Evening star., 1896-07-17
Major Mckinley Addresses Old Sol
diers at Canton.
'ROGRE, ,SOF BRYAN TOWARD LINCOLN
William C. Whitney Announces
That He Will Bolt.
CURRENT POLITICAL NEWS


war called on Maj. Mckinley at Canton,
Ohio. yesterday afternoon. They came
from Cleveland on a special train, and they
called to congratulate him as comrades
and not as republicans or democrats, as the
spokesman said.
The bronze-badged veterans lined up
handsomely and marched to the music Of
Fasys Military Band. which they brought
with them The company represented the
Soldiers and Sailors Union of Cuyahoga
county. Two G. A. r. posts Of Canton and
the Canton troop of horsemen escorted
them to McKinley's home. where thousands
of citizens were gathered Addresses were
made by Commander Hugh Buckley, Sena-
tor W. T. Clark, Rev. George Boffer, E. L.
Patterson, c. C. Dewstoe, Capt. Bohm and
Maj. W. l.. Gleason, to which Maj. Mckin-
ley responded, as follows:
My comrades and fellow citizens: 1 re-
spond to your call with special gratifica-
ton. Nothing gives me greater pleasure
than TO meet at my home my comrades IN
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
patrlotli' memories; 1t recalls many STIR
ring and glorious events. How vividly they
rise before us, and what an Inspiration for
the right they always are. To have been
faithful soldier of the Union Is no less
source of joy in your advancing years and
infirmties than a precious legacy for fam
lily and friends. 1t blesses he who gives
and enriches he who receives. 1t IS a rec
ord of patriotism and service in the sever
est trials of our history.
Old Soldiers the Best Citizens.
1--WE all know something Of what that
war meant and what 1t cost; what sacri-
fees it exacted and for what a holy cause
the sacrifice was freely given. Treasure il
limitable, suffering indescribable and death
beyond previous record OF comparison. BY
far the larger number of our old comrades
of the Grand Army are sleeping in their
silent tents beyond the river, but though
death has decimated our ranks, it is con-
Soling reflection that more than a million
OF our comrades still survive. 1t is a graft
Tying thought that those who served their
country best in war have always been
among best and truest citizens in
peace. 1t is in the living present. however
and Its duties and responsibilities that ev-
cry old soldier is now, always. most
deeply interested. Each new engagement
OF the war brought it's own new trials and
perils to face and bravely overcome. The
devotion to discipline and duty which dis
tinguished them then has kept the Old SOL
dIerS true and steady ever since. They
have not faltered. and will not falter now
There has been no time since they laid
down their arms when We had greater need
lOF men imam now, and the
Sponse to the crisis of the hour will come
from all sections of our common country.
We have reached point in our history
when all men who love their country must
unite to defeat by their ballots the forces
which now assault the countryS honor.
The war has been over thirty-two years
and as result we have reunited country
a Union stronger and freer, civilization
higher and nobler. freedom brighter and
more enduring and flag dearer and more
sacred than ever beforehand all of them
safe from any enemy because the men who
a third of century ago fought In deadly
conflict unite in their masterful might to
oppose any enemy who would assail either
freedom or Union or flag.
The Threatened Danger.
THE struggle which is upon US, involving
national good faith and honor, will enlist
their united and earnest 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 ALL
What was won in that great conflict be-
longs just as sacredly to those who lost as
to those who triumphed.
You meet today not as soldiers. but as
citizens intel eSted now In maintaining the
credit of the country you served well,
and in restoring prosperity and better times
to our goodly heritage. The future is the
sacred trust Of US all, south as well as
north. Honesty, like patriotism, can neith-
er be bounded by state nor sectional lines
Financial dishonor Is the threa tened dan
ger now, and good men will obliterate old
lines of party in a 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 sacri-
feed and died for it. 1 will be glad. my
comrades. to meet you all personally"
Among Maj. McKinley's guests were DR..
W.. 8. springstein. Cleveland: A H. Rich
mond. manufacturer. of Providence, r. l.;
Representative Joseph w. Babcock Of Niece
dab. Wis. third Wisconsin district; Henry
G. Hedges. Mansfield; Mr.. Niels and l.. J.
Groin of Boston just returned from a trip
around the world. and George w. ConkIng
copper mine owner. Marquette, Mich.
lRYAN AT IxANSAS CITY