The Ravalli Republican. [volume] (Stevensville, Mont.) 1894-1899, 1895-06-26
TIL: VETERANS AT OTTAWA
Mckinley Talks to the Old
Soldiers OF Kansas,
Touching incidents Of the Occasion
--McKinley and Morrill,
Both Affected.

Ottawa, Kan, June 2O.-It IS cs-
timatcd that fully 10000 were here
today. At 10 o'clock Attorney GEN
eral Dawes addressed the audience Of
5000 people who packed the tabcr-
naclc. While aDawcs was speaking
Governor Mckinley appeared on the
platform and q few minutes later
Governor Morrill, arrived. I,X-Goy-
crlor George II. Anthony had charge
OF the exercises Of the day, which be-
gan with songs by the Modoc club.
Governor Morrill, said that on behalf
Of tha g. 4. Il. Of Kansas he vel
coined OhiUs governor. and in doing
50 his breast swc!led with pride, for
Kansas had sent to war more soldiers
III proportion to the population than
any other state He welcomed Nc
kinlcy as governor Of Ohio, as Il dis
tinguisiled citizen, and last and best,
as true lcartcd-cOnradc who had
marched side by side With heroes who
had fought to preserve the union
Governor Mckinley arose and the
two men graspcd hands, while the
multitude chccred and waved hand
kcrchicfs. hats canes and every
available object.
Governor Mckinley said that no
greeting was 50 sacred us Il welcome
which came from his old comrades OF
the Grand Army OF the Republic.
lie thanked Morrill, from the bot
tom Of his heart for the welcome SO
sincere and earnest. lie remembered
his services with Governor Morrill, in
tho national house Of representatives.
lie remembered him most because
he 50 faithfully stood by the flag and
his comrades Of the Grand Army,
Here Governor Morrill, was visibly
affected and his eyes filled. Gov
trnor Mckinley, too, was overcome,
and he tried to rally by saying in
jocular manner that he was glad to
come to Kansas because 50 much Of
cover and the scene ended with pro-
lOngcd cheering. Thousands filed
past and shook hands with the GOV
crnors. At O'Clock, the hour set
for Mckinlcy's address to the old
soldiers, every chair and every foot
Of Standing room beneath the eXpau-
sivc roof was occupied.
Governor Mckinley read his ad-
dress from manuscript, In the
course Of his address he said:
"Whcn patriotism has fled from
the tic hearts Of the masses, the.
country is near dissolution and death.
Patriotism is an absolute consccru-
tioli TO country. it is the total aban-,
dOnlncnt OF this, it is the turning
away from plans which have been
formed fOr Iiir.s carocr. 1t is the
sunGcring OF al! the Ties or home and.
family, and almost the Swapping OF
heart strings which bind us to those
VIC love. 1t is the conservation Of
sell to the demands: Of country. 1t
may mean diseases contracted bv cx-
posurc or from wounds in battle: it
may mean hunger, lnirst and starya-
ton. LII oar own civil war it meant,
all Of these. In this land OF the
free and home OF the brave there
were nearly 3,OOO,OOO who SO loved
liberty and union that they were
willing at ut amy cost to follow the
flag. The blood Of hall u million
men was cxactcd in the fearful con-
tllct to save the country. Can We
ever cease to be debtors to these men.
Is there any reward they should not
receive? Is there any emolumcnt
too great for them? Is there any
honor to these patri otc men
which living people can bestow that
they should not cNtcud::"
The speaker compared the manner
Of honoring the old wurricrs in diff
fcrent countries and said the graft
tudc Of the people Of this country is
of that patriotic character which
recognizes no title. permits no dis
examinations, and the soldier,
whether Of the rank or file. the line
or staff. who fought and fell for lib
crty ana union are warmly cherished
in the memories Of this great and
glorious people. AS Il most vivid
OF the Sutferinys of the
volunteer army, Governor Mckinley
fOrcibly recited the story disclosed
by the pension list, which contained
more than 100000 invalid soldiers,
and sailors widows. TO be tho
worthy son Of Il union veteran in tho
civil war will be a mark OF distinc.
tlon and honor. This legacy is one
that will not perish. 1t is Il prices
less gift to our children. a precious
to them to the remotest gen.
Grafton.
Governor Mckinley and party and
Governor Morrill, and other state Off.
GERS at $40 took the north bound cx-
press. Several thousand who had as
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