The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1899-10-14
'KINLEY's TOUR.
lie Speaks to the Blue and the Cray.


Blue and the Gtay, heavy rain was
fslll0g, but despite this 10 600 vet
erans and visitors thronged about the
railroad station, aud the veterans in
gray Wed with the veterans in blue
IN rendering an ovation when the
Presidential party arrived. They
swarmed about the President and
Cabinet officers. cheering and extend
ing their hands for grasp Of vel
come. At the same time Presiden-
tial salute Of 81 guns doomed from
Camp Farrsgut, at the Tri.Stste Fair
Grounds. This was the signal for
whistles and bells throughout the city
to j)in 10.
Ogipg TO the short stay Of the
President the party was at once
escorted by the Cleveland Grays and
reception committee to the Fair
Grounds
Mayor W. NJ Akin presided aud
introduced c. a. De Bruler, Of
Evansville, who welcomed the dis
tinguished guests and veterans to the
city. Gov. }. a. Mount followed with
an address of welcome on behalf Of
the State, aud introduced President
Mckinley. who delivered short
speech. The President said
Il gives me very great pleasure
to participate with you, men OF the
North and men of the South, IN this
GLAD reunion of hearts. We are al
ready unified the peace which Grant
and Lee made at Appomattox has
been kept, not by law or restraint,
but by love and fraternal regard.
The Union today rests not On force
which may fail, but rests in the
hearts of the people, a union that
never can be severed.
II have been permitted IN the
slighte degree TO help in the woi K
Of reconciliation and unlfcation, |
will esteem it the greatest honor Of
nv life. When | made the call for
troops to prosecute the Spanish war
men from the North and the South,
Sithout regard to political belief or
religious creed, rallied to the stand
ard of the Union. The best men Of
the South came, the sons Of old Con
federate soldiers. The best men OF
the North came, the sons of the old
members of the Grand Army of the
Republic. All came together in
heart and hand to follow the flag Of
their country wherever 1t might lead.
4" We have been reconclled-more
than recouclled, for cur reconciliation
has been baptized in the best blood
of both sections of our beloved oOun
try II a Northern soldier put the
atg up at Santiago, a Southern sol
der, the gallant Brumby,ot Georgia,
put il up over Manila. 1t rests with
u to look to the future, putting the
past behind US. Aud this Govern
ment relies upon the patriotism Of
the country, North and South, to
stand by the purposes of the Govern
ment aud follow in the pathway Of
its destiny.
81 am glad to meet and greet you.
We come together not as We came a
third Of q century ago, with arms IN
our hands, but we come with love for
each other in our hearts"
At the conclusion of his speech
President Mckinley announced that
the members of his Cabinet were
preseut and several would make short
addresses.
Secretary of the Treasury Gage,
Secretary of the Navy Long and
Attorney General Griggs spoke
briefly.
At the conclusion Of the speeches
the Presidential party was at once
driven to the railroad station, and
departed at noon for the North.
Just before President Mckinley
left Evansville be was forced to com.
ply with the wishes of q large crowd
Of citizens gather ed at the station,
and delivered second brief address
in that city from the rear of the
train. He said in part;
1.-THE strength and safety of this
great nation of ours do not rest in
armies or in navies, but in the love
aud loyalty of its people. And so
long as we have the people behind
that, so long as we have tho senti-
meut that goes out from the homes
and fresides of the American people,
so long will we have the best citizen.
ship aud at last the best country"
At vlncennes the President was
greeted by another large crowd. He
spoke 10 part as follows:
81 thank you for this most warm
and generous welcome. We ought TO
be a very happy1people. We are
very happy people.
I" We have been blessed with good
crops and fair prices. Wages and
employment have waited upon labor,
and, differing from what it was few
wears ago, labor is not waiting on the
outside for wages. We have good
money, and plenty of it, circulating
as our medium of exchange. When
YOU have q dollar Of il you know
that dollar is worth 100 cents, be.
cause back of it is the Government
of the United States.
Not only have we prosperity, but
we have patriotism, and what more
do we want9 We are at peace with
all the nations Of the world. We
have little trouble IN the Philip.
pines, but the gallantry of the brave
boys who have gone there will. |
trust, soon put down that rebellion
against the sovereignty of the United
States"
The President made short addresses
at the towns through which he pass
ed. At each crowd was in waiting
to receive him.
AT Hopeston, ILL.,, be said. in part.
We are not a military people
We love peace. We love the pur.
suits of peace. We love its occupa.
tions. We are not military gov
erumeut, and never will become one;