The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-04-27

OF the endowment Of character they have
rece we'd.
I'VE are back In New York. and we're
glad to be back. We were proud to carry
the banner OF our native city and state
and to sing Its praises. German children
on the Rhine to-day have learned from.
us and are actually singing Take Me
Back to New York Town OF course.
no New Yorker Is ever born here.
but every American who registers abroad
signs himself as coming from this city.
All the men who Joined our regiment in
France who came from elsewhere will
be proud In the future to call themselves
residents OF this town. I'm happy and
proud we've been able TO render some
service to the fame Of this city. and glad
to return once more among you"
You made an illustrious record In this
grea. war which was waged not only for
the benefit of our country but OF all man
kind" said Mayor Hylan in welcoming
the officers. This history OF your mag
nif1cent achievements cannot be wr tten
in a day. nor can we expect our contem-
porarics to chronicle these events In their
true light. Time must intervene and
men far removed from the present gen.
GRAFTON will best know how to estimate
the tremendous consequences of this
great epoch. The splendid record OF the
Sixty-ninth will occupy many brilliant
pages in the annals Of Americas part in
this most frightful war.
'"The prodigious popularity OF your
regiment is traceabe to the fact that the
Sixty ninth Is born Of the fighting SIP rit
of our people and is product OF our ma
tional courage. supported by the enthu-
siasm and pride of our great cosmopoli-
tan population.
stimulus to Allies.
The inherent, unconquerable force OF
the Amer can soldier proved an exhil-
arating stimulus and example to our
allies. The bold heart an dthe cheerful
spirit in the end inevitably succeeded.
1t made the blood tingle and the pulse
beat quicker to read OF the wonderful
ardor and self-sacrifc ng patriotism Ct
the American solder-the pride OF our
country and the envy of the world.
we have already joyousiy welcomed
the men of many military units. There
has been one regiment near and dear to
us whose return we have anxiously
awaited, and that is your reg Ihent.
With mingled feelings of JOY and sad
ness we have extended a hearty welcome
and hand clasp to you. We cannot for
get In the midst OF our gladness the
hundreds Of brave men of the Sixty
ninth Regiment who freely offered their
Ives on the altar OF patriotism"
Marcel Knecht of the French High
Commission thanked the regiment In the
name of his Government for their service
to France and the allied cause.
You have done very much to save
France from defeat and I am proud to
be here to express the thankfulness, not
only of my Government but of the army
and people Of France" said he. You
have been our brothers and II Is a duty
and pleasure for me 10 come here to-
night in behalf OF France to tell you
we will never forget your great aid to
civilization"
Commissioner Knecht referred to the
fact that Marshal Foch was once COM
mander OF the Sixty-ninth Regiment of
the French Army and that he had risen
tC be Generalissimo Of the allied forces.
Let us hope" he concluded. that 1t
will be Gen. Donovan who will be Cen
eralissimo of future allied armies"
Canon Cabonel. chaplain of the Blue
Devils, also spoke.
Seated mt Guests Table.
Seated at the guests table were MAJ
Gen. William A. Mann. Col. ]. J. Phelan.
commanding the Sixty-ninth Regiment.
New York State Guard; Daniel NJ.
Brady, Major-Gen. David c. Shanks,
Col. Donovan. Rodman Wanamaker.
Mayor Hylan. Chaplain Duffy. Lieut.
Gov. Harry c. Walker, former Justice
Morgan ]. O'Brien. MAJ, Gen. Thomas II.
Barry. Frank l.. bowling, Borough
President OF Manhattan: Marcel Knecht.
Chaplain Canon Cabonel Frank A. Mum
sey. Brig Gen. Michael ]. Lehman, Po-
lice Commissioner Enright and Mgr.
John J. Dunn.
The Fire Department band furnished
music and cabaret performance. with
artists from various vaudeville houses,
was given during the dinner.
More than 1000 of the enlisted men
Of the regiment enjoyed the supper and
dance at the armory. Each man was
served with vegetable soup, half a roast
chicken, green peas, potatoes, pie. ice
cream, cake, coffee, cigars and cigar
cites. The supper was In charge OF the
Canteen Division of the Mayors Com
mittee and $50 young women aids vol
unteered their services as mattresses.
The men Jeff Camp Mills for the city
yesterday noon and will spend most of
to-day with their relatives and friends
IN town. They must all be back in
camp by O'Clock tonight. in readiness
for the final cleaning up process for the
parade Monday.
The Mayors Committee announced
last night that 1857 grand stand tickets
had already been given out
Son rn@@nC ClIT