The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-10-09
President Harrison Goes From
Peoria to Galesburg.
PEOPLE FLOCK TO SEE HIM.
He Makes . Feeling Address to the
Soldiers Of His Brigade.
What the Veterans Have Done Since the
War In Inculcsting Love or the Flag
In the Rising Generation-O Ottumwa,
In, to BE visited Next.

GALEsBURG. ILL.,. Oct S.-President Har-
rison arose early this morning, but he was
not early enough to escape the thousands
of eager Peorians who had assembled
around the hotel in that city struggling for
sight OF the distinguished visitor. At Z
O'Clock band serenaded the president,
and few minutes later the mayor and city
council, accompanied by the G. A. r. posts
and . company of the Illinois National
Guard, started the party to the train. The
march was q triumphant one. ALI Peoria
turned out to do homage to the chief exec
utive. At the depot over 5000 people were
assembled, and the president, being invited
by Mayor Strake, spoke the following:
my Fellow Citizens: It is not possible that
should introduce this morning any serious
theme. Ihave greatly enjoyed this trip through
my old state and yours. sisters In loyalty and
sacrifice for the Union; sisters also in prosperity
and honor. IApplause.] / ind myself simply
saying thank you, with an increasing sense of
the kindness Of the people. II anything could
add TO the solemn sense Of responsibility which
my OMcial oath places upon me, II would be
these evidences OF friendliness and confidence.
The great mass Of the people of this country are
loyal, LOVING. dutiful citizens, ready to support
every faithful officer in the discharge Of his
their good. Il Is q source of great strength TO
know this, and this morning, not less from this
bright sunshine and this crisp Illinois air than
from these kindly faces. Idraw inspiration to do
Whist can, the very best can, 10 promote the
good Of the people OF the United States. lap
plsuse.I Igo home today to meet with seme
ccmrades Of your state who stood with me in
the army Of the great Union for the defense of
the dag Applause
xt~n ,~v1 -
dress Elsie Leslie, the child actress of
Little Lord Fauntlerov" fame. presented
the president beautiful bouquet on behalf
OF the g. A. r. post and the citizens of
Peoria. The president expressed his thanks
by kissing the little lady, and amid the
cheers of the crowd the train pulled out for
Galesburg. At Peoria the presidential
party Was met by delegation from Gales
burg on special train.
Near Galesbufg the president, after &C
cording reception to the old veterans on
board. went forward with Secretary Tracy
and greeted Engineer Hilton, who was
member Of the presidents brigade. On in
vitation Of the engineer the president and
Secretary Tracy mounted the engine and
rode in the cab with the engineer for miles.
To the president the engineer gracefully
yielded the responsibility Of pulling the
whistle for stations and crossings. and the
fireman considerably turned over the bell
rope to Secretary Tracy.
At GaIesburg the principal event Of the
day was the reunion of the First brigade,
Thirty-sixth division, Twentieth army
corps, the former command of General
Harrison. The occasion was the gathering
not only of the old veterans formerly asso-
ciated with the president. but Of Grand
Army men from Ill sections Of the West.
Excursions from all the principal cities
within radius of 300 miles added to the
assemblage, and it was estimated that the
audiences which greeted President Hsrri-
son at Galesburg was not less than 25 5,000
At the depot the presidential party was
met by the mayor, the council and an army
of veterans, and escorted to the hotel,
where in an hours reception distinguished
citizens from all parts of the state greeted
the president The decorations through
out the city were profuse and elaborate.
Upon an arch on the reviewing stand be-
nesth which the president st God were the
words, 1--WE Welcome Our President"
Shortly after IL o'clock there passed in
review the veterans of the Twentieth army
corps, $500 school children of Central
Illinois, ard thousands of citizens. Among
the distinguished people on the stand were
Adjutant General Vance, OF Illinois, who
appeared IS the representative Of Governor
Fifer, who was unable to leave his official
duties; Secretary Of State Pierson, Mayor
Stevens, COngressmen Post and Hender-
son, General Arthur A. Smith. General
Miles, u. s. A., and General Dustin, de-
partment commander of the q. A. r. of
Illinois. At the conclusion of the parade,
the party repaired to the speakers stand in
front of the courthouse, where Mayor
Stevens welcomed the president to Gales
burg in . somewhat lengthy speech.
The president responding, said:
Mr.. Mayor and Fsllou Citizens: The magni-
tude of this great assemblage fills me with sur.
prise ana CONSERVATION 40 / am called to make
this attempt to speak with you. came here to
meet with the survivors of the old brigade.
came in expectation that the day would gener-
ally be spent in their companiouship and in
exchange OF those cordial feelings which ex-
press sondness and love- But to my surprise
found that here today the First brigade for the
first time in its history has been captured.
fGreat laughterI One or two have been able
to take by the hand, and some have ssen as
they marched by the reviewing stand, but they
seem to have been swallowed up in this vast
mass. / hope Gnere may YET De time Qur1ng
the day when shall be able to take
each OF them by the hand and assure them
that in the years OF separation since muster-out
day, have borne them all sacredly in affection
ate remembrance. They were body of repre-
sentative soldiers coming from these great CEN
tral states OF Ohio. Indiana and Illinois, and as
the borders of these states touched In friendly
exchange, so the elbows Of these heroes and
patriots touched in the great struggle for the
Union. [Appausel. Who should say who
were the chiefest where all were bravei The
distinction that Illinois may claim In connec-
ton with this organization is that. given equal
courage, fidelity and loyalty to every man, Ili-
nois furnished three-hfths of the brigade. ZAP
plauseI But possibly should withhold those
suggestions which come to me and which will
be more appropriate when we meet AZ q separ-
ate organization. lCries Of mo. goon."l
have been greatly impressed with this as
semblage today In this beautiful city of this
prosperous state. The thought has occurred to
me, and the more have thought of it the more
am Of the conclusion that nowhere on the
face OF the earth except in the United States oi
Ameries under no other flag that kisses any
breeze, could such an assemblage as this be
gathered. fApplause.l Who are these? Look
| into their faces and see the evidences of con.
| tentment, thrift, prosperity and intelligence
| that we read there. They come from the vii.
lage, city and farm. and are here today the
strength and rock Of our security a. q nation,
the people who furnished m invincible army
when the flag was in danger; the people upou