The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1899-10-20

st. Paul, Oct 14.-Right royalty did
the Twin Cities welcome back their
own, for the Thirteenth Minnesota Is
practically a Twin City regiment, four
companies coming from st. Paul, five
from Minneapolis and one each from
saltwater, st. Cloud and Red Wing.
Notwithstanding the early hour OF
their arrival in st. Paul, 5 o'clock,
long before that hour the union depot
was crowded with thousands of people
eager TO get first sight of the return
ing soldiers. When the boys alighted'
from the trains they We're immediate
~ taken possession of by overjoyed
relatives. After fond mothers, sweet
hearts and sisters had had ample OPP
portunity to greet their loved ones, the
regiment was escorted to the auditOri-
um where the boys did full justice to
Sumptuous breakfast which had been
prepared for them by the ladies of the
city.
The 10y of the citizens at the safe re-
turn of the soldiers and their pride in
the Nalorous achievements of the regi-
nent on the field of battle were fitting
ly expressed in short speeches by May.
or kiefer, Gov. Lind and the president
of the Commercial club.
After breakfast the regiment was
formed in open order in front of the
Auditorium and for more than an hour
the boys We're kept busy responding to
the greetings of relatives and friends.
The regiment then returned to the
depot and took the train for Minne-
apolis.
Minneapolis, gaily decked in flags
and burning, gave the boys a welcome
that must have more than repaid them
for the hardships they endured while
upholding the honor of their flag in a
foreign country.
Escorted by brilliant military and
civic pageant. led on by the nations
chief executive. with the cheers of the
enthusiastic multitude playing a glad
accompaniment to the booming Of
cannon and the shrek of whistles, the
regiment proceeded to the exposition
building. where the formal greetings
Of uation, state and city were extend
ed. Mayor Gray. in q short address,,
extended the welcome of the city Of
Minneapolis. He was followed by Gov.
Lind. who paid a glowing compliment
to the volunteer army and expressed
the pride Of the state in the brilliant
record made by the Thirteenth.
When President Mckinley stepped
forward he was greeted with cheers
for several minutes, and throughout
the delivery of his address the ap-
plause was frequent. The president
said:
II lave come from the capital Of the
nation that I might give the nations
welcome to a regiment of the nations
defenders. 1 have come to speak the
voice of love and gratitude which
comes from every American heart to-
day that loves the flag. l have come
to bid you welcome because you did
your duty. and that is the highest
tribute that can be paid to any soldier
anywhere. l come to bid you welcome
and give you the honor of the nation
because you sustained the flag of the
nation. because you refused to stack
arms. refused to sound the retreat.
And You have come back having q high
place in the hearts and affections Of
the American people and gratitude
that will continue for all time. You'll
have also by Your services adf ed much 1
to the cause of humanity. added muchj
to the advancement of the civilization
which has SO characterized the century
just now fading away. This century,
herolds tie most wonderful progress OF. |
the world known to all history"
Attorney General Griggs and Secre
tary Of the Navy Long also made shorf{
addresses.
At the conclusion of the exercised
the returned volunteers We're served
With an elaborate dinner from the ex
position building.