The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-10-10
A UNITED COUNTRY.
The Republican Nominees Welcome
to Virginia EN-Confederatcs.

to Virginia Ex-Confederatcs.
In response to A. P. Funkhouser, of Har-
risonburg, Va, and General John e. Roller,
who spoke in behalf of the delegation of
ex-Confederates from the Shenandoah val
ley. Major Mckinley said
My Fellow-citiZens-I reciprocate the
generous and gracious words which have
been spoken in your behalf by your elo-
quent spokesman. / welcome to my home
the representatives of a State of proud an
cestral memories. the State of Washington,
the president of the convention which
framed the federal Constitution and the
first and foremost President of the United
States; the State Of jefferson, the author
of the Declaration of independence, which
lighted the torch of liberty that has di-
expounder of the federal CONSTITUTIONS and
the State of Monroe who promulgated the
great doctrine of international law that
prevents European interference in this
hemisphere; the State that was generous in
the concessions of territory that gave Ohio
70 the federal Cnlon. Thrice welcome, men
Of Virginia, men of the Shenandoah valley;
thrice welcome are the descendants of sucn
noble sres to my heart and home.
Patriotism is not bound by State or
class or sectional lines We are a reunited
country. We have but one nag. the glo-
rious the stars and stripes. which ali of
us love so well, and that mean to trAn..
NIT IN honor ana story to our children,
North and South Sectlonalism was sur
rendered at ADDomattox. and the years
that have followed have removed whatever
lingering resistance then remained. Indeed
fectually destroy it, it has been furnished
in the events OF the contest now upon us
for the honor of the American name and
that permanent peace which was the dy-
ing prayer of the great captain of ar
mics. Ulysses S. Grant
The spirit of a fervent Americanism is
abroad in the land and no more earnest or
sincere is this sentiment in the North than
in the South. This year the words of your
veteran legion borne on your breasts to-
day-No North, no South. no East no
West, the Union forever-sounds forth like
tots
is an expression of the purpose of the
American people, both North and South
proclaiming liberty union and honor as the
war, either side. and of every patriot
in the country. The inspiring and uncon-
querabie sentiment OF this campaign is
country first. country last, and country
with stainless honor, all the time The
voice of the misguided partisan is not
responsive chord this year. The voice of
prejudice and hate is lost in the grand
chorus of peace and good will, national
unity and national integrity.
mo stronger evidences no other testi-
mony is required to prove that sectional
lines are obiiterated and that the war has
long been over than the presence in Cam
ton to-day of this large assemblage of ex-
Confederate soldiers. travelling from the
valley of the Shenandoah. in Virginia,
which marked the bloody pathway OF the
war. to testify their devotion to the
broken and never-to- be- broken Union
and their purpose TO uphold its credit and
tolans y new danarture II fs an insnirint
and uplifting scene il lifts US up above
the plane of mere partiSanship. These cit
izens who fought against you are also here
TO give you hearty and hoSpitable welcome
marching side by side with you under the
same flag. No longer have they arms in
their hands. but love and respect for each
other in their hearts. 1t is a spectacle
which our eyes have longed see. North
and South. a consummation devoutIy
wished for and prayed for. and for which
sensible as | am of it's import / cannot
find words to give my gratitude suitable
expression
Men who were engaged in deadly con-
fict against each other thIrty-one years
ago stand on common platform OF
fraternity and union. vying with each 9TH
er in joyous rivalry in their loyalty to tie
glorious old stars and stripes. meeting not
as enemies. but friends, lighting for the
engaged mankind-the glorious cause of
country and its spotless honor.
Il think j may be pardoned if / say that
| have great pride and gratification in this
call of ex-Confederate soldiers. 1t has
touched my heart profoundly. 1t is prob
ably the first call Of it's kind that was
ever made upon a presidential candidate
of the Republican party. or possibly of any
other party. ! regard ii as another and
most significant assurance that complete
/ reconcilati ton has come, and that the South
! and North as in the early lifetime of the
Republic, again together in heart as
we'll as in name. 1t win quicken every pa
/ triotic pulse from one end of the country
to the other. 1t is a glorious example of
patriotic devotion which might well be en-
ulated by some people. both in the North
and South. Few of them, happily there
! are, who would profit by tanning the flames