Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-08-10
OVATION TO ALGER.
The Michigan People Enthusiastic
cally Welcome the General. 1
The SPEECH MADE BY GOV. PlNCREE.


| Uens ayers mana
Detroit, Mich, Aug. S.-Whatever
may have been the personal feelings OF
the late secretary of war, Gen. Russell
A. Alger, concerning recent incidents
of his official career, all sentiments
save those Of genuine happiness were
very evidently banished yesterday
afternoon and evening by the magnifi-
cent welcome rendered him by the peo-
pie of his own city and state. From
four O'Clock, when the welcoming COM
mittee crowded into his private car
upon its arrival at Toledo, until nine
o'clock. when the general ceased grasp.
ing outstretched hands, the scene was
constant and spontaneous ovation.
Smiles and tears repeatedly struggled
for the mastery over the secretary's
bronzed countenance, as he gazed into
the eager faces of the multitudes who
loudly and convincingly insisted that
"Alger's all right" and no dissonant
voice was heard.
Darkness fell during the speeches
from the reviewing stand in front OF
the city hall, giving an opportunity for
throwing searchlight upon the fea-
lures of Gen. Alger, drawn in crayon
on canvas IS feet square, hung from
the city hall front and surrounded by
patriotic decorations. A great crush
at the indoor reception was the final
feature.
The special train which met Gen.
Alger and party at Toledo consisted OF
six coaches. 1t carried 400 members of
the reception committee. When the
Pennsylvania train arrived the gen.
erals car was besieged by his friends.
Gen. Alger was escorted through the
reception train and greeted by all.
Headed by about 300 cyclists, over 1000
marchers escorted Gen. Alger from the
Michigan Central station by a circuit
GUS course, 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; 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 is only one Alger."
When Gen. Alger appeared upon the
reviewing stand there was roar Of ap-
plause from the dense crowd which
blocked all traffic across the campus
Martius The ex-secretary reviewed
the parade and returned the saluta-
lions Of many marchers, especially
those Of veteran &. A. R. comrades.
Mayor Maybury, after calling for
order, said:
welcome you home, sir, to people who love
Justice and fair play. This welcome Is by your
neighbors. They come from oil parts OF this
glorious state, only for the purpose OF saying,
"G0d bless YOU and welcome home" You
have come home TO walk these streets as before.
You will command and carry with you the same
confidence, affection and esteem that have been
with you all your life. Men will say that with
an upright character so we'll established, there
ic np thot ~ datr . 10
fame Of good neghbor and honest citizen,
Gov. John Pingree, in his speech,
read in behalf Of the state some pointed
references to incidents relating to Al
gers homecoming and fired some
characteristic shots at the newspapers
which, he asserted, were largely re-
sponsible. The governor said that Al
gers best service for his country was
in his efficient management Of the war
department. Said he:
Without your energy, business ability and ex-
perience no one knows how long II might have
lasted You were handicapped by machinery
in your own department which was ancient and
obsolete. In spite Of 1t you contributed more
than any one else to bringing the conflict to an
end with loss of life so small as TO astonlsh
the world. The facts which led you TO submit
your resignation to the president are well
known. The treatment which you have re-
ceved has justly aroused the resentment of
fair-mnded Americans. The people Of Michi-
gan look upon the manner in which your with
drawal from the cabinet was forced as an insult
to the state, They are here to-day to rebuke
the cupidity of politicians high and low. They
are here TO show their contempt for the co ward
ly attacks of o venal press.
Gen. Alger, responding, said:
] can command 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 aps to again
enter tnc -iu nufnu aiio nvc among rne people
of Michigan. Since ! went away two and a
half years ago, as you know, the country has
been through q terrific struggle. The office
Of which | was the head was taxed to the
utmost Of every mans strength who occu-
pied any position in It, gave my best
thought and honest effort and did every
thing | could TO carry out my part OF that
great work. What has been done Is matter
Of record, and am perfectly willing To rest the
case with my countrymen. Every transaction,
every order and everything that was done In
conducting that war is matter Of record, and
the people have right TO have that record
searched. And now, fellow-citizens, come
home without grievance. During that strug-
gle and while that great work was upon me
can truthfully say that had from the presi-
dent all the support that he could give.
We went through that struggle and came
out victorious. We transported across
the sea more than 1850, 900 men one and another
without accident We fought battles in the
Philippines, In Cuba and Porto Rico and we
never lost battle, color, prisoner or gun.
Wherever the American flag was planted BY the
American soldier there 1t stands and there II
shall stand forever.
The closing scene was reception in
the city hall corridors. Mrs. Alger and
q score of other ladies, with several of
the generals relatives, viewed the