The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1896-07-23
WERE COMRADES IN WAR
MkISLEY WAS VISITED BY FIVE
HUNDRED G. A. II. VETERANS.
Aged Soldiers Are Told That IL Bat
tie for Financial Honor Is
at Hand.

Canton. Ohio, July 16.-Five hundred old
veterans, comrades of the war called
on Major Mckinley this afternoon. They
came from cleveland on special train,
and called to congratulate as com
rades," and not as republicans or demo-
Gratis, as their spokesman said The
bronze-badged veterans lined up hand
somely and marched with vigor to the
music Of Fahys military band. which
they brought with them. The company
represented the soldiers and sailors of
the union of Cuyahoga county. Two c.
A. r. posts of Canton and the Canton
troop of horsemen escorted them to
Major McKinleys home, where thous-
ands Of citizens were gathered. Addresses
We're made by Commander Hugh Buck
ley and others.
Major Mckinley responded: my Com
rades ana Fellow-cltzens: / respond to
your call with special qualification.
Nothing gives me greater pleasure than
to meet at my home my comrades I'm the
civil war. The ties of fraternity and
friendship grow stronger and dearer as
the years recede, and the old guard. one
by one, is called home Your presence
revives many patriotic memories. 1t re-
calls many stirring and glorious events.
How wildly they rise before us, and
what an inspiration for the right they
always are.
~ nave Detu Il ldllnIul SOlulcr OF the
United states Is no less a source of joy
to your advancing years and infrmities
than precious legacy for family and
friends. IL blesses him who gives and
enriches him who receives. 1t Is a rec
ord of patriotism and service in the Sc
verest trials of our history. We all
know something of what that war meant
ana what 1t cost. what sacrifice 1t exact
ed and for what holy cause the sac
riice was freely given. Misery illlmit-
able, suffering indescribable and death
Beyond previous record or comparison
by far the largest number of our old
comrades of the grand army are sleeping
IN their silent tents beyond the river,
but though death has diminished our
ranks, 1t Is a consoling reflection that
more than a million of our comrades
survive Our gratifying thought is that
those who served their country best in
war have always been among our best
ana truest citizens in peace. 1t Is in
the living present, however, and it's du-
ties and responsibilities, that every old
soldier is now as always most deeply in
terested. Each new engagement of the
war brought its own trials and perils to
race and bravely overcome. The devo-
ton to duty and discipline which dis
tinguished them has kept the old SOL
diers true and steady ever since. They
have not faltered, ana will not falter
now.
There has been no time since they laid
down their arms when we had greater
need for patriotic men than now. and the
response to the crisis of the hour will
now come from all sections OF our com
mon country. We have reached a point
IN our history when all men who love
their country must unite to defeat by
their ballots the forces which row assail
the country's honor. TIE war has been
over 81 years. and as a result we have
a reunited country, a union stronger and
freer civilization higher and nobler
freedom brighter and more enduring,
and nag dearer and more sacred than
ever beforehand all of them safe from
any enemy, because the men who 4 third
of century ago fought in deadly con-
1ict unite in their masterful might to
oppose any enemy who would assail
either freedom of the union or flag
THE struggle which is now upon us.
involving the national good faith and
honor, will enlist their united and ear
nest services until those who are arrayed
against the public faith shall be routed
and dispersed. The bitterness of the war
belongs to the past. Its glories are the
common heritage of us all. What was
won in that great conflict belongs lust
as sacredly to those who lost as to those
who triumphed You meet today as citi-
zens Interested now in maintaining the
credit of the country you have served so
well, and in restoring prosperity and
better times to our heritage. The future
is the sacred trust of us all, the south as
well as the north. Honesty, like patriot
ISM can never be bounded by state nor
sectional lines. Financial dlshonor Is
the threatened danger now, and good
men will obliterate the lines of party in
an united effort to uphold American
honor
This you have always done, and you
must strive to keep the union worthy of
the brave men who sacrificed and died
for It. | will be glad. my comrades, to
meet YOU all personallv"