The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-09-04

Invitation and 1T gives me pleasure be-
yond the power OF words to express
to see you here His honor. Mayor
Doran, wilt ted you that you are indeed
welcome"
Mayor Doran stepped to the front of
the platform. and when the applause
had subsidized, read his address as fol-
lows:
Commander and Comrades. Ladies and Cen
tlemen:
Today st. Paul. the capital city and met
ropolis of the North Star state extends greet
ings and a generous welcome to the Grand
Army OF the Republic
The heart of every citizen in our borders
swells witt Just pride in the fact that the
grandest secular organization in the worlds
history, is, through It's chief leaders and
many thousands of its rank and file the guest
OF our beautiful city upon the hills.
st. Paul Is always proud of its past record
and OF its pi esent stability, but today is the
Red-letter day OF its rejoicing.
Thirty-fve years ago the infant state of
Minnesota. through its governor won the
proud distinction of rendering to the nation
al government the first regiment of men Of
fered with which to defend its treason-bele-
aguered capital. And today after the lapse
OF more than generation of time, Mime
sofa boasts the still grander distinction of
presenting to the representatives of that
grand army which conquered treason and
liberated a race. this same grand old war
governor the last of his race who sent to
came an army of freemen, numbering almost
g. 600 of men.
st. Paul and Minnesota venerate him today
for what he has done and for what he Is to
us. We connect his offering in April 1861
with the marvellous heroism of the First Min
nesota regiment upon the fateful field of Get
tysburg. And long as pride of valorous deeds
Swells the hearts of Minnesota's sons and
daughters. so long will we associate with
pride and reverence the name of the First
regiment with that of Alexander Ramsey
The Grand Army of the Republic was the
author during the war period of one of the
greatest acts of benefcence known in the
nails of history and for this it won imper-
ishable fame. But though its columns were
shattered and often broken by the shock Of
battle the lingering disease in hospital or
the unSpeakable horrors of the prison pen
yet its mission was not finished. For more
than thirty years 1t has turned its attention
from the strife of contending arms and has
furnished the noblest example of civic ODE
dience Show me worthy member Of the
Grand Army and / will show you a man who
has no place in his nature for anarchy or
diSobedience of law. AS from 1861 to 1866 1t
was your mission to suppress disorder and
disarm treason by force of arms so today it
is your proud boast that you have at all
times upheld the best and truest type of
American citizenship in time of peace
Cyncs or weaklings may doubt Sectional
or foreign prejudices may deride. But his
tory cannot forget you. nor time tarnish
the luster of your deeds. They are en-
craven upon the imperishabe golden tablets
Of memory of country redeemed. of race
or hOndSmen enfranchlSed and of world
looking for the supreme test whether govern
ment of the people could survive the shock
of attempted revolution.
Your deeds of valor upon the field of car
mage and your marvellous fortitude in en-
during suffering and privation were only an
index of your achievements as citizens Of the
grand Republic. you saved from reasonable
force and monarchal intrigue
Despite all efforts of opposition you have
for more than thirty years been in a large
degree the governing force that impelled our
ant in re ny nj cd IN
highest goal of material achievement known
to the of men. While heresies. not of
you. may have at times DISTRACTED the prog
ress of your onward march, it has ever been
the mission of the Grand Army of the Re-
public to array itself upon the side of the
right and of the truest Americanism.
And who can measure this influence? How
often it has been as potent for good as the
reinforcement of a great army by a few
thousand men in the crisis of battle none can
tell
For you 1t is sufficient to know that at all
times your duty has been faithfully per-
formed.
that shadowy lane whose decline each year
is more Marked and whose shadows are
lengthening. Your activities have moderated
and must continue TO grow less, while your
duty remains in unabated ratio. To me that
duty seemed to be that we train our youth,
our sons and daughters of veterans and those
who not, 10 be true sons and daughters
Of the Republic. Sons and daughters who
will cherish the principles of the Fathers Of
the Republic; who will cherish the public
school; cherish sobriety; cherish truth and
virtue; abhoring evil and besetting vices.
but respecting all that goes for the better
ment of morals and of the race. Let them be
taught that America Is better and American
customs are better, because they are Amerl-
can. Let them never forget that foreign
customs too freely adopted may foreignize
4 country that owes its greatness TO the TACT
That American customs and American ideas
nave made US what we are today-tne model
Republic, the greatest and best nation on
earth and the hope of the world. -,
But let me not presume to ADVISE my coH-
rades as to their duty. Let me rather say TO
you again that St. Paul is happy. and is de-
lighted at your coming and Will strive 10
make itself a liberal and genial host,
Be good to yourselves and we will strive 10
help YOU The hand of fellowship and OF
generous hospitality is extended TO you py
Sur home comrades and all our citizens III the
glad hope that having once seen US, you VIII
aot feei satisfied until you have seen us again
and often.
Ing In such keeping we feel secure ana
proud because we know your past ana are
willing to trust into hands that for -FOUR
long years upheld and preserved the emblem
Df our freedom.
Gen. Mason introduced Capt. Henry
A. Castle. who extended a warm greet
ing, and was in turn warmly greeted:
The empire state of the new Northwest has
proudly welcomed the reunion of the Grand
Army of the Republic to the hospitality OF
crowned with her plenteous harvests ana
beautiful St. Paul, throned on her enc1rcl1ng
terraces, have greeted with full-pulsing cor
iiality 30 600 veterans of the Union. The
chief executives of the state and the city
are here to formulate with due precision to
you. the accredited representatives of these
veterans that welcome which has been in
formally spontaneously, exuitantly bestowed
upon them by the people themselves
To me has been assigned lighter, simpler
task. When at Louisville one year ago
claims
attention. my pleadings fell on friendly ears
The competition for your favor was sharp,
and the temptation to overstate the case
would, to many men, have been irresistible
| resisted-manfully, vigorously, successfully.
l tried to tell you that st. Paul the
senior segment of a twin metropolis, placed
at the geographical center and fertile heart
core of the continent, nested among the
head springs Of her three great river systems,
easily dominating all the commercial arteries
OF the emlsphere-conSequently all roads
lead hither, with wayside inns convenient
and tolls at the minimum. l promised you
fine weather. but that super1uous-we
never have any other kind. | tried to picture
our smooth streets, and when our rivals,
with a curiosity as searching as Croton oil,
inquired about our hills, l defantly pro-
claimed that the grades all dipped toward the
terminal. Nothing is so dangerous to an
invitation speech as a breech- loading inter
rogation point; but truth is mighty--you
marched yesterday all the way down hill.
l tried to make you understand that you
would be coming among friends and would
be properly cared for. There also | was
firmly entrenched among the eternal verities.
Now I am charged with the superfuous
duty of pointing out that all our pledges have
been faithfully fulfilled The draft which |
indorsed and you accepted, draft perhaps on
your credulity, draft assuredly upon your
kindness, your Partially, your fraternity.
may be Cancelled now. Twelve shining
months have run their speedy round, and
you are here. Our promises were mild; our
performance has been conscientious and lit