Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1902-08-20
SMITH
Exalted by Eel
IoW.TOWnsmen.
Not a Picture Of Roose-
welt
Was Seen at Banquet Given the
Soldier.

mentary banquet was iasp ulSht teh
dered 10 Gen. Jacob II. Smith, by local
Grand Army men and citizens. The
reception was from to 8 o'clock, held
in the Washington hotel. The factories
closed early and thousands of workmen
mingled with the business and profess
sional men of the city, In the great
throngs that shook the hand Of the old
warrior. Although the banquet was
distinctly as stag affair, hundreds OF
ladies crowded about in the throng to
meet Gen. Smith.
When the General was sighted a
mighty cheer went up. Bands played,
red fire burned, men shouted and ladies
waved their handkerchiefs in mad en-
thusiasm. The general was forced to
step to the balcony and say a few
words TO quiet the throng. Long be-
fore the time for the reception to be-
gin the hotel lobby was thronged and
the streets blocked for squares. Hun
dreds were unable to get glimpse of
the general, although for over an hour
he was kept busy shaking hands with
comrades OF three wars, friends OF
his boyhood and children Of those who
had known him 40 years. The banquet
was the most elaborate ever attempted
in Portsmouth. Capt. Greed Milstead,
commander of the G. A. II. Post and
Mayor of the city, welcomed Gen.
Smith home to Portsmouth in rich
! eloquence. Gen. Smith was almost
overcome with emotion when he re-
sponded. He said in part:
mir. Toastmaster and Gentlemen:
More than 40 years ago, in answer to
the call to arms of my country, l left
my home and my friends to become
n soldier in the union army. During
every day since that time l have been
and aln still soldier. Tonight my com
rades in arms, my old neighbors and
| friends and the generation Which has
come upon the stage Of action since
have bade me welcome home again. For
this generous welcome from my com
rades insarms of four wars, l thank
| trotr f,,nr h., hot - mt
The duty of a soldier Is to his coun-
try. He is to maintain the honor of his
nation, to protect its citizens whereso
ever he may be. We have fought tc
make this a united country, to wresi
the great west from the hordes of In
dian savages and to protect the from
tiersmen and their wives and children
In their homes, to bring the blessings
of liberty and good government to oul
nelghborlng and distant isles of thu
seas, to avenge the massacre in the har
Dor Of Havana, to compel obedience
to our authority in the Philippine is
lands and to paclfy and subdue tn,
most savage tribes of the earth. TIL,
warfare in which our troops are en-
gagged in the, Philippines differs from
!, any In which we have ever engaged
heretofore and speaking not for my
self, they have all done their duty well
officers and soldiers, and deserve wei
OF their country,
) IN Luzon the tribes are dlfferen
from those of Samar, the latter bein,
peoplcd by savage tribes who do no
recognize any rules of civilized war
fare, but are treacherous and bruta
to the lowest degree. still they mus
be brought into subjectlon. For tn
humble part which took am awar
that there has been much criticism
but to take criticism is part of u sol
dier's training. ] have already had oc
casion to say that he must take wha
comes to him without complaining AM
let his country say whether he ha
acted the part of q soldier or not, NJ
sword is still ut the command Of IN
country.
but, my friends, let me say tina
through all the years OF service, dul
Ing which time have been almost /
all nations and seen all peoples, n
place on earth has appealed TO me lik
Portsmouth, II is. the only place
could ever call home, and here in you
beautiful valley, beyond which lie tn
noble hills OF Kentucky, where sper
many OF my happiest boyhood days,
expect to live, sharing with you you
joys and sorrows, your prosperity an
adversity"
| Other toasts We're responded to b
Hon. ]. J. Glidden, OF Cincinnati; d
: Edward Ricketts,, Of Cincinnati, an
prominent local people. All breathe
commentator for the cause of Gsl
Smith and hoped that he would be +,
r instated. The hotel was profusely de-
J. Grated with pictures of Mckinley an
other distinguished men, but no po
4 trait Of President Roosevelt was vi
ible.