The herald., 1896-07-17
VETERANS VISIT M'k|NLEY
They Call as Comrades, Not as
Politicians
THE CANDIDATE RESPONDS
Recalling Memories Of the Days 10 the
Field
publican Candidate Wants All the Sol
dlsrs' Votes to Be Obtained
Annotated Press Special Wire.

Assoctated Press Special wire.
CANTON, O., July 18-Five hundred
veterans, comrades of the war, called on
Major Mckinley this afternoon. They
came from Cleveland on a special train,
and they called to congratulate him as
Comrades and not as Republicans or
Democrats, as their spokesman said.
The bronze badge veterans lined up
handsomely and marched with vigor to
the music of Fahy's Military band,
which they brought with them. The
company represented the soldiers and
sailors Of the union Of Cuyahoga county.
Two G. A. r. posts Of Canton and the
Canton troop of horsemen, escorted
them to Major McKinley's home. where
thousands of citizens were gathered.
Addresses were made by Commander
Hugh Bunckley. Senator w. T. Clark.
Rev. George Peer, e. L. Patterson, c.
c. Dewstoe. Captain Bohm and Major
ley responded:
my Comrades and Fellow Citizens:
I respond to your call with special graf
ification. Nothing gives me greater
pleasure that 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 patriotic
memories. 1t recalls many stirring and
glorious events. How vividly they rise
before us, and what an inspiration for
the right they always arel
ITO have been a faithful soldier of the
union Is no less a source Of JOY to your
advancing years and infirmities than a
precious legacy for family and friends.
It blesses him who gives and enriches
him who receives. 1t is a record Of patri-
otism and service in the severest trials
If our history. (Applause.)
I'VE all know something of what that
var meant and what 1t cost; what sacri-
fees 1t exacted and for what q holy
Dause the sacrifice was freely given.
treasure illimitable. suffering indescrib.
Able and death beyond previous record
or comparison. BY far the largest num-
ber 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 still survive.
TT Is a gratifying thought that those
who served their country best in war
have always been among our best and
truest citizens in peace. 1t is in the liv-
Ing present, however, and its duties and
responsibilities that every old soldier is
now. as always, most deeply interested.
(Applause.)
Each new engagement Of the war
brought its own new trials and perils
to face and bravely overcome. The de-
votion to discipline and duty which dis
tinguished them then has kept the old
soldiers true and steady ever since. GAP
plause.) 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 for patriotic men than
now, and the response to the crisis of
the hour will now come from all Sec
tions of our common country. (Great ap-
plause.) We have reached q point in
our history when all men who love their
country must unite to defeat by their
ballots the forces which now assail the
ccuatry's honor. The war has been over
thirty-two years. and as result we have
a reunited country. a Union stronger
and freer. a civilization higher and
nobler a freedom brighter and more
enduring, and a flag dearer and more
sacred than ever beforehand all of them
safe from any enemy, because the men
who, a third Of a century ago fought In
deadly conflict, unite in their masterful
might to oppose any enemy who would
assail either freedom of Union or flag.
(Cheers.)
"The struggle which is upon u.s. in
volving national good faith and honor,
will enlist their united and earnest SER
vices until those who are arrayed
against the public faith shall be routed
and dispersed. The bitterness of the
war belongs to the past. It's glories are
the common heritage of us ALL What
was won in that great conflict belongs
just as sacredly to those who lost as to
those who triumphed.
You meet today, not as soldiers, but
as citizens interested now In maintain
Ing the credit of the country you served
SO well and in restoring prosperity and
better times to our heritage The future
is the sacred trust of us all, south as
well as north. Honesty. like patriotism.
can neither be bounded by state or sec
tional lines. Financial dishonor 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 Won
must strive to keep the Union worthy of
brave men who sacrificed and died
for it.
II will be glad. my comrades, to meet
you all personally. Cloud cheers and
applause
CAMDAgGN DI ANNvNo