The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-06-19
AT CANTON.
The Ohio Towns Big Firebell
Is Rung
When the News Of McKinley's
Nomination
REACHES HIS HOME.
Fifteen Thousand People March
to His Residence.
NeighbOrs Congratulate Him
REACHES HIS HOME.
Neighbors Congratulate Him
and He Makes a Speech

Canton. O.. June LIT was a few sec
onds after the huge city fire alarm bell
had begun changing last evening, that
a. mnster parade of Is. 600 fellow soldiers
and fellow citizens formed by pre-ar-
arrangement in front Of the court house
and escorted BY the companies Of mi
litia under the command Of Captain
Harry Frease with bands and drum
corps. paraded UP North Market street
to Governor AcKinley's home on the
hill. The same tick that notified Gov
ernOr Mckinley of his animation over
the Associated Press wire, had set the
FIRE alarm going A score Of Governor
and MIS-. bIckinley's personal friends
had extended their congratulations be-
fore the parade reached the house.
Mr. A 3. Case made the opening ad-
dress. Mr. Case spoke as follows.
Major Mckinley. Your neighbors and
townsmen wish TO be first to cOngratu-
late you upon your nomination to the
highest Office within the gift Of the
people None know better than these
neighbors here assembled how well
this honor is merited. These were the
first to witness the beginning Of your
public career They saw you quit
your academic studies with the ardor
of youth and bravery beyond your
years, to devote your services to your
country. The courage and ability you
then displayed, a promise Of what fol
lowed In later years Won for you that
rank and title by which we have so
lon gand Familiarity addressed you. A
few of your veteran comrades have
again formed in the line and, joining
the citizens Of Canton, take the Oppor-
tunity TO make pronounced their high
regard for you. The ability and fidel-
ity with which you have dicharged great
public trusts, and the recognition Of
your countrymen of long and useful
service to the state and nation, are ex-
ceedingly gratifying to your Canton
and Clark county friends But we
come to you as neighbOrs, without dis
tinctiOn of party, bearing in mind that
while you have acted in q broader field,
you have not lost sight of the duties and
obligation of the citizen, and with
your many cares and responsibilities,
you have always found time and Op-
pOrtunity to lend your valuable assist
ance to all that makes for good in
your community. We all unite in eX-
tending to you our hearty cOngra tula-
tons and good wishes"
There was sea of faces for blocks
about, and after a whirlwind Of ap-
plause had greeted him, Ex-Governor
Mckinley responded as follows.
My friends and fellow citizens I
am greatly honored by this nomination.
Its non-p partisan character forbids pO-
litical discussion, and I appear only
to make grateful acknOWled cement to
your address and ongratula tions.
Il am not Indifferent to the pleasure
whieh you exhibit at the news just re
cefved from the Republican national
convention. For days your interest has
been centered upon St Louis and your
presence in such vast numbers testified
to your personal good VIII, as we'll as
your qualification with the work there
done Your cordial assurances are all
the more appreciated by me, because
they come from my fellow citizens, men
Of all parties, my neighbors, my former
constituents and my old army com
rades with whom I have lived, almost
a lifetime, and who have honOred me
over and over again with important
public trusts.
your warm words are reciproeated
and viii be long remembered. Many
of those around me have not always
agreed with me, nor with them, touch
ing political questions But it is pleas
ant, as I look into your faces 10 recall
that in all the years Of the past there
has never been 9. moment of time when
you have withheld from me your friend
ship.your encouragement and your con-
ddence. You have always been most
generously loyal. and my heart is fun
of gratitude to you all
There is nothing more gratifying to
any man than to have the regard and
esteem Of his fellow tOwnsmen, and in
this L have been particularly blessed
Never were neighbOrs more devoted or
unfaltering in their support than you
have been to me. You have always
made my cause your cause, and my
home among you has been an increas-
ing pleasure
This county and city is very dear to
me Here 7 have spent all Of my young
manhood and / have been identified
with the magnificent county for nearly
a third of a century.
II am glad to greet you here You
have never failed to greet me with
your best wishes and congratulations
upon every occasion on my nomination
to public Office, commencing 20 years
ago when i was first named by my par
ty for congress.
Il cannot undertake to estimate the
value of these many friendly demon
strations SO helpful 50 stimulating.
more than you could have anticipated
or believed at the time. Your call to-
day is warmly appreciated and thank
you from the bottom of my heart for
what You have said as expression Of
the feelings of those for whom you
speak This latest evidence of your