Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-09-08

and the soldiers who once marched
through the thickest of the Argonne
arc citizens again, filled with high
memories OF great deeds are carry
ing into life the inspiration which
membership in that great company
and sacrifice for that great cause
engendered. Your return closes the
history of the American expedition
ary forces. The president had hoped
to be here personally to speak on
behalf of the nation u word of well
come. In his enforced absence he
has directed me to speak it.
II bid you welcome. gratefully,
on behalf of the country you have
served and on behalf of the people
whose sons you have led. The con-
you have sacredly kept. Wherever
there is a soldier or a friend of a
soldier, there is a lover of liberty;
wherever there Is a heart which re-
Joices at the deliverance of mankind
from its hour of peril you and your
great Army are remembered and
loved. You return not only to
American soil but to the heart of the
country.
Wilson'S Message
THE President has directed me to
read to you this message:
My Dear General Pershing:
L am distressed that l cannot
greet you in person. 1t would give
me the greatest pleasure to grasp
your hand and say to you what is in
my heart and in the hearts of all
true Americans, as we hail your re-
turn to the home land you have
served so gallantly. Notwithstanding
"a hCn ~
your commander-in-ch and as
spokesman of our fellow country
men, bid you an affectionate and en-
thuSiastic welcome welcome
warmed with the ardour of genuine
afection and deep admiration. You
have served the country with fine
devotion and admirable efficiency in
a warfare ever memorable as the
worlds triumphant protest against
injustice and as it's vindication of
liberty - the liberty of peoples and
of nations.
We are proud of you and of the
men you commanded. No finer
Armies ever set their indomitable
strength and unconquerable spirit
against the forces of wrong Their
glory is the glory of the nation, and
1t is with a thrill of profound pride
that we greet you as their leader
and commander. You have Just come
from the sea and from the care of
the men of the Navy who made the
accomplishments of our Armies on
land possible and who so gallantly
assisted to clear the seas Of their
lurking peril. Our hearts go out to
them, too.
1T is delightful to see you home
again, well and fit for the fatigues
you must endure before we are done
with our welcome. 1 will not speak
now of our associates on the other
side of the sea. 1t will be delight
full on many occasions to speak their
praise. 1 speak now only of our
personal joy that you are at home
again and that we have the oppor-
tunity to make you feel the warmth
OF our anectionate welcome"
Handed Commission
AS General Pershing was escorts I
to the upper deck of the pier, n
guard of honor from the First Di-
vision stood at present arms while
n large detail of officers saluted.
Along the whole length of the pier
there was n double line of soldiers
and Welfare Workers who had seen
service in France. AS the COM
mander approached there was q
fanfare of trumphets
Secretary Baker, who acted as
master of ceremonies, escorted Cen
eral Pershing to a platform where
he welcomed him in behalf of the
Nation. At the close of his address
Mr.. Baker handed to Pershing his
permanent commission as a full
general IN the American Army. The
commander bowed his acknowledge
ments and then, leaning over the
rNl1 1nV DO
son, Warren, who displayed all a
small boys delight in the proceed
ings.
Secretary Baker then introduced
United States Senator wadsworth,
of New York, who extended the
formal welcome of the Senate, and
Representative Mondell, majority
leader in the House of Representa-
tives, who spoke for his associates,
Mr.. McAdoo spoke the welcome of
the city of New York and Mrs. T.. M.
Swacker greeted Pershing in behalf
of the Governor of Missouri, his
home state. The leader of the Army
responded briefly.
Overwhelmed With Emotion
Gazing proudly upon the soldiers
of the First Division, General PersE-
ing, in response. declared that the
affectionate words of greeting over
whelmed him with emotion. He was
happy to be once again on Ameri-
can soil, he said. The warmth of
his reception made him feel. he said,
that "if this is to continue I believe
that before many days l might WISH
that the war had not come to an
end"
Secretary Baker had been gener-
Gus in his compliments, General
Pershing said, as to my part in tie
war" He declared, however, that
the victory was only won by the
united effort of the nation"
The American Army at all times
felt" he said, that it had the resO-
lutte and unanimous support of the
people at home"
Morale Never Shaken
The General emphasized the
achievements of his troops. declai- =
ing that "the morale of the men was
never for moment shaken"
"All credit is due to those brave
fellows who faced without flinchinC
and with but little preparation o
we'll drilled army. 1t is to them,
Mr.. Secretary and my friends, to
whom we owe the highest tribute
for the w.nriug of the war"
Those Who Fell
Referring tenderly to those wto
had fallen in battle, General PERISH
ing said:
Those whom we left behind III @
in the hands of an affectionate and
grateful people. Their graves VIII
be visited by Americans who 20
abroad and from these graves new
lessons of patriotism will DO
learned