The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-08-25
MKlNLEY At BUFFALO.
The President Banqueted by Com
!; rades Of the Grand Army.
HIS SPEECH TO THE VETERANS.

1Ionor-The Presidents Tribute to
the Soldiers of the South.
Buffalo. Aug. 25.-From dawn to
darkness. and from twilight to mid
night. the great gathering of the Grand
Army Of the Republic waxed greater
and grander. The weather has been
all that could be wished for. The Grand
Army has turned out more men than
ever before attended national en-
campment, and this is true also of
the ex-Pl1soners of War association.
the Naval Veterans and the Woman's 8
Auxiliary bodies. From early morn
ing I'LL late at night Main street held
q continuous procession of posts. Scores
Of them brought bands, and few. In
deed, had no music. The features Of
the day were the arrival of President
Mckinley. accompanied by Secretary
Alger and Governor Black. of New
York, the banquet to the president last
evening and the parade Of the Naval
Veterans and ex-Prisoners of War in
the morning. During the day there
were more than 30 corps, brigade. regi-
mental and company reunions. The
Naval Veterans. cx-Prisoners of War.
Ladies' Of the q. A. II. and the Asso-
citation of Nurses held their conven-
tions, and there were many receptions
given by and to the ladies' of the aux
Hilary associations. A trip on the lake,
participated in by about 1000 ladies'.
was one Of the pleasantcst Of the many
entertainments. Last evening there
were number of campfires for the
men. and receptions and musical en-
tertainments for the ladies.
At the request Of the citizens Of Buf.
falo President Mckinley consented to
ride at the head Of the line in the G.
A. r. parade today as far as the re-
viewing stand. There he will take tho
seat previously assigned tU him and
review the veterans as they pass by.
The president viii occupy carriage
with General Rogers, of Buffalo. and
will be escorted by Commander-in-
Chief Clarkson and his staff.
From the moment that the special
train that bore the president and his
retnue to the city arrived until he re-
tired last night there was one glorious
and spontaneous demonstration, and
President Mckinley said that he had
never before half appreciated the
warmth Of sentiment among the vet
erans. From the depot to the Niagara
hotel, distance of two miles, tho
streets were lined with people. and at
the hotel, in front Of which there Is a
great square. the police and soldiers
from the nearby barracks, even with
the reinforcement Of extras, had difl-
cult work to keep the multitude In line.
Even when. with Mrs. Mckinley and
Governor Black the president had en-
tered the hotel and vanished from
sight there followed after him the
cheers of the people until he was
Obliged 10 come to the balcony, where,
after some sort of order had been re-
stored. he said
II come to greet You and to thank
you at the same time for your gen.
erous welcome. The Grand Army of
the Republic seems to be OIL foot today,
but not carrying arms. Those were
long since laid aside, and the Grand
Army of the Republic is today dedl-
Gated to peace and the Union forever.
am glad to b. In the city of Buffalo
with my comrades Of 81 and 'G5 and
my comrades now. thank you all, and
bid you good afternoon"
Shortly after o'clock Columbia post,
dressed In handsome fatigue coats and
white duck trousers, arrived at the
hotel and acted as escort to the presi-
dent to the lGllicott building, where
the post entertained the president at
Q banquet.
As the president passed from the ho-
tel to the banquet hall the police had
to literally drive way through for
the carriages. and the Elllcott cor
ridors We're SO densely packed that the
president had to be lifted through by
policemen. In the reception room Of
the club he met prominent citizens Of
Buffalo, and then little later he en-
tered the great banquet hall as the
guest of honor of Columbia post. Of
Chicago. with 900 other distinguished
guests and soldiers.
When an elaborate menu had been
discussed TO the satisfaction of the
guests the toastmaster called for Gov
ernor Frank 8. Black, who extended a
welcome, for Columbia post, to Presl-
dent Mckinley.
At 8 o'clock Senator Mark A. Hanna,
who had just arrived in the city, came
into the banquet hall. His entry was
noted by applause at the further end
of the hall, and as the proceedings
paused President McKinl,y y rose from
his scat and moved along the hall to
meet him. There was shout of ap-
plause as the two men clasped hands
and the presidents left hand went up
OIL Mr.. Hanna's shoulder. Both took
their seats amid applause. Mr. Hanna
had to hold a levee. Closely following
Mr.. Hanna's entrance 1t was announced
that tho president, desiring to hear
Archbishop ireland and other speak,
ers, had decided to make brief visit
to some of the campfres and then re-
turn. He left, accompanied by Com
mander- in Chief Clarkson.
The toastmaster then announced the
next toast, THE City of Buffalo We'll
comes the Grand Army" Mayor jew
EFT responded.
While Mr.. Jewett was speRIing the
president returned, and for a few min
utes pandemonium reigned supreme.
Somebody yelled Wheat 103, silver 40."
u cry that was taken up and repeated
again and again.
When Mr.. Jewett had finished his ad-
dress President Mckinley was intro
duced, and for fully five minutes it
seemed as though the roof would have
to fall or the side walls bulge with the
roars of applause and greeting. Then
the president said. very slowly and
distinctly:
II wish I might frame fitting words
to make suitable response to the more
than gracious welcome which you have
accorded rae. come with no studied
phrases to present to you, but come
in the spirit OF comradeship, to talk
with you as we have often talked in
the past. around the campfires in war