Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-09-19
GRAND ARMY PRAISE SERVICE.



An Address by Judge william II. Day,
Former Secretary of State.
Cleveland, o., Sept. l2.-The National
Encainpment of the Grand Army of the
Republic opened this morning ut the Euclid
Avenue Opera House with large atteu-
dance, Intense interest was manifested by
the delegates in the report OF the committee
on pensions, and 1t was generally believed
that the convention would take some radical
action bearing on that subject.
Judge William X. Day, former Secretary
OF State, delivered the following address nc
the praise service;
ION Friday last, the President of the
United States, having responded to an in
vitation to attend the exposition at Buffalo,
delivered an address expressing with great
force and beauty the supremacy of the VIC
tories OF pence over those of war, and in
rarely telicitous language yoicing the hope
that the nations Of the earth might dwell
together In unity. He was about to close
his visit by meeting the people at public
reception, as has been his wont on many
| occasions. On his way to the reception, a
| friend expressed TO him the thought that
| meeting 50 many people might make un-
usual demands upon his strength. He re-
piled that the people had ever been kind to
him and 1t was a pleasure to meet with
them, and he found great satisfaction in
their expressions OF confidence ana esteem.
with these sentiments on his lips, at n
time when the country was in profound
| peace, when prosperity aeounded ON all
hands, when his worth aud ability and
| gentle kindness had endeared nim, 1t was
believed to all his countrymen, without
| warming he waB stricken nom the fulness
Of hualth TO the portals of death itself.
such an attack upon such man, under
| such circumstances in country like ours
seems almost impossible. Other Presidents
have been stricken In the excitement follow
Ing great civil strife, and when the evil
| passions OF disappointed craftsmanship we're
rife. That a man thus bamelcss could be
! attacked 20 must needs make us pause n
moment and reflect. II affords 10 the people
| OF this country another lesson as to their
| duty in dealing with those who encourage
upon American soil the growth and propa-
CATION Of principles which make such attacks
SOW the wind we shall reap the whirlwind.
1t lie one of the sayings If the President,
Thought worthy OF emphasis, that there
are no classes in this fair land OF ours.
There must be no place under our flag
for the propaganda OF the doctrines of the
anarehi IS.
Laws must he enacted which shall visit
upon such criminals with just ind sure
punishment not only the pupil, but the
teacher OF snch theories must BIO reached
and punished.
THE regret that he cannot be with his
|
is as much felt upon his part as it is upon
yours. His first real experience in life,
| breaking in upon his college days. was with
the Grand Army Of the Republic. Who shall
say. that Ia the duties, hardships and pri-
vations of thnt service the foundations of
q great character may not have been securely
lnidp He belonged to that noble regiment
| which has given to the country another
| PRESIDENT, a great general and Il Justice OF
the Supreme Court of the United States.
Upon the authority of one of his COM
rades, we have on incident which showed,
even in those early days, the qualities which
! nave made him equal to the great occasions
| with which his career has been crowded.
When Gen. Early had attacked the Federal
| army near Winchester and driven 1t back,
| William Mckinley, noted at the roadside an
| old lady, down whose face tears OF sympathy
were flowing at what she believed to be a
/ great disaster to the Union arms The
young officer drew up his horse, and said to
iher: Cheer up; haze no fear. We shall be
| back this way again. In few days, the
prophecy was made true, and the victorious
army of the Union swept back through
Winchester. driving the enemy from the
shenandoah Valley. These great traits, kind
ness of heart and confidence in his cause,
have ever been characteristic of him. To-
day, the world knows the story of his life,
ana his place in the history OF the country
and OF the world is secure. We rejoice that
! MS uuys OF usefulness are not ended. we
rejoice above all that to the people of this
State, who have so long known and loved
him. his lie remaips for our guidance and
comfort. ~
Gen. SicBles offered resolution tender
ing to the President affectionHte congratu-
lations upon his rapid convalescence, for
| which all civilized nations pray. Comrnde
Thistewood of illinois offered as an amend
ment series. Of resolutions calling for a
law furnishing attacks upon the Chief kx-
ecutiye as treason. The amendment was
not seconded, and Gen. Sickles' resolution
was adopted BY rising vote.
The roll showed total voting strength
of 1,340, including delegates. department
commanders and past department COM
manders.