The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-08-03
AIGER STILL HAS
FRIENDS AT HOME
The People Of Detroit Accord Him An
Enthusiastic Welcome.
" THERE IS ONLY ONE ALGER ;
Was the Inscription on One of the
Banners i'm the Parade--GoyernOr
Pingrcc ComplimeDted His
Administration.

DETROIT. MICH. August "A mag
nihcent reception was accorded eN-Secre-
tary Of War Alger this afternoon and
evening by the people OF his own city
and state Smiles and tears repeatedly
struggled for mastery over the Secfe-
tarv's bronzed cOuntenance as he gazed
into the eager faces OF the muutudes
who loudly and convncingly insisted
that Ayers all right" and no dissenting
voice was heard. Darkness fell during
tho speeches from the reviewing stand
I'm front OF the city Hall. giving oppor-
tunity for throwing a search light upon
the features of General Alger, drawn IN
crayon on canvass sixteen feet square
hung from the City Han front ana sur
rounded by patriotic decorations.
great crush az the indoor reception was
the final feature.
The special train which met General
Aleor and party at Toledo consisted OF
Six coaches. IL carried four hundred
members Of the reception committee
Headed by about three hundred Oicycllsts
over one thousand people marched ana
escorted General Algor from the Michi-
gan Central station In this city 70 the
reviewing stand. Militia and veterans or
the Civil War. including Fairbanks POST
O A. r.. of which the General Is a NOM
Der. a company of spanish war veterans
and scores OF marchers In secret So
cioty uniforms fled past.
TIE ONLY ONE
Fairbanks Post carried two great ban
ners stretching half way across me
street. which declared.
"rhere IS only one Alger
when General Alger appeared upon the
reviewing stand there was roar or ar
Dfquse from the dense crowd whlcn
blocked an traffic across the Campus
Martius.
Mayor Maybury welcomed General
Alger 90 Detroit On a speech that was
highly eu'ogstic Of the guest OF honor.
Governor Pingree's speech in behalf OF
the state. made some pointed references
10 Incidents leading up TO Aiger's home
coming and fired some characteristic
shots az the newspapers. the Governor
said Ayers hest service FOR his country
was I'm his efficient management Of me
War Department lie said:
pINGREES COMPLIMENTS.
"With0ut your energy business ability
and experience. no one knows how long
the war might have lasted. The facts
which led you 10 submit your resignation
10 the President are we'll known. The
treatment You have received has Justly
men. The people Of Michigan look upon
the manner IN which your withdrawal
from the Cabinet was forced as an IN
suit 20 the state Tne~ are here to-day
20 rebuke the cupiditv politicians hieh
and low They are here 20 show Their
contempt for the C0Wardly attacks ~
venal press.
"In spite Of the obsolete customs and
systems Of your department you contrib
utei more than anyone TO bring the war
with Spain to "a quick end. You did SO
although hindered by the interference Of
others unfit TO handle business or mill
tary affairs.
"The people OF Michigan Will remember
the ndisn5y to which the state has been
subjected In time they will come %
know who IS responsible for H. think
they already see that politics makes cow
ards OF some men IN both high and low
positions.
They VIII ln time despise the official,
no matter how exalted his position, Who
gave himself. truckled 90 the newspapers
or who considered money or influence in
any form They will turn away from
every official representative OF Michigan
who has stood by without protest and
permitted a citizen of the State 20 be as
grossly abused and misrepresented as
you have been.
NEWSPAPERS SCORED.
81 have come 20 believe that the institu-
ton most dangerous 20 our form of gov
eminent Us the newspaper. Its boosted
liberty is rather a license. II has no
scruple and no conscience. There are,
of course, exceptions. hut [ speak Of the
press as a whole. Because you, General
Alger would not bow to them and con-
duct the War Department in the inter-
ests Of the combines. the army contrac-
tors and the commercial interests which
control the newspapers. You became
marked man. ] know 1 voice the senti-
ment of the people of Michigan when /
say TO you that we have every faith that
history will rebuke the newspapers and
politicians of highest and lowest sta
ton who have used such vile methods 20
accomplish their purposes"
ALGER GRATEFUL.
General Aleer responding said:
81 can command no language 10 ex-
press my gratitude 10 you for this royal
welcome 10 my home. I am glad from
the bottom of my heart 10 be released
from official care and 10 again enter the
old home and live among the people Of
Michigan.
Since 1 went away two and a half
years ago. as YOU know, the country
has been through a terrific struggle. The
office Of which ! was the head, was
taxed 10 the utmost of every mans
strength who occupied any position I'm
TO- ! gave my best thought and honest
effort and did everything ] could 10 carry
out my part Of that great work What
has been done Is a matter Of record and
7 am perfectly willing 10 rest the case
with my cOuntrymen. Every transac-
ton. every order and everything that
was done in conducting that war is
matter Of record and the people have a
right 10 have that record searched.
And now. my fellow citizens. ! come
home without a grievance. During that
struggle and while that great work was
upon me / can truthfuly say that ] had
from the President all the support he
could give me"
The closing scene was a reception IN
the City Hall corridor Thousands Of
people grasped General Ayers hand.
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