Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1899-08-10
WELCOMED HOME.
Gen. and Mrs. AIger Receive n Glorious
Welcome to Their Home.

Welcome To Their Home.
The home coming of Gen. and Mrs.
r. A. Aiger was buoyant beneath the
unqualified spontaneity of the greet
ing given the honored man and woman
as they left the cars at the Michigan
Central station on the afternoon of
Aug. 2. They were literally "at home"
and from the festoons of bunting in
the station, the "Welcome Home" in
purple and white flowers, the men,
women and children that lined the
platform and corridors of the great
building and along the line of march,
there was generated an unmistalable
spirit of affectionate regard and loyal
enthusiasm such as must have found
it's way to the hearts of the distin-
puished guests. In front of the city
hall, which was prettily decorated and
illuminated, large reviewing stand
had been erected where the welcoming
addresses by Mayor Maybury in be-
half of the city and Gov. Pingree in
behalf of the state were made.
The mayor confined himself to the
homecoming of the general and the
pleasure it gave him to be able to as
sure Mr.. Alger that he was received
at his home with the same confidence,
affection and esteem that has been
with him all the years of his life.
Gov. Pingree in his speech took oc-
casion to censure the President for his
treatment of the general and said that
the people of Michigan regarded the
affair as a state insult. Senator Nc
MILAN came in for his share of criti-
cism at the hands of the governor.
The 10000 listeners endorsed the gov
ernor's sentiments by hearty applause
at intervals during his speech.
Mr.. Alger responded to the welcoming
speeches In few words, but his utter
ances expressed emotions of gratitude
for his royal welcome home Gen.
| Ayers speech in full was as follows:
"Mr. Mayor and Governor, and my
| fellowcitizens-I have no words, l can
command no language to express the
emotions of my heart and my gratitude
to you for this royal welcome to my
home. am glad from the bottom of
care " and to % again ga enter the old home
and live among the people of Michigan.
Since | went away, two and one-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 utmost of every mans
strength who occupied any position in
it. | 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 transaction, every order, and
everything that was done in conduct
ing that war is matter of record, and
the people have right to have that
record searched. And now, my fellow
citizens, come home without grev-
ance. During that struggle and while
that great work was upon me / can
truthfully say that / had from the
President all the support that he could
give. We went through that struggle
and came out victorious We trans
ported across the seas more tn an 1907
600 men, one way and the other, with
out an accident. We fought battles in
Manila, in the Philippines, in Cuba and
Porto Rico, and we never lost battle,
a color, prisoner or a gun. Wherever
the American fBg was planted by the
American soldier, there it stands
and there it shall stand forever.
But, as | said, have no speech to
make. | am glad to be among you
again, private citizen, and that | can
travel these streets and meet you in
social and business intercourse as of
old, and propose to stay here the bal
ance of my life. Good night"