The record-union., 1899-02-18
His Last Day Spent in a Continual
Round Of Pleasure,
The Different Events Following Each Other
With Dsxildering Rapidly.

lie, Pays . Visit to the State
Legislature and Later Speaks at
a Reception Given by the Com
mercia1 Club.
President McKinley's visit to Boston
was spent in one continual round OF
pleasure and the different events which
were crowded into the few remaining
hours followed each other, with be-
wildering rapidity. ~
The President arose and breakfasted
at 8 O'Clock, and at 10 O'Clock was
en- route to fremont Temple, where he
spoke to the members of the Massa-
chusetts Department of the Grand
Army of the Republic, who were as
sembled in annual convention. The
President and his associates were re-
ceived with cheers by the old soldiers.
President Mckinley was introduced
and made a brief address, recalling the
spirit with which they entered the war
of the rebellion and their loyalty and
faithfulness to the Republic. He re-
ferred to the stirring scenes of the last
year, which, he said, he was glad they
had lived to see, and closed by sug-
costing that the Spanish war veter-
ans should be admitted to member
ship in the Grand Army of the Re
public. The suggestion was received
with cries Of Good" and applause.
In response to calls, Secretaries AL
ger, Long, Gage and Smith spoke
briefly and the party then proceeded to
the State Capitol to visit the Legis-
lature.
The members of the Legislature
gathered with unusual promptness at
the State House, in anticipation of the
visit of President Mckinley. An hour
before the time announced for his ar
rical the corridors We're thronged, and
as soon as the balconies of the House
were opened the crowd pushed in until
every seat was taken. The entire floor
was reserved for members of the two
branches of the General Court, the
Executive Department and the dis
tinguished guests.
The President and his party arrived
promptly-zat the time scheduled. and
after being received by Governor VOL.
colt, under escort of Sergeant-at-
Arms J. B. Adams, the party proceeded
to the House. They passed down the
main aisle amid cheers of all present,
who arose the moment President Nc
Kinley was announced.
President George F. Smith of the
Massachusetts Senate welcomed the
distinguished guest in a brief speech,
and introduced him to the convention.
AS the President arose a wave OF
applause rolled through the hall, and
cheer upon cheer rang out. When it
was possible for him to be heard the
President spoke as follows:
Gentlemen of the General Court:
Although limited for time, I could not
deny myself the honor of accepting the
invitation extended by joint resolution
of your honorable body, which 1 had
the pleasure of receiving from the
hands of your distinguished senior
Senator, Hon. George F. Hoar. I am
not Indifferent to your generous ac-
ton, and it cannot be more strong
than the feeling of pleasure which 1
have in meeting the Senators and Rep
resentatives of the great common
wealth of Massachusetts,.
'I am glad to be in this ancient Cap
itol. Here great public questions have
had free discussion. Here great states
men, whose names live in their coun-
trys history, have received their train
ing and voiced the enlightened opin-
ions of their own countrymen. Here
through the century you have chosen
your fellow citizens to represent you
in the councils of the nation through
that great body, the Senate of the
United States. You have chosen well,
and leaders you have never lacked.
What illustrious men have thus
borne the name of the executive body
of the commonwealth of Massachusetts,
Adams and Pickering and Webster,
Choate and Everetts, Winthrop, Sum-
ner, Wilson and a long list BESIDES il
lustrious in the annals of your State
and the nation, and those later states
men, Hoar and Lodge. honored every
where for their distinguished services
to our common country.
1T was in the Massachusetts House
of Representatives that John II. An
drews made the speech for human lib
erty. which touched the hearts of his
fellow citizens and made him your
great war Governor. Nor do 1 forget
that one time the Speakers chair of
the legislative body was occupied by
your former Governor and Representa-
tive in Congress- the able Secretary of
the Navy, Hon. John D. Long, whose
great department has added luster to
the American navy and glory to the
American name.
II am glad to be on this historic
ground. 1t revives memories sacred in
American life. 1t recalls the struggles
of the founders of Massachusetts, for
liberty and independence Their I'M
selfish sacrifices, their dauntless cour-
age, are the inspiration of all lovers of
freedom everywhere, their lives and
character reach into every American
home and have stimulated the lost as
piration of American manhood.
In the beginning Of our national life
and even before. this was the home and
fountain Of liberty. 1t is the home Of
liberty now, and I am sure that what
those great men of the past secured for
us they would have us transmit not
only to our descendants, but carry to
oppressed peoples whose interests and
welfare by the fortunes of war are com
mitted to us.
I'VE may regard the situation before
us as a burden or as an opportunity,
but whether the one or the other, it Is
here. and conscience and civilization re-
quire us to meet it bravely. Desertion