The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1911-08-11

more to us than formal welcome
from your city.
Returning here as we have TODAY
AFTER long absence, brings to mind
tnat other welcome and the great kind
ness shown to us, mere lads as Ne
were, by the people of Keol1uk fifty
years ago. And we are reminded sof
! mat glorious day, when as high head.
tied, proud young soldiers, with muskets
on our sholders We marched away to
war, followed by the fearful good-byes
and prayers and blessings of your
people. That was an epoch in our
lives, and this reunion is in memory
Of that time.
We went from here that day at
twenty-one (our average age), full of
nope and ambition, we return today
at seyenty-one, our work finif/ed and
our hopes and ambitions fully realiz-
ed, with not only peace in America,
but treaties of permanent peace being
made and signed by the great powers
of the earth.
AT our last reunion, when some one
suggested that we go to Keokuk for
our half century reunion, everybody
voted yes. And the more we thought
about it, the more we were fascinated
with the thought of going back to
dear old Keokuk. We were like
lover who has come into the neigh.
borhood of his sweetheart, and we
could not stay away.
Your warm welcome has touched
our hearts and made our coming a
precious asaS onNsfm1aHH e9 aepeeern to
1t is often said that there is no
adequate compensation for the suf-
ferings of war. So nations erect mon
uments in memory of their soldiers
and history writes them in the etern-
al ages. But say to you, at this
time and place. that the tear of SYM
pathy and appreciation and the warm
handclasp Of those about us, are dear
er to us than statues of bronze and
obelisks of marble. Let the granite
shafts and historic records teach pa
triotism to coming generations, but
give the touch of personal interest and
affection to the living.
We have come here in very remi-
niscent mood. Many of us kept iourn-
ais, near the top Of the first page was
the NAME Keokuk, in large letters.
We have carried the name in our rec
ords and in our hearts all these years.
And / assure you we have been glad
to see her winning success and fame
both in war and peace.
In the civil war she produced more
distinguished field officers and gener-
ais than any city OF her size in the
land. And in peace her right to dis
tinction was no less marked. When
President Lincoln was searching for
great jurist for the supreme bench,
to hold unbroken our organic law in
that trying time, he came to Keokuk
and selected Samuel F. Miller. When
President Grant needed man with
courage and ability for secretary or
war he sent to Keokuk for general w.
w. Belknap. When President HAYS
wanted an able advisor in his cabinet
he turned to Keokuk for George w.
McCrary. And when President Har-
rison looked over the land for man
broad enough to manage the greatest
department of the national govern
ment he made General ]. w. Noble
Of Keokuk secretary Of the interior.
All these things and many more we
have been pleased to know OF your
city. But must not dwell longer on
the fame and glory of tKeokuk.
| All this historic interest, interwo-
ven with our precious memories makes
this coming a glad and happy one, to
the few that are left of that three