The Glasgow courier. [volume] (Glasgow, Mont.) 1913-current, 1919-09-12
" NV dear General Pershinp:

my dear General Pershing:
=" L am distressed that I cannot
greet you in person. 1t 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 gal
lantly. Notwithstanding my physical
absence, 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 ardor and genuine
affection and deep alteration. You
have served the country with fine de-
votion and admirable efficiency in a
war forever memorable as the worlds
triumphant protest against injustice
and as it's vindication Of liberty-the
liberty of peoples and of nations.
owe 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 it is with a
thrill of 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 seas of their
lurking peril. Our hearts go out to
them too.
1T is delightful to see you home
again, we'll and fit for the fatigues
you must endure before we are done
with our welcome. l will not speak
now of our associates on the other
TO- ,.dhisStates-praydga-tc SHRDLU
side of the sea. 1t will be delightful
on many occasions to speak their
praises. l speak now only of our per-
sonal JOY that you are at home again
and that we have the opportunity to
make you feel the warmth of our af-
fectionate welcome.'"
Gazing proudly upon the soldiers
of the First division, General PERISH
ing, in response, declared that the af-
fectlonate words of greeting over
whelmed him with emotion. He was
happy to be once again on American
soil, he said. The warmth of his re-
ceptlon made him feel, he said, that
eff this is to continue l believe that
before many days l might wish that
the war had not ended"
Secretary Baker had been generous
in his compliments, General Pershing
said, as to "my part in the war" He
declared, however, that "the victory
was only won by the united effort of
the nation"
The general emphasized the achieve
ments Of his troops, declaring that
the morale Of our men was never for
o moment shaken"
Cali credit is due to those brave
fellows who faced without flinching
and with but little preparation a well
drilled army. 1t is to them, Mr.. Sec
rotary and my friends, to whom we
owe the highest tribute for the WIN
ming of the war;"
Referring tenderly to those who had
fallen in battle, General Pershing
said:
"Those whom we left behind are in
the hands of an affectionate and crate
full people. Their graves will be Wis
tied by Americans who go abroad and
from these graves new lessons of pa
triotism will be learned"
General Pershing at the close of
his remarks, turned to Secretary Bak-
err and requested him to convey tc
President Wilson his sincere thanks
for the confidence that had been dis
played in him as commander of the
American Expeditionary forces. He
also thanked MI. Baker for his con-
fidence and the assistance he had Civ
en- him at all times.