Meade County news. [volume] (Meade, Kan.) 1900-1918, 1907-03-28
BURTON IS WELCOMED.
Is GIVEN AN OVATION IN HIS
HOME TOWN.
ARRIVES AT ABILINE WITH Wife
Streets Packed With Humanity -
Band Leads the Procession = Old
Friends Stand by Him and New
Ones Are Made.

Abilene, Kan, March 25. - Six
years ago, about the same time in
March. United States Senator ].
Ralph Burton was given a soul-stir-
ring ovation by the people of Abb
lene as he boarded train for Wash
ington, there to enter upon his Off
cial career. He was the pride CT
the town and surrounding country
side. and the farewell accorded him
was of such sincerity that it was
enough to make any man feel proud.
This evening j. Ralph Burton,
minus the title and toga of United
States senator, returned home and
was received by his townsmen with
even more enthusiasm than was
shown when he took his departure
for the nations capital.
Notwithstanding the fact that the
atmosphere of the Ironton Jail,
where he served a six months SEN
tence, had scarcely lifted from his
garments, his welcome indicated
that he retains the same warm
friendship he enjoyed a half dozen
years ago.
In the greeting extended Senator
Burton and his wife as they alighu-
ed to the platform there were no
tears. but instead happy handshakes
and embraces. The town band,
with hundreds of people wearing
Welcome, Burton" buttons, was in
waiting at the depot. Upon the ar
rival of the train it played national
airs.
In an open carriage he went up 2
long street to his home in sort Of
triumphal procession. The side
walks were lined and hats we're lift
ed as he passed. After an informal
reception Mr.. and Mrs. Burton were
entertained at dinner by County
Treasurer Schneider.
On the trip home his train was
boarded at different stations by old
friends and newspaper men who
were anxious to greet the ex-senator,
and by the time the train reached
Abilene there were quite party
aboard.
Il don't know just what all my
friends have done in the way Of
making arrangements for the estab-
lishment of the newspaper plant"
Mr.. Burton said, but it is safe to
say that the Home Rule, which is to
be the name of my paper, will be in
circulation in the near future
The story of my case will be
first published in the paper in serial
form, beginning with the first issue.
After it has been all published il
the paper l shall have it published
in book form and place the book on
the market. l expect to devote the
rest of my life to writing and talk
ing. l shall make hundreds of
speeches"
The opera house meeting was bill
ed to begin at o'clock, but long be-
fore this hour every seat had been
taken. Tie stage was reserved for
old soldiers and all available space
was occupied. Mr.. Burton opened
the meeting without the usual pre-
sentation. He was received with
loud and prolonged applause. With
out any preliminaries he started in
with his speech, in which he scored
President Roosevelt and other high
officials in no uncertain words. The
climax of his speech came with the
statement that what brought the
president down upon him was the
story that Burton was for the
nomination of Hama for president
and accusing the president of base
ness and cowardice, he declared: 81
know the full import of the forego-
ing words. l know all the perfidy
and dishonor they portray, but what
ever the world may think of them,
now or hereafter, there are two men
who know they are true. One is J.
R. Burton and the other is Theodore
Roosevelt"