The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-09-06


many Of our comrades who two years
ago had marched proudly with you
through the city of Buffalo, are no long
er in the ranks.
The circle is narrowing. AS years roll
on one after another is not present at
our reunions, but accounted for. They
have gone to Join the great majority of
our comrades who sleep tonight beneath
the low green tent whose curtains never
outward sway.
But with It all, my comrades, l could
not but inquire, as l witnessed the vast
procession of old veterans and heard
the plaudits of the people, could not
but ask the question: what has en-
deared this vast army to the American
peoples? What has tnshrined you in their
hearts? What has given you a perman-
ent, unperishable place in history?"
Tho answer comes that you saved the
nation. 1t was because you did some.
thing; aye, you sacrificed something. You
were willing TO give up your lives for
civilization and liberty, not for the civ
ilization and liberty of an hour, but OF
ages. That has given you the place in
the hearts Of the American people.
Great and good deeds never die, and
the Grand Army of the Republic is to be
congratulated tonight that the Union IL
saved and the peace it secured at APP
pottomatox court house more than u
third of a century ago, is stronger, better
and dcarer to the American people to-
day than ever before in all our history.
We are once more and forever one peo-
pie, one in faith, one in purpose, willing
to sacrifice our lives for the honor of
our country and the glory of our flag.
The blue and the gray march under one
flag-weve got but one flag now-the
same that our grandfathers lifted up, the
same our fathers bore. and that flag
which you kept stainless and made tri-
umphant will be kept stainless and made
triumphant for evermore.
| may be pardoned for saying in this
presence that this has been one of the
happiest days of my life, as / stood look
ing in the faces of my comrades. They
are getting a little too old for war, but
they are all right.
That during last year and this sum
mer, we were able to convene $50, 600 of
the best young men in the United States
was due to the example of your patriot
ism and the inspiration of your examples.
General Sickles was next introduced
and made a brief address, expressing
his admiration for the nations chief
executive.
At Odd Fellows Hall.
A few minutes later the presidential
party, with Admiral Sampson and his
staff, left the Academy of Music and
proceeded to the Odd Fellows hall,
where President Mckinley was the
guest of honor at banquet rendered
by George G. Meade post, the Lafay-
ette post, of New York, and the Kings
ley post, of Boston.
The distinguished visitors were driven
through the avenue of fame" which
for the first time they saw illuminated,
Immense thrOngs surged through the
avenue and the cheering %Has deafen-
ing. When the chief executive entered
the banquetting hall all present arose
and cheered their distinguished COM
rade. When the president was intro
duced by the toastmaster to the diners
he arose and said:
Il do not intend to make a speech at
this time. 1 merely want to say that
1t is a great pleasure to me to be 4
guest of the three greatest posts of the
Grand Army, Kingsley, Meade and La
fayette. 1t has given me genuine pleas
ure to greet so many of my old COM
| rades in this city of historic memory
and patriotic devotion, for l assure you
that all the goodness and greatness OF
Philadelphia is not in the past. l could
not help but reflect as l passed through
| the avenue of Fame" today what a
volume of history its portraits told
The history of the achievements of the
army as we'll as the navy made well
and clear by familiar faces; familiar
in that great struggle. Our great COM
mander was there-Ulysses S. Grant
Sherman, Sheridan, Meade, Hancock
and Farragut, and while old oceans
| breast bears a white sail they will be
| remembered. And not only in that gal
| lery of heroes is found the great
| captain, but the private soldiers OF
| the army. He who has now insignia
| Of rank but the blue blouse. The mel
behind the guns of the navy all tel
story of herOism, greatness and match
less achievement in which we al
| glory. l have about me the army anC
navy which l command applause
And every one who wants to speak t
you tonight shall speak. UauShte
and applause0 The secretary of war i
here, the secretary of agriculture il
| here and the president of Cornell uni
| yersty who was the president OF th
| Philippine commission recently bacl
| from Mania Is mere. ana RuIlllTd
Sampson is here and now gentlemen o
the three great posts you have you
| choice"
| The POSTMASTER took the president
| cue, and called on the gentlemen
named by him. Secretary Root AM
Professor Schurmann made brief ad
dresses in which they referred to tn
war in the Philippines. Both of then
! took the stand that the war should b
| carried on vigorously until peace al
over the island is had.
The presidential party retired iron
the hall and drove directly to the Penn
| sylvania railroad station where tn
| PARTY boarded a special train and lef
| for Washington at 1870 o'clock. TIL
| same persons that accompanied tn
president here returned with him to tn
| capital.
The president, through Secrctar.
| Porter, expressed himself as highl,
| pleased with his visit to this city.