The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-07-17
ADDRESSES THE VETERANS
Major Mckinley Makes a Tell
ing, Patriotic Speech at
Canton.
Duties of the Soldiers of the Past
Compared With Those of the
Present.

CANTON, ONO. July 16.-With colors
flying and band playing, the Cuyahoga
County Soldiers and Sailors Union
marched from their special train TO Major
McKinley's house late this evening. The
organization is composed of veterans OF
the War OF the Rebellion and is non-par-
tisan. A number of snort speeches were
made. The speakers were Hugh Berkeley,
Hon. w. T. Clark. Chaplain George w.
Pepper, ex-Consul at Milan; E. L. Patter-
son, Z. H. BONN, w. ]. Gleason and G. @.
Deostoe.
When Major Mckinley arose to speak
he was greeted with prolonged cheers.
he said:
NY comrades and fellow-eitlzens: respond
to your call with a special qualification. Moth
ing gives me greater pleasure than to meet
at my home my comrades in the Civil War.
The ties of fraternity aud friendship grow
stronger and dearer as the years recede and
the old guard one by one is called home. Your
presence reyiYes many patriotic memories,
many stirring and glorious events How
viyidly they rise before us and what an in
spiration for the right they always are To have
been faithful soldier of the Union is no less
a source OF joy in your advancing years and
infrmities than legacy for family and
friends. 1t blesses him who gives and en-
riches him who receives. 1t is record OF
patriotism and service in the severest trials of
our history. IApplausel
We all know something of what that war
meant and what it costs; what sacrifice it ex-
acted and for what holy cause the sacrifice
was freely given-treasure illlmi table, 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 sleeping in their silent tents beyond the
hit ha m 0ur
ranks, It is a consoling reflection that more
than a million of our comrades still survive.
1t is q gratifying thought that those who
served their country best in war have always
been among our best and truest citizens
peace. 1t is in the living present, however,
and its duties and responsibilities that every
soldier is now, as always, most deeply inter-
ested [Applause.1
Each new engagement of the war brought
its new trials and perils, and they were
bravely overcome. The devotion to discipline
and duty which distinguished them then has
kept the soldiers true and steady ever since.
| [Applause.l
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 power will come from all
sections of our common country. lGreat ap-
plausel We have reached point in our his
| tory when all men who love their country
must unite to defeat by their ballots the
! forces which now assault the country's honor.
| The struggle which is upon US, involving
| National good faith and honor, win enlist
their united and earnest services until those
| who are arraigned against the public faith
| shall be routed and dispersed. The bitterness
| of the war belongs to the past. Its glories are
| the common heritage of US all. What was won
| in that great conflict belongs just as sacredly
| to those who lost those who triumphed.
You meet to-day not as soldiers, but as citizens
| in terested now in maintaining the credit and
honor of the country you served so well and
in restoring prosperity apd 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. tGreat applause.l Financial dishonor
is the threatened danger now, and good men
will obliterate old lines OF party in united
effort to uphold American honor. This you
have always done, and you must strive TO
/ keep the Union worthy of the brave men who
1 sacrificed and died for it. / viii be glad my
com rades, to meet you all personally. ILouo
cheering and applauSe.1