The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-06-24
President Accepts Invitation TO
Visit Topeka.
Was Delivered Today by Col.
H. C. LOOMS.
WORD RECEIVED TODAY
Commander LOOmis Wires the
Good News.
Invitation an Example of West
ern Genius.

President Theodore Roosevelt of the
United States today accepted the invi-
tatiOn extended to him by the Grand
Army of the Republic of Kansas, Cover
nor Stanley Of Kansas and the Com
mercial club of Topeka to deliver the
memorial day address in this city May
80, 1904, the fiftieth anniversary of the
signing of the ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS bill in
congress.
The invitation was carried to Presi-
dent Roosevelt by Department Com
mander II. G. LOOMS of the c. A r.
The telegram received in Topeka today
announcing the presidents acceptance
of the invitation read Invitation eX-
tended in due form this morning and
accepted by the president"
The invitation was prepared by the
artist, Albert T. Reid, and Is a credit
TO western genius.
The first page bears the words ITO
the President in 2. bar surmOunting a
reproduction of the capitol building at
Washington in relief. To the right is
the United States flag in the form of the
shield before which stands the Goddess
of Liberty holding in her right hand the
end of a wreath OF roses forming Dor
der for the picture of the capitol build
ing. In the lower right hand corner the
one word Greeting"
The invitation was spread over II
pages, which were adroitly bound to-
gether with ribbons. The art designs,
etc, We're illuminated in colors Tho
second page bore the announcement of
the invitation of the Grand Army Of tha
Republic. In a wreath were the words
THE Grand Army of the Republic" and
underneath the designation Department
of Kansas" AS a background for the
wreath was a flag pole and flag over
which was hung a G. A. r. badge, held
alOft by the fair Goddess of Liberty.
! The following page bore the invitation.
| Beginning with an initial letter with an
! eagle with Outstretched wings for a
| background the invitation read:
1.-THE signing Of An act organizing the
/ territories of Nebraska and Kansas on
May 80 1854 by Franklin Pierce. presi-
| dent of the United States. marked an
/ epoch in the history of the country sec
! Ond only in Importance to the signing OF
/ the Declaration Of Independence. 1t
was the beginning of the end Of
/ slavery. The question Of the extension
| of slavery was fought out ON the soil
/ thus organized into territory, and
freedom won
1T is proposed to celebrate the semi
/ centennial of this important historic
] event in the city of Topeka, the capital
/ Of the state, in 1904"
Ihe following page contained: THE
fftieth anniversary of the signing of
the organic act VIII occur on Monday,
May Both, 1904. Memorial day.
The Grand Army of the Republic.
/ Department of Kansas, extends an in
! vitation to you to deliver the Memorial
address on that occasion and thus fit
/ tingly tnaugurate a weeks observance
l4LEAQG4 TO commemorate Lne historic
/ and patriotic occasion
The people of the capital city and of
the great state of Kansas will extend
1 a hearty welcome to the chief magis-
trate of the greatest republic on earth,
/ ana vie with each other in n akinR your
visit enjoyable. We beg of you to ac-
cept. Very respectfully, Henry G.
LOOMS, department commander"
The following page bears the an
nOuneement of the invitation of the
governor in scroll above another
scroll containing a reproduction of the
great seal of the state of Kansas. The
following page beginning with a design
for the initial letter bears the invita-
The semi centennial of the signing OF
the act organizing the territories Of Ne.
brasla and Kansas will occur on May 30
state by fitting ceremonies
THE Grand Army OF the Republic viii
celebrate the day by patriotic and interest.
ing services The department commander
h VIII invite you to be present to deliver
the memorial address. On behalf of thj
in the invitation. Kansas will give you
hearty welcome and your presence vii
contribute to make the occasion a success
and the day one lOng to be remembered
Nv. f STANLEY"
The following page bears the announce
ment OF the Invitation of the Commercial
club Of Topeka, which comes on the mex
page following. L Teads:
The Commercial club of Topeka. com
I DIl5lHS the aCtlNe business men OF Ihi
city. desires 70 supplement the invitation
to visit this city in 94. extended by Gel
H. 9 LOOMS department. commander c
the Grand Army # The J2epublic
1T is proposed TO celebrate the Semi
Centennial of the Act organizing the ter
ritory of Kansas in this city in an ap
propriate manner, beginning on Memoria
Day. 1904.
The occasion will he one in which thl
! people OF this great state will join. W,
assure you of a genuine Western welcOm,
and trust that you will accept the Crane
Army invitation. Very respectfully yours
t John E. Frost. president; T. J. Anderson
D secretary
The last page bears a panel of a west
ern sunset over q prairie with clumps O
bushes IN the distance above which Il
the date 1902" and below is the artisti
name
The Topeka Commercial club, the Civil
Z Improvement society and the Topek;
, Choral society will each take an activ
part in preparing for the festivities tina
will mark the celebration of the ami
versary of the semi-cente of the i'm
$ portant event Of the signing of the Kan
= SASH ebrasla bill. The Grand Army viii
also assist, and it is thought likely tina
organization in almost every city in TIL
! state will assist. 1t is planned to max
the occasion the most renarka bic ever DC
curing within the confines of the Stat
. Of Kansas.