Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1899-09-07
M'kINLEY TO VETERANS.
President Addresses q. A. IL. Gait.
erinv in PhilatlelDhja.

/
ering in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia, Sept. 6.--Enthusiasm
was rampant last night. Whercve,
President Mckinley appeared he re.
| ceived a tremendous ovation, especially
| at the Academy of Music, where tho
Grand Army was officially welcomed tc
| the city and state.
Admiral Sampson and his staff were
! among the first to arrive. The nava,
| hero was vociferously cheered, anC
when later in the evening he was in.
| troduced by General Wagner, chair.
man of the meeting. the ovation was
repeated.
Addresses of welcome to the G.. a. II
were made by Governor Stone and
Mayor Ashbridgc. to which w. III. Lor.
rens. general advocate of the G. A. r.
| responded. The president was intro.
| duced as "Comrade Mckinley" He
said:
lit has given me pleasure to associ.
ate with YOU today have been deep.
~ touched by many of the scenes
which all of US have witnessed. With
| he joyous side of the reunion of old
common cause and for a common co,ln.
try. there was the other sad side. that
so many of our comrades who two
years ago had marched proudly with
you through the city of Buffalo are
no longer in the ranks.
he circle is narrowing. AS the
| years roll on one aftcl Anothcr is not
present at our reunion, llt accounted
for They have gone to loin the great
majority of our comrades who sleep
tonight beneath the low green tent
whose curtains never outward sway.
But with it all, my comrades, 1
could not but inquire, as witnessed
the vast procession of old veterans and
heard the paudits of the people, l
could not but ask the question: What
has endeared this vast army to the
american people? What has en-
f, shr'ned you i'm their hearts? What
has given YOU il permanent, impersh-
able place i'm history?'
"lhc answer comes that YOU saved
the nation. 1t was because you did
| something; aye you sacrificed some
thing. You We're willing to give up
your lives for civilization and liberty,
not for the civilization and liberty of
am hour, but of ages. That has given
YOU a place in the hearts of the
American people.
"treatand good deeds never die and
he Grand Army OF the Republic is to
be congratulated tonight that the
union it saved and the peace it secured
at AppomattoN court house more than
third OF a century ago is stronger,
better and dearer to the american peo-
pie today than ever before in all our
history. We are once more and for
ever one people-one in faith, one in
purpose, willing to sacrifice our lives
for the honor of our country and the
glory of our flag.
The blue and the gray march UNI
now-the same that our grandfathers
and that flag which you kept stainless
and made triumphant forever.
II may be pardoned for saying in
this presence that this has been one of
the happiest days OF my life, looking in
the faces of my comrades. They are
getting a little too old for war, but
they are all right.
THAT. during last year and this
summer. VIC We're able to convene 250.-
900 of the best young men in the
G,lited States was due To the example
Of your patriotism and the inspiration
nf your example"
Philadelphia, Sept. 5.-'rhis was the
big day of the Grand Army encamp-
ment The city was alive early. The
presence of President Mckinley add
ed 10 the interest. His drive over the
route OF the parade aroused much en-
thnsiasm among the crowd on the
streets. Admiral Sampson and the
captains of his fleet called on the pres
ident early and they accompanied him
IN trip over the route of the parade.
The great wave of cheering which
broke out when the party appeared
never ceased al amy point along the
route till the return to the reviewing
stand shortly after 10 o'clock. The
parade moved over the principal
streets, covering Il distance OF five
miles.
The Rockford, ILL.,. post. the oldest
in the Grand Army, headed the pa
ratie. General George III. Thomas
headquarters flag WAS carried by the
post named for him al the head of the
Illinois division. Thirty-1ive thousand
men were in line. The Avenue of
Fame, With white columns. festoons
# bunting and laurel, was a favorte
view point.
General Louis Wagner, chairman of
The reception committee. sent the fol-
owing telegram TO Mrs. Mckinley:
''Philadelphin. with 1.a5o.oO0 citizens
and 100000 strangers within her gates.
regrets exceedingly Mrs. McKinley's
absence from this very pleasant gath
ring. and joins i'm greetings of regard
and Affection