The San Francisco call., 1899-08-03
ALGER WELCOMED
BY THOUSANDS
Ovation From Citizens
of Detroit.
PRAISE FROM THE PLATFORM
GOVERNOR PINaREE CRITICIzEs
NEWSPAPERS.
Reception in the City Hall Corridors
at Which Mrs. Alger Was
Present-A Night Of
Handshaking.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

I DETROIT, Aug. 2.-Whatever may
have been said of the late Secretary or
War. General Russell A. Alger, con-
cerning the recent incidents OF his or
fetal career, all sentiments save those
of genuine happiness were very evident
ly banished this afternoon and even
ing by the magnificent welcome ten
dered him by the people of his own city
and State From o'clock, when the
welcoming committee crowded into his
private car upon its arrival at Ioleoo,
until o'clock, when the general ceased
grasping outstretched hands, the scene
was a constant and spontaneous ova-
ton. Smiles and tears repeatedly
struggled for the mastery over the
Secretary's bronZed countenance as he
gazed into the eager faces of the null
titudes who loudly and convincingly
insisted that "Alger's all right, and
no dissenting voice was heard. DARK
ness fell during the speeches from the
reviewing stand in front OF the city
Hall, giving opportunity TOT tnroWlng
a searchlight upon the features OF
General Alger drawn in crayon on a
canvas fifteen feet square hung from
the City Hall and surrounded by pa
triotic decorations. A great crush at
the indoor reception was the final TEA
ture.
The special train which met General
Alger and party at Toledo consisted of
six coaches. 1t carried 400 members of
the reception committee. General AL
ger was escorted through the recep-
ton train and greeted by all. About
800 bicyclists and over 100 marchers
escorted General Alger from the Mich
igan Central station by circu1tous
course leading past the generals house
to the reviewing stand. Military and
veterans of the Civil War, including
Fairbanks Post, G. A. r., of which the
general is a member, a company OF
Spanish war veterans and scores of
marchers in secret society uniforms
filed past Fairbanks Post carried two
great banners, stretching half way
across the street, which declared
There's Only One Alger!"
When General AIger appeared upon
the reviewing stand there was roar
of applause from the dense crowd
which blocked all traffic across the
Campus Martius. The ex-Secretary re-
viewed the parade and returned the
salutations of many marchers,
especially those Of veteran G. A. r.
comrades.
Mayor Maybury. after calling for
order, said
"GeneraI 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 which
you have passed. 1t will go forth to the
world, sir, that where you are best
known. there you are best beloved and
hest appreciated 1t will go forth to
the world, sir, due notice that the
standard of high character built up by
patience and perseverance, honesty and
uprightness cannot be thrown down py
SANDER"
Governor John Pingree in his speech
u ~, nf tha State. made some
pointed references to the incidents re-
lating to Ayers home coming, and
fired some characteristic shots at the
newspapers, which, he asserted were
largely responsible. The Governor said
that Alger's best service for his country
was in his efficient management OF the
War Department.
General Alger, responding, said:
"I can command no language to ex-
press my gratitude to you for TINS 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 people
of Michigan.
"Since I went away. two and half
years ago, as you know,a the country
has been through terrible struggle:
The office Of which / was at the head
was taxed to the utmost of every mans
strength who occupied any position In
il. I gave my best thought and honest
effort and did everything 1 could to
carry out my part of that great work.
What has been done is a matter of rec
ord. and I am perfectly willing to rest
the case with my countrymen."
The closing scene was reception in
the CITY Hall corridors. Mrs. Alger
and scores of other ladies, with several
of the generals relatives, viewed the
scene from a platform built into the
main stairway and thousands pushed
past and grasped General Alger's hand.