The National tribune., 1897-09-02
PRESIDENT ENTERTAINED.
Comrade Mckinley the Special Guest
at Banquet and Reception.

While President Mckinley was received with
an ovation whenever he appeared in public
during the Encampment, yet he was especially
honored in two social events. One was ban
quet given by Columbia Post, of Chicago, on
the evening of Aug. "a. The banquet was
given at the Ellicott Club. and $50 covers were
laid. No expense spared to make it the
most elegant thing OF its kind ever put on IN
Buffalo.
Columbia Post is the silk-stocking Post of
the West. 1t is composed of 100 members, in
Guiding some of the most prominent citizens OF
Chicago The Commander, Charles II. Nc
Connell, and other officials also stand high in
business and social circles.
The members of the Post escorted the Presi-
dent to the place of banquet. Among the
guests we're COMMANDMENTS Chief T. S. Clark
son, Archbishop Ireland, Mayor Jewett, Sena-
tor Mark Hanna. Gen. Russell 4. Alger, Gov.
Frank S. Black, James E. Curtiss. Chaplain-in-
Chief Mark b. Taylor, Wilson S. Bissell, Hazen
s. Pisgree. of Michigan; Past Commander
in Chief Il. w. Lawler, Representative r. B.
Mshany, Representative ID. S. Alexander, C.
Porter Johnson, of Chicago; Col. Blackman, OF
Chicago; Col. Gage, Gen Walker. Gen. komits
Col John ID. Weber, Col. ]. II. Horton, Col.
Atkinson, Alderman Fitch, of Chicago; Henry
d. Estabrook, of Chicago; Ferd w. Peck, of
Chicago; Gen. John ). Wise and Augustus r.
Scbeu.
Several of these gentlemen spoke to the var-
GUS toasts The President during the evening
made hurried visit to the Campfres, to which
he had been invited, and returned in time to
enjoy some of the speechmaking, aud address
the guests.
He was on the program to respond to the
toast The Country and its Defenders"
He said, in part g / wish / might frame fit
ting words to make suitable response to tine
moro than gracious welcome which you have
accorded me here tonight. l come In the
spirit of c0mradeshp. Blessed Is that country
whose defenders are patriots. Blessed is that
country whose soldiers fight for it, and are
willing to give the best they have the best
that any man has-their own lives-to preserve
it because they love it. Such an army the
United States has always commanded in every
crisis of her history. That was the stuff OF
which the volunteer army of 81 was made.
Every one of them not only fought, but they
thought And many of them did their own
thinking, and did not always agree with their
commander You all remember that young
soldier who, in the late war, carried the flag
far ahead of the line of battle and color guard,
but the enemy still in front of him. The Gen.
erai called out to the color bearer: Bring those
colors back to the line and quicker than any
| bullet that young soldier answered back
| Bring the line up to the colors.
And so more than 100000 brave men thus
| responded aud made up an army grander than
| tread, and engaged in holier conflict than
| ever soldiers did before.
| "What defenders, my countrymen, have We
| now? We have the remnant of this old, mag
| nifcent, matchless army of which / have been
speaking, and then, as allies in any future war
| we have the brave men who fought against us
on Southern battlefeds. The army of Grant
| and the army of Lee are together. They are
| one now in faith, in hope, in fraternity in pur.
pose, and in invincibls patriotism, and, there
| fore, the country is in no danger. In justice
| strong in policy secure, and IN devotion to the
| flag all one."
| Commander-in-Chief GARRISON responded &c
| the toast 1.-The Grand Army" and in few
| words said that the vast army of young men
that marched to the music of the drum in 81
| were the pride and flower of the youth of the
land. Year by year they are joining the great
| majority to stand with those who fell in defense
| of their country. He called attention to the
wonderful record of Columbia Post, and said tina:
takn That as Q criterion. NO history could
| ever discount it or show greater yaior In any
| similar contest.
Secretary of War Alger, speaking to the
| toast 1.-THE Army of the United States !" said
| in mart that he had been in London, and had
been asked what if the United States was
| ked by the great military nations.
al answered." he said, "that in 30 days we
| could put millions of fighting men in the field
| and back them up with wall of IRE in the
person of the veterans" At the same time
he thought that the army should be strength
ened somewhat, SO that day notice could see
| us ready.
| The President also attended great reception
| in his honor by visitors and citizens on Wednes-
day night. About 1000 people grasped his hand
| Their hearts were warmed by his kindly smile
| and pleasant greeting to each one who faced
| him. 1t was sort of good, od-fashioned
hand shaking party, and there were many
| distinguished persons there besides the Presi-
| dent.
| the hall, Immediately In front of the stage. by
| the Reception Comnitses. headed by Nj. Bish'