The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1919-09-25
TALKS TO
HOUSE AND SENATE
Commander OF A. E. F. Given an
Ovation by Congress.
RECEIVES FORMAL THANKS
Tells Joint Meeting Of Houses In Reply
to Resolution That Cooperation
Of Whole People Won War
Praises stay-st-tomes.

Washington, Sept. 19.-Standlng In
the chamber of the house of repre-
sentatlves, with both the senate and
house present and the galleries crowd
ed with admirers, General Pershing
received the formal thanks of congress
for the services he and the officers and
men he commanded In France rem
dered during the great war. There was
an air of solemnity about the scene
more eloquent than words to tell Its
full meaning.
Senator Cummins, as president pro
tempore of the senate, sat with Speak
er Gillett. and when General Pershlng
had been escorted to the floor before
the speakers desk. facing great
American flag draped on the wall. ex-
tended the first greeting.
Speaker Glllett followed with a trib-
ute to the general and his army.
The formal resolution of thanks was
then presented to the general by
former Speaker Clark. 1t is In these
words:
"The thanks of the American peo-
pie and of the congress of the United
States are due. and are hereby ten
dered. to Gen. John j. Pershlng for
his highly distinguished services as
commander In chief of the American
expeditionary forces in Europe. and
to the officers and men under his COM
mand for their unwavering duty and
valor throughout the war;"
Pershlng Expresses Gratitude.
Acknowledging the honors conferred
by congress. General Pershing said:
II am deeply sensible of the privi-
lege of appearing before you as rep
resentative of the American expedi-
tionary forces and am filed with emo
ton at the sentiments that have been
expressed. This honor affords me pro-
found gratitude as a recognition of the
achievements of our splendid army.
In receiving at your hands an express
sion OF the approval of our people. l
am richly rewarded.
"A final report of the organization
and the operations of our armies will
be made to the secretary of war. The
manner in which this great force was
developed into an instrumentality for
victory is well known to you.
"The trials of battle demanded Spar
tan endurance and utmost self-sacri-
flee. Never have men faced more
difficult task nor borne greater hard
ship and never have troops shown a
finer spirit of willingness or more reso-
lutte purpose.
whether billeted in French. Bel
glan or Italian villages, or In camps
Of England, our young men have left
behind them standard of frankness,
Of integrity. of gentleness and of help
fulness.
ITO you. gentlemen Of the congress,
we owe the existence and mainten-
ance OF our armies In the war. You
promptly enacted wise laws TO develop
and apply our resources TO the best eff
| feet.
Held Presidents Confidence.
throughout the war. the president
reposed In me his full confidence and
] his unfailing support simplitied my
task. The secretary of war made re-
peated visits TO the front and | am
deeply grateful for his wise counsel"
1.-THE cheerfulness and fortitude OF
our wounded were an inspiration and
| a stimulus 10 their comrades. Those
/ who are disabled should become the
| affectlonate charge of our people,
whose care they have so richly earned.
Let us. In sympathy, remember the
| widows and the mothers who today
mourn the loss Of their husbands and
sons. The great achievements. the high
| ideals, the sacrifices of our army and
our people belong TO no party and TO
no creed. They are the republics leg
acy 20 be sacredly guarded and care
fully submitted to future generations.
/ The officers and soldiers who served
ut home are entitled TO their full share
In the victory.
"Our navy performed brilliant
part In transporting troops and sup
plies and In maintaining our sea com
munications. The army was conveyed
overseas with the maximum OF safe
~ and comfort and with incredibly
small loss.
"a special tribute is due those hen
evolent men and women who minis
tered 10 our soldiers at home and
abroad. The welfare societies. main
tanned by a generous public, gave us
invaluable aid.
"Our admiration goes out TO our
war-worn allies. whose tenacity. after
three years Of conflict. made possible
the effectiveness Of our effort"