Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1897-08-28
G. A. r. VETERANS.

Vast Throng Attends the Opening OF
the Encampment - President Mckinney
Arrives and ls Given an Ovation.
Buffalo, Aug. 24.-From dawn to
darkness and from twilight to mid
light last 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
encampment, and this is true also of
the eX-Prisoucrs of War association,
the naval veterans and the women's
auxiliary bodies. Just as the songs of
victory tloated up from the triumphant
hosts of Sherman, as they marched to
the sea, so from the old soldiers gath
cred in Buffalo wells up mighty min
Cling of thank kfulness, of happiness and
joy.
From early morning until late at
night Main street held a continuous
procession of posts. Scores of them
brought bands, and few indeed had no
music The features of the day were
the arrival of President Mckinley, ac-
companied by Secretary Alger and
Gov. 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. Dur
ing the day there were more than sc
corps, brigade, regimental and COM
pany reunions. The naval veterans,
| eX-prisoners of war, ladies of the G. A.
II. and the association of nurses held
their conventions and there were many
receptions given by and to the ladies
of the auxiliary associations.
A trip on the lake participated in by
about 1000 ladies, was one of the pleas
antest of the many entertainments.
Shortly after o'clock Columbus post
arrived at the hotel and acted as escort
to the president to the Elliott building,
where the post entertained the presi-
dent at a banquet. When Mayor Jewett
had finished his address President Me-
Kinley was introduced 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:
come with no set form of speech; l 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 campres in well ut
campfres in peace.
| To me, / see by the programme has been as
signed the toast "The country and its defend-
erS." My fellow citizens. blessed is that coun-
try whose defenders are patriots Blessed is
that country whose soldiers fight for 1t and are
willing TO give the best they have-their own
| lves-to preserve 1t because they love it. Such
| an army the United States has already COM
| manded in every crisis OF her history. From
| the war of the Revolution to the late civil war
tlar all hat In I'm 10 hnCn
they loved it and believed in what it repre-
| sented. That was the stun of which the volun-
| teer army OF 81 made.
| What defenders, my countrymen, have we
| now? We have the remnant of this old, mag
| nthcent matchess 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 battletelds. 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 an invincible patriotism. and
| therefore the country is in danger. In
justice strong, in pc,cy secure and in devotion
to the flag all My fellow countrymen. l
thank you and bid you good night
AT the request of the citizens of Buff
falo. President Mckinley has consented
to ride at the head of the line in the
G. A. r. parade to-day as far as the re-
: viewing stand, where he will take the
seat previously assigned to him and
/ review the veterans as they pass by.
The president will occupy carriage
escorted by Commander Clarkson and
i staff.
. Mr.. Sexton, of Chicago, has with
drawn as candidate for commander
in-chief There are now three eastern
> and one western candidate for the
place. OF Cincinnati's success in her
race for the next encampment there
u appears to be little doubt, although
Denver loomed up Tuesday as an as
pirant for that honor
At Goblin headquarters Pennsylva
i mia, New JERSEY and Delaware are
e claimed for the Pennsylvania man and
i his friends say he will be in the fight
p to the end
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