Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-03
ER'S HOMECOMING
Given q Royal Wslooms BY the People Of
Detroit.
Gov. Pingree Talks of 1sThe Cowardly
Attacks of q Venal Press
Ayers Response.

A dispatch from Detroit. Mich, last night
says: Whatever may have been the per-
sonal feelings of the late Secretary of War,
Gen Russell A. Alger. concerning recent
incidents of his official career. all senti-
ments, save those of genuine happiness.
were banished this afternoon and evening
by the magnificent welcome rendered him
by the people Of his own city and state.
From clock, when the welcoming COM
mittee crowded into his private car upon it's
arrival at Toledo, until O'Clock. when the
general ceased grasping outstretched hands.
the scene was contant and spontaneous
ovation. Smiles and tears repeatedly strug-
gled for the mastery over the Secretary s
bronzed countenance he gazed into the
eager faces of the multitudes who Loudly
and convincingly insisted that "Alger's all
right and no dissenting voice was heard.
The special train which met General AL
ger and party at Toledo consisted of eight
coaches. 1t carried forty members of the
reception committee. Banners stretched
Michigan Welcomes Her Honored Son,
General Alger." When the train arrived
the generals private car was besieged by
his old friends On the return trip General
Alger escorted through the train and
greeted by all.
Only One AIxer.
Headed by about 800 bicyclists, over 1000
marchers escorted General Alger from the
Michigan Central station by a circuitous
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 marchers in secret society uni
form filed past. Fairbanks Post carried
two great banners, stretching half across
the street, which declared There is Only
One Alger."
reviewing stand there was a roar of ap-
plause from the dense crowd, which lock
ed all traffic across the Campus Martius.
The ex-Secretary reviewed the parade and
returned the salutations of many marchers,
especially those of Grand Army of the Re
public comrades.
Mayor May bury, after calling order, said
in part: General Alger, l should despair,
sir, of being able to voice the heartiness of
this welcome We're 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 beloved and best appreciated. 1t will
go forth to the world, sir, as due notice
that the standard of high character, built
up by patience and perseverance, honesty
and uprightness, cannot be thrown down
by SANDER
Shots at the Newspapers.
Gov. Pingree made some pointed refer
ences to incidents leading to Gen. Ayers
homecoming, and fired some characteristic
shots at the newspapers, which, he as
serted, were largely responsible. The gov
ernor said that Ayers 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 it
might have lasted. You were handicapped
by machinery in your department which
was ancient and obsolete. In spite of it
you contributed more than any one else to
bring the conflict to end with a loss of
life so small as to aStoniSh the world.
The facts which led you to submit your
resignation to the President are well known.
The treatment which you have received has
justly aroused the resentment Of fair
minded Americans. 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 there today
to rebuke the cupdity of politicians high
and low. They are here to show their con-
tempt for the cowardly attacks OF venal
press.
"A mean-spirited and INSCRIPTIONS press
mas carried on Il campaign of deliberate
misrepresentation and lies concerning your
business management of the War DEPART
ment- The people of Michigan know tina:
these attacks are without Justification. In
spite OF the obsolete customs and system of
your department, you contributed more
IMAM any one to bring the war with Spain
to d quick end.
nv pccpic VI hlcnlS9n VIII remember
the lndlgnity to which the state has bee,
subjected In time they will come to know
VINO Is responsible for it. | think they al
ready see that politics makes coward; of
some men, in both high and low position
lhey VIII in time despise the official. no
matter how exalted his station who To saya
himself bows and truckies to newsnaners
or money, or influence, or power in any
form. - any
! They will turn away from every oticiaI
representative of Michigan at washington
who has stood by without protest and ner-
nltted a cltlzen OF the state to be as grossly
abused and m!SrepreSented as Won have
been. They will not forget the cowardIv
conduct of some of the newspapers and
public men of the state who have by their,
silence practically Joined in the attacks upon
you. The sense of justice and fair play of
cur people will not support such methods
Ihey Will be apparent when the people of
our state express themselves al the polls -
l. Gen. Ayers Response.
Gen. Alger, responding. said: L can COM
mand no language to express my gratitude
to you for this royal welcome to my home
[ am glad from the bottom of my heart to
be released from official care and to again
enter the old home and live among the peo
pie of Michigan.
Since went away, two and half years
ago as you know, the country has been
through a terrific struggle. The office of
which was the head was taxed to the ut
most of every mans strength who occupied
any position in it. l gave my best thought
and honest effort. and did everything L
could to carry out my part Of that great
work. What has been done is a matter of
record, and l am perfectly willing to rest
the case with my countrymen. Every trans
action, every order and everything that
was done in conducting that war is a mat
ter of. record, and the people have right
to have that record searched.
And now, my felow-citizans, / come
hcme without a grievance. During that
struggle and while that great work was
| upon me 1 can truthfully say that 1 had
from the President all the support that he
could give. We went through that struggle
and came out victorious. We transported
across the seas more than 10000 men one
way and the other without an accident.