The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-09-16
M'KINLEY To
VETERANS.
Mckinley Says Pleasant Things
to Old Soldiers.
Tells Them He Is Proud of
Them.
ARE PATRIOTSALWAYS
He Declares That They Were
Noble Men
Before They Volunteered for
War, and Patriots Now.

Canton, Sept. 16.-The reception of
the old soldiers yesterday was most
enthusiastic. The woman's relief corps
and thousands of Cantonians followed
the parade to the Mckinley home
Every post in the county and many
from adjoining counties were represent
ed. Major Mckinley was given an ova-
ton and was interrupted by cheers at
intervals. Col. J. Clarke presented the
delegation in a stirring speech.
Major Mckinley said:
Col Clarke, My Comrades and Eel
low Cttizens:-It is a very great honor
to me, and one which I shall always
cherish, to receive a call from my old
comrades of the war, living in this
neighborhoOd. (AppIause.)
You are here today not as soldiers,
but as citizens-cttizens of the best
government in the World-made better
because of the services you rendered
nearly a third of a century ago. Gre
neWed applause) I bid you welcome
to my home and express to you in re-
Spouse to the generous and grateful
message delivered by Col. Clarke nv
most profound gratitude and thanks
It was a great thing to have been a
soldier in the late war. 1t is an honor
to be willing to give your life, health or
strength, if your country demands it:
and you were willing to do so and you
attested your patriotism upon many
fields during the war. (Cheers)
Happily we are now a reunited
country. Coming to this city to give
me congratulations not only are those
who served on the Union side during
that great struggle, but also the men
who served on the Confederate side.
Both nave been here to tender cOngrat-
ulatiOns and give me assurances of sup
port. (Great cheering)
Now all are citizens of a common
union; and all are ready to battle for
the Union and for the honor and integ-
r1ty OF the government of the United
States. Enthusiastic cheering) Thank
God all sectional lines have been oblit-
Grated. (ApplauSe.) And men from all
parts of our common country are to-
day, though having differed in the past.
marching under one banner upon which
is inscribed the national honor, the
maintenance of law and order. (Great
cheering.)
II am glad to meet you here today. I
was proud of you when in the field. I
am proud of you as citizens of the
Union which you helped to save CAP
plause)
mo grander, no better. no more
glorious army ever marched to battle
for nObler cause than the army of
which you were a part. Great cheer
ing.l
went to the war; you were good soldiers
in the war; you have been good citi-
zens ever since, standing by the same
old flag. (Applause.)
You were patriots then, you are pat
A1SN7 - w. 4 Va fA41OW no DaTCleS III
your Grand army posts. CCries of No.
no. nO') But you know patriotism
when you see it applause and cries
of You are right I thank YOU most
warmly for this call and for the cordi-
atty of your greeting and the racious
messages which have been delfV cred
by your spokesman, and as another
delegation is waiting I must close bv
saying that it will give me great
pleasure to shake each one of my old
comrades by the hand
When the handshaking was reached
there was q great rush. The delegation
from Somerset, Pa, over 2.0O0 was ap-
prOac ching and it was feared there
would not be time for all to get to see
Mckinley. The PennsyIvanians had
five bands and many banners and en-
blems. This delegation of farmers came
over $50 miles. State Senator Norman
3. Critchheld made the Introductory
address. Three times Major Mckinley
began to speak and each time was in
terrupted by cheering. and when he
concluded there was unusual eagerness
TO shake his hand.
Richard kerenS, national committee
man from Missouri was at the ATcKfn-
ley home. His state will send the first
big delegation OF farmers. from the west
October 3, along the Santa Fe road.
Mr.. Kerens says that with four tickets
in the field in Missouri, Republican sue
cess is highly probable. Everything
east of the AIleghenies. he says is safe.
without any additional work, and the
western situation is entirely satisfac-
tory.