The Wilmington daily Republican., 1899-08-03
ALCERS WELCOMEH HOME
Detroit's Enthusiastic Reception to
a- the Ex-Secretary.
PINGREE AND THE NEWSPAPERS.

MichIgan's Governor Declares That
People In High Places Yielded to the
Assaults of a Corporation owned
Press-Revenge at the Ballot Box.
Detroit, Aug. S-Whatever may have
been the personal feelings of the late
secretary of war, General Russell A.
Alger, concerning recent incidents OF
his official career, all sentiments save
those Of genuine happiness were very
evidently banished yesterday after
noon and evening by the magnificent
welcome rendered him by the people
Of his own city and state. From 4
o'clock. when the welcoming commit
tee crowded into his private car upon
its arrival at Toledo. until 9 o'clock,
when the general seized grasping out
stretched hands, the scene was con-
stant and spontaneous ovation. Smiles
and tears repeatedly struggled for the
mastery over the secretary's brOnzed
countenance, as he gazed into the
eager faces of the multitudes who
loudly and convincingly insisted that
AiSCl Gil li6htp anu ho uiooohahh
voice was heard. Darkness fell dur
ing the speeches from the reviewing
stand in front Of the city hall, giving
opportunity for throwing searchlight
upon the features of General Alger.
drawn in crayon on a canvas 16 feet
square hung from the city hall front
and surrounded by patriotic decora-
tiOns. A great crush at the indoor re-
ception was the final feature.
The special train which met General
Alger and party at Toledo consisted
of eight coaches. 1t carried 400 men,
bers Of the reception committee. Ban
ners stretched along the sides of tho
cars stated that Michigan welcomes
her honored son, General Alger." When
the Pennsylvania train arrived tho
generals private car was besieged by
his old friends. On the return trip
General Alger was escorted through
the train and greeted by all.
Headed by about 800 bicyclists, over
1000 marchers escorted General Alger
from the Michigan Central station by
clrcuitous route leading past the
generals home to the reviewing stand
Militia and veterans of the civil war,
including Fairbanks Post, G. A. r., OF
which the general is member, a
company Of Spanish war veterans and
scores of members in secret society
uniform, filed past. Fairbanks Post
carried two great banners, stretching
half across the street, which declared
There Is only one Alger."
When General Alger appeared upon
the reviewing stand there was roar
of appause from the dense crowd
which blocked all traffic across the
Campus Maritus. The ex-secretary re-
viewed the parade and returned the
salutations of many marchers, especi-
ally those of veteran Grand Army COM
rades.
Mayor Maybury. in calling the meet
ing to order, said:
General Alger, l should despair, sir,
of being able to voice the heartiness
of this welcome were it not already |
shown in this vast concourse through |
whom you have passed. 1t will go
forth to the world, sir, that where you |
are best known there you are best be-
loved and best appreciated. l welcome /
you home, sir. to people who love |
justice and fair play. This welcome is |
by your neighbors. They come from
all parts Of this glorious state Men |
Will say that with an upright char |
acter. so well established, there is no |
power on earth that can detract from |
the fame of good nelghbor and citi-
zen and honest man"
Governor Pingree, in his speech |
read in behalf of the state, made some
pointed reference to Incidents leading
to Alger's home coming, and fred
some characteristic shots at the news
papers. which, he assorted, were large
ly responsible. The governor said that
Algers best service for his country
was in his efficient management Of the
war department. Said he:
without your energy, business
ability and experience. no one knows
how long 1t might have lasted. You
were handicapped by machinery In
your department which was ancient
and obsolete. In spite of 1t you con-
tributed more than any one else to
bring the conflict to an end with loss
Of life so small as to astonish the
world The people of Michigan look
upon the manner in which your with
drawal from the cabinet was forced
as an insult to the state. They are
here today to rebuke the cupidity of
politicians, high and low. They are
here to show their contempt for the
Cowardly attacks of venal press.
The people Of Michigan will remember
the indignity to which the state has
been subjected In time they will come
to know who is responsible for it.
makes towards of some men, in both
high and low position. They will in
time despise the official, no matter how
exalted his station. who to save him
self bows and truckles to newspapers
or money or influence, or power In any
form. They will turn away every Of
fetal representative of Michigan at
Washington who has stood by with
out protest and permitted citizen of
the state to be as grossly abused and
misrepresented as you have been. The
sense of justice and fair play of our
people will not support such methods
They will be apparent when the peo-
pie of our state express themselves at
tHt poilS'
~ have come to believe that the in
stitution most dangerous to our form
of government is the newspaper. Its
boasted liberty is rather license. 1t
has no scruple and no conscience
There are, Of course, exceptions but |
speak Of the press as whole. Because
you. General Alger, would not bow to
them and conduct the war department
in the interests Of the combines, tho
army contractors and the commercial
interests which control the newspa-
pers you became marked man"
General Alger, responding, said in
part:
81 can command no language to ex-
press my gratitude to you for this
royal welcome to my home. I am glad
from the bottom Of my heart to be re-
leased from official care and to again
enter the old home and live among the
people Of Michigan.
Since | went away. two and a half ;
|