The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1896-07-23
McKINLEY'S SPEECH.
Delegations Of Old Soldiers from
Cleveland Visit Canton

Over 500 old soldiers from Cleveland, o.
visited Mai. Mckinley at his home in Cantor
July l6. special train had been chartered
for the occasion, and the spokesman oil The
party announced that they did not come a;
Republicans or Democrats but as comrades
who had marched and fought under the same
flag Most of the visitors were in uniform
and were headed by band brought from
Cleveland Two GA. e. Posts Of Canton acted
ms escort. Addresses were made ly Commander
Hugh Buckley. Senator w. 4. Clark, Rev. Geo
Pfetler, E. L. Patterson. C. c. Dewstoe, Capt
Bohm, and Maj. W. L. Gleason, to which Maj
Mckinley responded:
My comrades and fellow-citizens: re-
Hpond to yOuI call with special graft cation.
Nothing gives me greater pleasure than 70
meet at my home my comrades in The war
My friendship grows stronger and dt.feT AZ
She years recede and the Old guard, one Icy cne'
is called home Your presence rev8res many
patriotic memories; 1t recalls many stirring
and glorious events. bow wildly they rise
before US, and what 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 infirmitie than
q precious legacy for family and friends. 1t
blesses he who gives, and enriches be who re-
ceives. 1t is q record Of patriotism and service
IN the seyerest trials Of our country. APP
plsuse
meant and what it cost; what sacrifice it ex-
acted, and for what a holy cause the sacrifice
was freely given. Treasure ilimitabe, suffer
ing indescribable and death beyond previous
record or comparison. By far the larger num-
Der OF our old comrades OF the Grand Army are
sleeDing in their silent tents beyond the
river, but though death has decimated our ranks
it is a ccnsoling reflection that more than
million of our comrades still survive. II is
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 living present, however and its
duties and responsibilities that every old SOL
der 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 devotion TO disci-
pline and duty which distinguished them then
has kept the old soldiers true and steady ever
since [Applause,l They have not faltered
aud 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
come from all sections OF our common country.
fGrest applause.
1--WE have reached a point in o1T history
when ali men who love their country must
unite to defeat by their ballots the forces which
now assault the countTy's honor The war has
been over 80 years and as result we have
reunited country, Union stronger and freer,
q civilization higher and nobler, freedom
brighter and more enduring, and a flag dearer
and more sacred than ever before, and all OF
hem safe from any enemy because the men
who a third Of century ago fought IN deadly
conflict unite in their masterful might TO OPP
pose any enemy who would assail our freedom,
DIT Union, or flag. [Cheers.
"The struggle which is upon us, involving
National good faith and honor, will enlist their
united and earnest services until those who
are arrsyed against the public faith shall be
routed and dispersed. The bitterness of the
war belongs 70 the past. its glories are the
common heritage o. US all. What was won III
that great conflict belongs just as sacredly to
those who lost as to those who triumphed.
" You meet to-day not soldiers. but as
citizens interested now ia maintaining the
credit of the country you served SO 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 neither be bounded by
State nor sectional lines. Financial dIshonor
is the threatened danger 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 10 keep the Union worthy of the brave 4
men who sscr feed and died for ii.
81 will he glad. my comrades to meet you
ali personally Loud cheering.l