The sun., 1919-09-19
General Welcomed at Joint
Session With Tributes
From Leaders.
COMMANDER LAUDs MEN
Praises People for Support in
War-Clark Speaks Con-
CALCULATIONS.


to hail the man who led Americas ar
mes to the contamination Of victorious
peace. A thousand more Americans
TANNED the galleries OF the House. while
other thousands not yet satisfied with
opportunity for adulation OF the COM
mander, gathered about the Capitol TO
cheer and applaud.
Gen. Pershing was welcomed to the
joint session by Senator Cummins' la:)
President pro temore, on behalf OF the
Senate, and the welcome was renewed
few minutes later by Speaker Gillett
tMass) of the House. Representative
Clark, fellow Missourian, pronounced the
words Of praise and congratulations on
behalf Of all Congress and informed the
General OF all the armies Of the United
States. which Is the new title OF the
commander of the American Expedition
airy Forces, that he had received the
thanks of Congress for his distinguished
service.
Throughout the oratory Gen. Pershing
fianked by his stan sat facing the ros-
trum, his expressive face now serious
now breaking into an engaging smile.
Then Gen. Pershing arose, faced his au-
ditors- and for fifteen minutes gripped
his listeners with speech In praise OF
the Americanism which had made VIC
tory possible, and the Americans In
every walk of life who had contributed
their part I'm the war.
THE glorious record made in the fight
for our treasured ideals will be
precious heritage to posterity." said Gen.
Pershing. at has welded together our
people and given them deeper sense OF
nationality"
Praise Given to All.
This much and no more was Gen.
Pershing's reference to the purposes of
Americas contribution to the victory.
His speech was a psean OF praise for
every contributing element in American
life, in the army. the navy. the indus
tries, the arts, the professions, the
workers, paid and volunteer. who had
done their part in the bitter exigency
every element save John ]. Pershing of
Laclede, Mo-, the brain at the head of
the greatest war machine that ever adj
vanced under the Stars and Stripes.
Summing up the views OF Gen. Per-
shing into a single sentence. America
went to war when the spirit of the
American people could no longer rest in
peace with honor. fought her war to its
glorious conclusion and resumes now the
duties the burdens, the rigsts and the
Joys Of peace, still an American Amer
lea
The scene In the hall of the House Of
Representatives to-day was strangely
suggestive of that other scene twenty
nine months ago when President Wilson.
summoning Congress to a joint session.
Informed II that a state of war between
the United States and the Imperial Ger
man Government was an existent fact
and sought Of Congress the necessary
declaration to that effect.
The House met at half past /. At
;4b the Senators headed by Senator
Cummins fled to their places in front
Of the members Of the House. On the
stroke Of 3 the doorkeeper of the
House announced. Gen Pershins and
the members Of his stan" House.
their feet and pandemonium reigned.
Gen Pershing, with the four silver
stars OF General cleaning on his
shoulder straps, and wearing only a
single decoration. the white ribbon edged
with blue and red of the Distinguished
Service Medal and his Sam Browne belt
freshly polished-for the ceremony, strobe
behind the committee, but behind him
came the stan in fighting khaki,
decorated and be-ribboned to the ex-
trenity of military regulation.
Enthusfasm Greets General.
The roaring applause subsided.
Speaker Gillett explained the purposes
Of the Joint session and Senator Cummins
spoke his brief address Of welcome. He
was followed by Speaker Gillett and in
turn by ex-Speaker CLARK and the audi
ence listened interestedly to the preIimin-
aries. II was when Mr.. Clark had
finished and Cen Pershing arose. and
took his notes from an aid that the
gathering let loose it's real enthusiasm.
Gen. Pershing said in part:
81 am deeply sensible of the privilege
OF appearing before you as a repre-
sentative of the American Expeditionary
Forces, and am filled with emotion at
the sentiments that have been expressed
This honor affords me profound graft
tude as a recognition of the achieve
ments of our splendid army In receiv-
ing at your hands an expression of the
approval OF our people am richly re-
warded.
1.-THE trials Of battle demanded Spar
tan endurance and utmost self-sacrifice
Never have men faced a more difficult
task. nor borne greater hardship, and
never have troops shown a finer spirit
OF willingness or more resolute purpose
THE might of America lay not only
IN her numbers and her wealth but
also in the spirit OF her people and their
determination to succeed at whatever
cost
Speaker Gillett in his address said:
Human nature loves to personify its
sdeals. II loves a hero and hero wor-
snip. And 80 we all rejoice to see per-
sonifed in the Commanding General the
gallantry the high purpose, the uncon-
Quering determination of our crusadinR
army. Those boys were our bravest and
best For those who fell we render tear
fui homage. For those who return
MANNED and crippled we owe tender care
and support But for the great army
which has come back disciplined in body
and In character, having bravely offered
the supremest sacrifice. for them / have
indeed gratitude and admiration
you have seemed 10 us not only n
successful General bending all hts great
powers without favor and without
ieniency to the one stern purpose of
victory but you have also seemed a
wise, discreet, restrained farsiRhted
man. You have developed neither ar
rogance ner affectation but that you
have come back as you went away
modest, straightforward, unspoiled"
The formal resolution Of thanks was
then presented to the General by former
Speaker Clark
In conclusion the former Speaker Maid
tribute to his native State and ex-
planned why he had been selected 70
speak, firing:
The thief reason why the committee
or arrangements appointed me for this
most pleasant function is thef fact you
are not only a great American but also
the foremost living Mssourian and I