Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1909-08-12
RECEIVED GREAT GREETING
Senator Cummins' Homecoming Made
Occasion for Great Demonstration

SENATOR Cumnlns pulled IN. they show
ed their welcome to him 10y waving the
national colors to the accompaniment of
The Star Spangled Banner" Such u
tremendous demonstration has never be-
fore been accorded an Iowan rs that
which was given the man who for the
past five months has fought tooth and
nail for Iowa interests ON the floor of
the United States senate. When the
senator stepped from the Pullman he
seemed dismayed TO see the immense
crowd on the station platform and all
around the vicinity of the depot. He
hesitated, smiled, stared at the multi
tude of people and then lifting his hat
in acknowledgment of the tribute paid
him, walked away with the members of
the reception committee delegated To
conduct him to the automobile awaiting
him outside the station.
The crowd shouted and sang rs their
distinguished fellow citizen walked
alongside the coaches to the flower be-
decked automobile which stood in Fourth
street. Senator Cummins seemed to be
amazed by his reception. His smile was
one Des Moines had never seen as he
climbed into the automobile. So great
was the crowd ut the Rock Island pas
senger station that policemen with ex.
tended clubs had to open u passageway
for the senator and those ON the recep-
ton committee. He was asked by those
on the reception committee not to ut
tempt to shake hands with his friends
" i can't keep from doing it, " said the
senator with smile rs he walked
through the crowd.
Fourth and West Walnut streets were
lined with people and policemen were
stationed all along the way to keep the
people on the sidewalks. The parade
was the most impressive one ever seen
i'll Des Moines' with the exception of
those on the occasion of the arrival of u
president. The streets were hung with
mammoth flags and the national colors
fioated from every window along the
line of march. Those who stood ON the
sidewalk to get glimpse of the senator
carried small flags. Occasionally Sena-
tor Cummins arose from his seat and
lifted his hat to the right and left while
the people clapped their hands and
shouted.
Two dozen automobiles followed those
arranged for by the reception committee
and many machines We're lined up along
the curb on both sides of Walnut street.
Amos Brandt, marshal of the day, and
his assistant marshal, Eugene Water
bury, rode on horseback before Supt of
Public Safety j. l.. Hamery and Police
Chief A. Ct. Miller, who were i'm the fire
department automobile. After them
came aplatoon ofpolice, Letter Carriers
band and Veterans drum corps. The
Carpenters union, of which Senator
Cummins is member, brought up the
rear.
- In beginning his talk Senator Cum
minis referred lightly to the strenuous
days he had put in during the extra SEES
sion of congress and made it plain that
he feels the need of rest
:" 1t sometimes happens that the heart
is so full that the tongue refuses 10 per-
form its ordinary service he said in
beginning. Ii is impossible for me in
view OF what you have done for me this
evening to adequately express what |
feel.
You act as though you were glad to
see me. If you are / appreciate it from
the bottom of my heart. But can
assure you that you are no more glad to
see me than am to see you. For the
past few weeks / have been so homesicl,
have hardly been able to discharge my
duties. suppose people from other
states get little homesick when they
go away but only citizen of Iowa can
know what real inconsistencies is. And
when added to that is the fact that he
lives in Des Moines you can understand
what l have suffered
Before | went to Washington YOU
know | didn't have very easy time.
For nine years | figuratively slept with
my clothes on. So thought | would be
permitted one season of peace and quiet.
But it has not been so. / have never
before been through such storm or stress
as the past few months in Washington.
Because of that my Homecoming on this
occasion is all the more pleasurable. F"
But whatever the future brings |
never agasn expect to experience such a
moment rs this, he said. II will always
remember this hour when you have Civ
en- me such evidences of loyalty and
esteem. | never can be worth the honor
you huNC bCoioNCu uItoi Dut
will study more diligently than ever so
that what say and do may reflect hon
or on the best people on the face of the
earth.
The senator talked plainly in explain
ing why he cast his vote against the
Payne Aldrich bill.
I'VE all know" he said, that there
is fundamental doctrine of the repub-
lican party. do not believe that this
fundamental doctrine was wisely applied
in the law just passed and therefore
voted against it. have no apology to
make / believe that the time will come
when that fundamental principle will
be so applied that it will be equitable
and just to all
I'm order to apply it so that the least
shall be lifted up and the greatest curb
ed we must have more intelligent inyes-
tigation of conditions than we have had
i'm the past. In the future / pledge all
the strength of my life, as / have given
it i'm the past, to bring this about"
II have brought home no evidences Of
victory to the people" he admitted. II
have no trophies of my fight to unfurl,
but / may say without improperly that
have voted every time just as | be-
lieved ought to vote And there is not
enough influence i'm the United States
senate: there is not influence enough
anywhere to induce me to depart one
hairs breadth from the path which |
have marked out for myself. may have
often been wrong, but whatever have
done have believed to he right.
1T has been said that if had been as
accommodating as some other senators |
might have gotten more for Iowa. have
not and never will vote for something |
know to be wrong in order TO get some
other vote for something believe TO be
right. Amy law for which plead and
vote must be founded on common Justice
and he for the benefit of all, the rich and
poor, the great and small