The morning call., 1890-10-09
AN EYENTFUL DAY.
The Chief Executive With His
Old Army Comrades.
Grand Reunion Of The First Brigade Of The
Twentieth Corps.
In Imposing Parade Of Veterans and School
Children Eloquent Speeches by
the President.
Special to THE MoRNING CALL.

riSOn arose early this morning, but he was
not early enough to escape the thousands of
eager Peorians who had assembled around
the hotel at which he stopped in that city.
AT o'clock band serenaded the President
and few minutes later the Mayor and City
Council, accompanied by the G. A. Il. posts
and a company of the Illinois National
Guard, escorted the party to the train. The
march was triumphal one, and all Peoria
turned out TO do homage to the Chief EX-
ecutiye. At the depot over 5000 people
were assembled, and the President, being
introduced by Mayor Starke, spoke as fol-
lows; My fellow-ci:izens, it is moi posi-
bic that l should introduce this morning any
serious theme. have greatly enjoyed this
trip through my OWa State and yours-sis-
teTS in loyalty and sacrifice for the Union;
sisters also in prosperity and honor. l find
myself simply saying, Thank you,' but
with an increasing sense of the kind
ness of the people. If anything could
add to the solemn sense of the re-
sponsibility which my official oath places
upon ME, it would be these evidences of
fIiendliness and confidence. Tie great
mass Of the people of this country are loyal,
loving, dutiful citizens, ready to support
every faithful officer in the discharge of his
duty, and to applaud every honest effort
for their good. 1t is n 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, l draw inspiration to do what | can
and the very best 1 can to promote the good
of the people of the United States. l go to-
day to meet with some comrades of your
State who stood with me in the great army
of the Union for the defense of our flag"
IN THE CAB.
At the conclusion of the Presidents ad-
dress, Elsie Leslie LydP, child, presented
the-Prcsident with beautiful bouquet Oh
behalf Of G. a. r. posts 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.
Al Peoria the Presidential party was met
Gy delegation from Galesburg on a special
train. Near GaleSburg the President, after
according reception 70 the Old veterans on
board, went forward with Secretary Tracy
and greeted Engineer Hilton, who was 4
member OF the Presidents brigade. On in
Wit ton Of the engineer, the President and
Secretary Tracy nnunted- the 5ifE5!laG nd
rode in the cab with the engineer tor few
miles. To the President the engineer grace
fully yielded the responsibility OF pulling
the whistle for stations and crossings, and
the fireman considerably turned over the
bell-rope to Secretary Tracy.
GENERAL HARRIsoN's OLD BRIGADE.
The principal event of the day was the re-
union at Galesburg of the First Brigade of
the Thirtieth Division of the Twentieth
Army Corps, the former command OF Cen
eral Harrison. The occasion was the gath
ering not only of the old veterans formerly
associated with the President, but of Grand
Army men from all sections of the West
Excursions from all the principal cities
within radius OF 800 miles added to the as
semblage and it was estimated that the au-
dipnce which greeted President Harrison at
GalrsbuTg was not less than $4,000.
At the depot the Presidential party was
met by the Mayor, Council and an army of
veterans, and escorted to the hotel, where in
an hours reception distinguished citizens
from all parts of the State and the West
greeted the President The decorations
throughout the city were profuse and elabo-
ate.
IMPOSING PARADE.
Upon an arch on the reviewing stand, be-
meath which the President stood, were the
words, We Welcome Our President"
Shortly after II O'Clock there passed in re-
view the veterans Of the Twentieth Army
Corps, $500 school children of Central
Illinois and thousands of citizens. Among
the distinguished people on the stand were
Adjutant-General Vance Of Illinois, who ap-
praTed as the representative of Governor
FlfeT, who was unable to leave his official
duties; Secretary of State Pierson. Mayor
Stevens Congressman Post and Henderson,
General Arthur a. Smith, General Miles,
L. ). a., and General Dustin, Department
Commander of the g. a. r. of Illinois.
At the conclusion of the parade the party
repaired TO the speakers stand in front OF
the Courthouse There Mavor Stevens
welcomed the President 10 Galesburg in a
somewhat lengthy speech.
THE PRESIDENTS ADDRESS.
The President in responding to the Mayors
address Of welcome said:
Mr.. Mayor and fellow citizens: The
magnitude of this great Assem- blage to-day
hls me with surprise and with consterna-
tion, as | am called to make this attempt to
sFeak 10 you. ! came here TO meet with the
survivors of my old brigade; | came in ex-
pectatiOn that the diy won d generally be-
spent in their companionship and i'll the eX-
change of those cordial reetings which eX-
press the foudness and love which we bear
to each other. But, to my surprise, l have
found that here to-day the First Brigade. for
the first time in its history, has been cap
tuTed. IGreat laughter One or TWO have
been able 10 take by the hand and some Of
them / have seen as they marched by the re-
viewing stand, but they seem to have been
swallowed up in this vast increase of their
war comrades and of their fellow citizens of
Illinois.
REPRESENTATIVE SOLDIERS.
81 hope there may yet be time during the
day when / shall be able TO take each of
them by The hand and assure them that in
these years of separation, since muster-out
day, l have borne them all sacredly in my
, atfectionate remembrance. They were a
body Of representative soldiers, coming from
these great States of Ohi1, Indiana and IlI- |
p nois, aud as the borders of these States |
4a1 in l1,r
OF these heroes and patriots touched in the |
great struggle for the Union. Who should |
say who were chiefest W here all were brave? !
The distinction that Illinois may claim in |
connection with this organization is that |
given equal courage, fidelity, loyalty TO every |
man. illinois furnished three-fifths of the |
brigade. (Applau5e.] But possibly l should |
withhold here those suggestions which come |
to me and which Will be more appropriate |
when | meet them as separate oTganiZa- |
ton. Cries Of mo; 90 on"
THE STRENGTH OF THE NATION
81 have been greatly impressed with this |
assemblage to-day in this beautiful city, in |
this prosperous State The thought has oc- |
CURED to me, and tile more | have thought |
OF It the more sure am Of the conclusion |
that nowhere on the face of the earth eX- |
cent in the United States of America, under |
no other flag that kisses any breeze, could |
such an aSSemblage be gathered. Applause |
and cheers.l VINO are these? Look into
their faces. See the evidences of content
nrent, thrift ana prosperity; the Intelligence
that we read in all these faces. They have
come from all these homes of the village,
city and farm, and bere they are to-day, the
strength and rock of our security rs ma
tlon-the people who furnished an inyinci-
.bie-army when the flag WAS in danger; the
people upon whose enlightened conscience
ana God-fearing Eearis this country may
rest with undaunted hope. Applause and
cheers.
THE SOURCE OF GOVERNMENTAL POWER.
Here is the ultimate distribution of gov
eTnmeDtal power, of all the efforts Of
President and Cabinets and Judges and
armies even, to maintain this country, to
continue 1t in the great career OF prosperity.