Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-02-23
M'KINLEY At BOSTON.
The President Makes an Address to
Members Of the G. A. R.
PAYS A VISIT TO The LEGISLATURE.
Mr.. Mckinley Then Goes tn the Algonquin
Cub iI"u.e and Makes u speech to
the Commercial ,lub. Leaving
Afterwmrd for Washington.

President McKinley's visit TO Boston
was spent in one continued round of
pleasure and the different events
which were crowded into the few re-
naming hours followed each other
with bewildering rapiditv The pres
dent arose and breakfasted at nine
o'clock and at ten o'clock was en- route
TO fremont temple, where he spoke to
the members OF the Massachusetts de-
partment OF the g. A. r., who we're
assembled in annual convention, as
follows:
count myself most fortunate to find upon
my visit to the city OF Boston my comrades OF
the G, A. X 10 session In the same city, thus
giving me an opportunity once again to look
into your faces and exchange the friendly
greeting Of comrades with each and every one
Of y0u You fought In q holy cause which I'M
der The providence OF God trumphed. You
not only were good soldiers maintaining In the
battles front the honor and integrity OF the
flag we loved so much, but since the war and
in our relations as citizens to the government
you have ever been loyal and faithful, preserv-
Ing in peace the government which you secured
In war The sad facts about all these reunions
Is that our numbers are diminishing Every
annual roll call discloses one or more
Of our comrades not present. but &C.
counted for They have gone 10 join their
comrades on the other side. now In the ma
jorty. sleeping within the low green tent whose
curtain never turns II has occurred to me as
1t has TO every old soldier Of the war that the
conspicuous commanders who gave orders we
loved 10 obey have oil gone from among us
Grant and Sherman and Sheridan and Logan
and Hancock -and long line beside that are
treasured in the memories Of the soldiers Of the
republic.
am glad to have IN opportunity Of living as
you have had the opportunity OF living In this
last year, when the American people have
again manifested their patriotism. their love
OF country their devotion to American honor,
md want to see all the brave men OF the
Spanish war, north and south, In some great
patriotic organization and know none better
than the Grand Army Of the Republic
Immediately following this carriages
we're taken for the state house, where
the president visited the legislature in
joint session and made an address. He
said In part:
1t was in the Massachusetts house Of repre-
sentatves that John A. Andrew made the
speech for human liberty which touched the
hearts OF his felow-citlzens and made him our
great war governor, Nor do ! forget that at
one time the speakers chair OF this legislative
body was occupied by your former governor
and representative In congress, the able secre-
tary Of the navy, Hon. John d. Long, whose
great department has added luster to the
American navy and glory to the American
name In the beginning OF our national exist
ence, and even before, this was the home and
foundation Of liberty, 1t Is the home OF liberty
now, and | am sure that what those great men
Of the passed secured for us the secretary
would have us transmit not only to our de-
scendants, but carry to oppressed peoples
whose interests and welfare by the fortunes OF
war are committed to- us We may regard the
situation before us us burden or Us an oppor-
tunty; but whether the one or the other 1t Is
here and conscience and civilization require us
to meet 1t bravely. Desertion OF duty Is not
an American haolt IL was nov INC custom OF
the fathers ana Will hot DC the pract'ce OF thelr
sons
The party then proceeded to the AL
oonoujn club house. where the Com
~ a,,,h r.a,ssa,h,od p,os;don.
.ne,e'", o'"' WIS "'.e , -, '''No"'
MchlnleY spoke as loliows'
am glad to meet the members OF the Com
mercial club and the business men OF Boston
here assembled rejoice with them upon the
better conditions OF trade now prevailing
throughout 'u ooshs ne '