Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1893-09-07
Nc k,NLky TO THE VETERANS.
Royal Welcome Given the Governor
by the Boys In Blue.


INDIANAPOLIS, Sept G. This saftHncon
several speakers were billed for Arm
strong park. and accordingly some $500
Grand Army men and their families
went to that place. where they were
forced to pay 10 cents each before they
could enter the park. This seemed
rather strange 10 many. as they had
never before been forced to pay for listen
ing 10 such famous speakers as Cover
nor Mckinley. The Ames band. with
thirty-two pieces. made music. while in
another portion OF the park competitive
music was played by a private band.
where under a pavilion dancing was GO
ing on after the fashion OF twenty year
age picnic. This seemed hardly in keep
ing with genuine Grand Army meet
ing, but the odd vets sat down under the
trees and waited patiently. At last
chorus OF shouts went up aud at
tentions was called 10 the entrance
gate. Governor Mckinley was coming
and everything was all right. II seemed
To be no longer n matter to the congre-
gated people whether or not anybody
else came Shout after shout and cheer
after cheer greeted the Ohio governor as
soon as his face was seen. Several other
veterans expressed their determination
10 carry MAJOR Mckinley from the tenn
porary stand 10 n larger edifice somc
distance away. but Mr.. Mckinley stepped
down spryly from the creaking planks
and with him tho whole gathering
moved over the hill When the latter
place had been reached, three cheers
were given and Mr.. Mckinley said:
COMRADES or THE GRAND ARMY or
THE REPUBLIc--It gives me great pleas
ure 10 meet and greet you today. was
unable TO be with you yesterday and
participate i'm the grand parade about
which read with great deal Of salts
faction. / came at the earliest oppor-
tunity. however. TO report for duty and
10 remain at your command. lCheers.l
think nobody in this country has a
better right TO meet In this country
than the Grand Army of the Republic
who preserved for US and all mankind
the best and noblest government on the
face of the earth. When the war began
we supposed no more than three months
- time would be required TO settle il.
bat we were mistaken. IL took thirteen
times three months TO conquer that
great rebellion against our country and
It's institutions. We had little idea of
what was Ia come out of that war. We
enlisted not for the sake of fame. popu-
lar applause or money. Our names were
not 10 he heraldcd abroad as those IL
heroes. we enlisted with the highest mo-
tives % patriotism. We thought the
union might be saved as IL was with all
its slavery.
We were not only willing 90 suffer and
die for the union. hut were determined
10 let nothing stand in the way of it's
preservation Lincoln said he would
save the union with or without slavery
and that be had registered an oath in
heaven 10 do II. but God would not let
us ssve the union with slavery. IL was
not for man our issue came. hut from
him who ~ the sovereign ~ life and
limb that all men might be free. We
have made and viii perpetuate forever
the frecst government under the sun.
The most marvellous thing IL that when
the great conflict wns over about L. .poo.-
CO men scattered like mists and went
everywhere There was no disturb
aDcc~. and there was no plupdering
hands. They al went home. dropped
into the quiet walks ~ citizen
chip and were Just "a good citi.
fens AZ they had been soldiers
Great applsusel There we're eome
who believed you had fought so long
and had become 80 urcd 10 scenes ~
carnage. you would return with blood
in your eyes. fShouts - But Ne did
not You disappointed them by he.
giusne the work of reconstruction. and
you have been building up THE guvtrn
ment ever since Applsuael All has
bern accomplished By great sacrifice.
bat What = there - good not gained
that way We paid the price - the
union IN the bl',od of the best mssa %
The land. ard like TSncin. We remember
that II is not what ne eav q them. hut
What they di1 that viii live.
To keep the Unitpsl States forever Is
the business ~ the Grand Army a the
Republic Rcs and a everybody. n
makes NJ difference ehat else they take
awav from - they canuot deprive % ~
our patriotism and lore for ~ oli ser.
IT.0ne sppiause And ~ viii frht ffr
4 inst the ssme II taey take away every
pension frDn u~. Mere aprlsuee
There - 10 cornrade<hip IN the worid
hke that Feanssei - the conauon feld.
arhtine Fcf csrignen cau@e
fsosrrncr Mckinley eas caught ~ ths
crowd. ~ho. llks esne q sshoolkoys