The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1919-09-10
General Pershing Touched By
Greeting of School Children
THANKS THEM FOR
PATRIOTISM IN WAR
Addresses $4,000 in Central
Park and Thanks Them For
Patriotism In War
AIsace-LorrainersP Present Him
With Flowers-f'arade
This Morning

NEW YORK Sept. s-Standing be-
fore q veritable forest OF American
faxs held in the hands OF more than
3o,eoe school children packed into the
sheep meadow in Central park this att
erncon, General Pershing personally
thanked them for their patriotism dur
ing tho war.
tho patriotism Of the children OF
America" he said. has heen an inspirs-
ton not only to the grown-ups. but to
the boys who carried the ride at ths
front"
Tho children, representing the public
schools OF the city. had waited in the
park for nearly three hours to get
glimpse OF the commander in chief.
When his car came into view the chorus
OF cheers greeted him.
The ceremony Itself was very brief.
occupying less than hfteen minutes. IT
opened with a salute to the nag" led
By Boy Scouts and recited by the chill
dren present. This was followed by the
singing Of the national anthem. after
which General Pershing was INTRODUCED.
The commander was vtsibly affected BY
the greetins.' as were his two sisters.
After gazing In silence over the crowd
for nearly two minutes, the general
said:
school children Of the city OF New
York: II gives me extreme pleasure 10
be here this afternoon for a few mo-
ments and To witness this patriotic ccrc-
mony.
1T is upon you We must depend in the
future to defend IN" principles ot our
forefathers. To defend the principles VIC
all love SO we'll tcrl sure you under
stand the principles for which the war
was tonight and that you JOIN with me
IN congratulat!ng America on its VIC
torious conclusion.
I'm sure the patriotism Of the school
children OF America has been an inspira-
tion not only to the Erown-ups. but 10
the boys who carried the r:ne at the
front. I thank you for this great lesson
In patriotism. and wish that everyone
who served in Europe could see II as
have seen H."
.A!tcTsthe ceremony tho hundreds OF
children broko through III" police lines
in an effort to shake The generals hand.
Several were successful.
After the exercises in tho sheep
meadow the general was presented with
an American nag, by schoolgirl. As
he received the eift ne bowed gracefully
snd pressed the national colors to his
iipG
P-0gc1ted 3lowo-5.
=. a delegation OF IS Nsacr-Lorrainers.
led by Maurice CaScnavH. minister pl"ni-
poteptiary for France: Marcel knccht, a
member Of tho French high commission.
and Consul General Liberi. called at IN"
Waldorf TO pay their respects 10 Cen
eral PerShnG and to express IN" graft
tude Of tho French PEOPLE for his sorry
ices in helping 10 libcratc Alsace-L"r'
rainc.
Two lite girls. Charlotte and GeorS'
etts Eeufr. daughters Of Now York
banker. a:tired az "AlSacn' and "f."r'
raine." presented two bouquets Of lllirs
and roses tied with the silk tri-c"lnr nt
France 70 the American commander.
General Pershing. after kissing the
maidens on both checks as is the Gus
tom in France. briefly responded 10 the
delegation. !.
Il am proud 10 have been oC tho army
(continued on Page Tcn.)