Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1919-09-17
GOTHAM CREETS
Cen. PERSHINC
Commander in Chief Of American
Expeditionary Force Given
Hearty Welcome.
STARTS s-1AY RECEPTION
Hailed First by Hydroairpisne Drop
ping messaees-Wears Four Stars
on His Shoulder, the Fourth
Man Since Washington.


home again. Standing on the bridge
of the huge Leviathan, itself symbolic
OF victory over Germany, the COM
mander Of the greatest host ever gath
cred under the Stars and Stripes came
slowly up the bay, world famed and
nailed as conquering hero should be.
Sad of face, stern and impassive, a
splendid figure of a soldier. he might
have been thinking, as the familiar
landmarks of New York came into
view, of the day twenty-seven months
ago when he slipped secretly out OF
the harbor on his way to France to
prepare the way for the hosts that
were to follow. Then he was only a
major general.
He came back today with four stars
since Washington TO wear them under
the American flag.
The shores of Staten island, Brook
Ign, New Jersey and Manhattan were
lined with thousands, whose shouts
of greeting came family across the
waters of the bay to the familiar fig-
ure on the bridge.
At the pier were many dignitaries of
Nation, state and city. and 1t was there
he was welcomed on behalf Of the
nation.
Messages dropped by a police n.y.
droairplane aboard the Leviathan at
daybreak as it approached the harbor
signalized the beginning of the three
days reception to General Pershing by
the city of New York.
After the first greetings were over
General Pershing made this statement
to the press:
There isn't anything of conse-
quence to soy IN circumstances like
these. 1t is overwhelming, overpo -
oring. TO say that l am glad to be
home is superfuous. l accept this in
the name of the brave fellows who
came over and served to the best of
their ability, making our success pos
sible."
General Pershing stepped ashore at
900 o'clock. Waiting for him at the
end Of the gang plank was Secretary
Baker with hands outstretched. Be-
hind Mr.. Baker were Senator War
rcn of Wyoming, General Pershing's
father-in-law, and Mrs. Warren, with
of the treasury.
In welcoming General Pershing, Sec
Rotary Baker said In part:
'The president has directed me 10
read to you this message:
my Dear General Pershing: l am
distressed that l cannot greet you In
person. II 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 return to the homeland you
have served so CALAMITY.
Notwithstanding my physical alb
sence. may l not, as your commander
In chief and as spokesman of our fell
low countrymen. bid you an affection
ate and enthusiastic welcome, a well
come warmed with the a-dor of gen.
uine affection and deep admiration.
"'You have served the country with
fine devotion and admirable efficiency
In a war forever memorable as the
worlds triumphant protest against in
justice and as its vindication of lib
erty-the liberty of peoples and of ma
lions.
I'VE 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 il 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 achievements OF
| our arms on land possible and who
so calamity assisted to clear the skies
of their lurking peril. Our hearts &c
out to them too.
lit is delightful to see you home
again. well and fit for the fatigueS
you must endure before we are done
| with our welcome"
Secretary Baker had been generou:
in his compliments. General PershinG
said, as to my part of the war" He
| declared, however. that "the victory
was only won by the united effort OF
the nation"
1.-THE American army at all time:
felt" he said, that 1t had the resolut'
and unanimous support of the people
at home"