The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1899-10-13
CIVIL WAR VETRANS
LISTEN TO M'K!NLEY
President Speaks at the Blue
and Gray Reunion.
CABINET MEMBERS THERE

Despite Heavy Rain, Ten Thousand
People Throng About the Railroad
Station to Welcome Distinguished
Guests.
EVANSVILLE, Ind, Oct. 11.-Presi'
dent Mckinley and his cabinet came
from Chicago this morning to attend
the national reunion of the blue and ihe
gray. A hsavy rain was faliing, cus
despite this 10, 600 veterans and visitors
thronged about the railroad station, and
tho veterans in gray We'd with tho vet
Grams in blue in rendering tremendous
ovation when the presidential train ar.
rived.
They swarmcd about the president and
cabinet officers. cheering and extending
their hands for grasp of welcome. AT
tho same time presidential salute CT
81 guns doomed from Camp Farragut
ct the tri state fair grounds. This was
the signal for whistles and bells through
out the city to join In.
Owing to the short stay Of the presi-
dent, the party was escorted by the
Cleveland grays and reception commit.
tee to the fair grounds, where President
Mckinley delivered an address.
Mayor William Aiken presided and
introduced @. A. De Brueler Of Evans
vile, who welcomed the distinguished
guests to the city.
Governor Mount followed with an ad.
dress of welcome on behalf of the state
and introduced President Mckinley,
| -~hN delivered short speech. The
| president said:
"It gives me very great pleasure to
participate with you. men of the north
and men Of the south, in this glad re.
union of hearts. We are already uni
fed; the peace which Grant and Lee
made at Appomattox has been kept not
| by law or restraint, but by love and fra
ternal regard. The union today rests
not OH force which may fail, but rests
| in the hearts of the people, a union that
never can be severed.
IF 1 have been permitted in tho
| slightest degree to help in work of re.
Cancellation and unification, I will es-
| TEEN it the greatest honor of my life.
When made the call for troops to pros.
ecute the Spanish war, mon from the
north and the south, without regard to
political belief or religious creed, rallied
10 the standard of the Union. The best
men Of tho south came-the sens of the
old confederate soldiers. The best men
| Oh Uuo C0lUC-tHe SOILS Oh tue Olu
members of the Grand Army Of the Re-
pubic. All came together in hoart and
hand to follow the flag of our country,
whichever way it might lead.
1--WE have boen reconciled, moro than
reconciled, for our reconciliation has
been baptized in the best blood of both
sections Of our beloved country,
"If q northern soldier put the flag up
at Santiago. southern soldier. the gal.
Manila. 1t rests with US to look to the
future, putting the past behind US. And
this government relies upon the patriot.
Rm OF the country, north and south, "a
stand by the purro es Of the government
and follow in the pathway of its destiny.
81 am glad to meet and greet You: we
come together not as we came third of
q century ago. with arms in our hands.
but we come with love for each other in
our hearts,
At the conclusion the president an.
nounced that the members of his cab.
met were present and several would
make short addresses
Attorney General Griggs Secretary
o. the Treasury Gage and Secretary Of
tho Navy Long spoke briefly.
Ehe presidential party was then as.
corted back to the train, followed nv n
long line of veterans, marching q in army
order. the blue and tho gray shoulder to
| ahoul6er w