient
smile. General Ekin, too, created diversion
by posing as President in spite of himself, for
several minutes; for, although he good-nat-
uredly told the soldiers he was not the Presi-
dent, they still insisted on grasping his hand
The reception lasted about half an hour,
after which serenade was given the Presi-
dent, while he stood with his family in the cor
ner of the front piazza. The band stood below.
and around it the eager people pressed, gazing
up at the President oDen-mouthed. A medley
of national airs preceded the Presidents
speech. Then Mr.. Harrison said:
Il thank my comrades for the greeting that
you have given me. The characteristic of the
American people is that they do not place their
affections on individuals but give their loyalty
to the flag and the Constitution"
... AMERICAN PATRIOTISM.
In illustration of this the speaker cited the
instance of President Lincoln, who probably
more than any other man since Washington
had secured the affection of the people. and
yet when he was assassinated that other great
man who afterwards became himself martyred
President could say that 1.-THE Government at
Washington still lives" The President with
much feeling concluded his remarks as
follows: "Now nv comrades who have suffered
and still suffer for your country. wish in this
world all good to you and your dear ones, and
in the world to come joy everlasting"
AS he concluded. Harry Darlington. of
Pittsburg, forcing his way to the front, started
a vociferous cheer, which was echoed eagerly
by the thousands round, and, acknowledging
the compliment with bow, the President
retired. baby Mckee" was called. but the
little grandson was just then busy playing
under the trees around the Park cottage,
The soldiers followed the President to his
home, and again, while he stood in the door
way with little Benjamin on his shoulders the
band serenaded him. The little boy pulled of
his cap, and when they cheered his illustrious
he waved 1t energetically. A
final cheer for the little boy and then the Pres
ident entered his cottage and closed the door.
The special train left the station with the vet
Grams few minutes later.