Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1898-12-29
AT AUGUSTA, GA.

1t is indeed an QOnOr TO me- anu Oue ludt
shall never be forgotten, to stand In the
place associated with names of washington
and Lafayette and Clay and Webster. 1t Is
also pleasure to me to be in the city where
that gallant cavalry officer, Gen. Joe Wheel-
err was born 1t is a pleasure for me to
meet in this welcome those veterans of the
gray, those Confederate soldiers, and to feel
that in common with the veterans OF the
blue and all their fellow citizens they are In
heart touch with the aims and purposes OF
this great republic.
What a wonderful country we have ana
with what pride the contemplation OF its
history fills us all! When Washington was
here we had a little over 5000, 600 OF people;
we have 75,O00,O00 to-day. We have added
vastly to our territory. We are to-day the
largest manufacturing and largest agricul-
tural nation of the world. Our commerce
floats on every sea, and only the day before
yesterday l saw that thousand tons OF
ship plates had been landed in Glasgow,
Scotland and, what is even more slgnlh-
cant, it was carried upon ship bearing the
American flag.
My fellow citizens, I congratulate you
upon the prosperity of the country. con-
graduate you upon the progress 1t has made
in the last third of century. But con-
graduate you even more because as people
we are now united and more devoted to
national purposes and more imbued with
the true national spirit than we have been
since the formation of the Federal Union.
There are no divisions now. We stood uni
ted in front of foreign foe. We Will stand
united until every triumph of that war has
been realized
This, my fellow citizens, is a fitting con-
clusion of most remarkable trip l have
made with my associates in the South. Moth
ing could be more appropriate. Only as one
star differs from another does this recep-
ton differ from those accorded to us at ev-
cry step. All have been glorious tribute
to the patriotism of the people and their
love Of country, and l leave this inspiring
picture, 1 leave this wonderful manifesto
ton of gracious hospitality, and wonderful
demonstration Of devotedness to the Union
and the flag with memories that l will car
ry with me so long as life lasts.
AT MONTGOMERY. ALA.
To the General Assembly and Citizens:
The warm-hearted welcome which has been
given to me by the citizens of Alabama has
deeply touched me, and in return for 1t l
cannot find language to express my graft
tude and appreciation. 70 be welcomed
here in the city of Montgomery, the first
capital of the Confederate States, warmly
and enthusiastically welcomed as the Presi-
dent of the common country, has filled and
thrilled me with emotion. Once the capital
of the Confederacy, now the capital of
great and glorious State, one Of the in
destructible States Of an indestructible
Union.
The Governor says he has nothing to take
back. We have nothing to take back for
having kept you in the Union; we are glad
you did not go out, and you are glad you
stayed in.
Alabama, like all the States Of the Union,
North and South, has been loyal to the flag
and steadfastly devoted to the American
nation and to American honor. There never
has been in the history Of the United States
such demonstration OF patriotism from
one end of this country to the other as in
the year just passing, and never has Amer
lean vatOr been more brilliantly illustrated
in the battle line ON shore and on the battle
ship at sea than by the soldiers and sailors
of the United States. Everybody is talking
of Hobson, and justly SO. but | want to
thank Mother Hobson in this presence. Ev-
erybody Is talking about Gen. Wheeler, one
of the bravest of the brave, but l want
to speak of that sweet little daughter that
followed him to Santiago and ministered to
the sick at Montauk. have spoken in many
places and at many times of the heroism
of the American army and the American
navy, but in our recent conflict the whole
people were patriots. Two hundred thou
sand men were called for, and a million
rushed to get a place in the ranks. And
millions stood ready If need be.
I like the feeling of the American people
that we ought not to have Large standing
army; but it has been demonstrated in the
last few months that we need q standing
army large enough to do all the work re-
quired while we are at peace, and only rely
on the great body of the people in an emer-
gency to help us fight our battles. We love
peace. we are NOT Il military udIlOu, Out
whenever the time of peril comes the bull
wark of this people rests In the patriotism
of It's citizens, and this nation will be safe
for all time because 75,0C0,00O people love it,
and will give up their lives to sustain and
uphold it.
l thank you, my fellow citizens, for this
generous warmth and wealth of welcome
which you have given me to-day, and shall
go back to my duties at our great capital
feeling that we have a united country that
acknowledges allegiance to but one author
ity, and will march forever unitedly under
one flag, the glorious old stars and stripes.