The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-09-18

Washington, sept. 1S.-Standing in
the chamber Of the house OF repre-
sentatives with the full membership
of the senate and house about him
and with galleries crowded with ad-
mirers. Gen. John J. Pershing received
today the formal thanks of congress
for the services he and the officers
and men he commanded in France
rendered during the great war
To few Americans has It fallen to
be thus honored; to few soldiers of
any nation has been given TO hear
leaders chosen Of the people speak
such high praises Of their services for
that people as General Pershing heard
today. There was an air of solemnity
about the scene more eloquent than
words could tell its full meaning. SEN
ate and house assembled in their re-
spective chambers. Then the senators
marched in pairs thru the old cor
Tidors of the capitol to seats on the
front benches of the house. Senator
Cummins. as president pro tempore of
the senate, sat with Speaker Giilett
and when General Pershing had been
escorted to the floor before the
speakers desk, facing a great Ameri-
can flag draped on the wall, it was
Senator Cummins who extended the
first greeting
Greeting and Praise.
General Pershing," he said, at is
my high privilege to extend TO you
the sincere and cordial greeting Of the
senate of the United States. The mes
sage l have the honor to bear is not
greeting alone, but an earnest well
come and hearty congratulation upon
your safe and victorious return to
your native land. Nor, is il a welcome
only, for It is full of deep appreciation
OF the tremendous task you have so
wonderfully and worthily accom-
plished. You were called upon to as
sumo the immeasurable responsibility
of commanding the greatest body of
soldiers who ever marched under the
American flag, and you led this
superb, invincible host Of our bright
est. best and bravest bows to the yerv
summit Of military fame and national
glory. While our tears are flowing
and our hearts are breaking, as we
Sulemnly remember the tens of thou
sands who sailed away with spirit so
resolute and courage so perfect and
who will return never more until God
calls us all on his Judgment day, we
receive with unbounded joy and un-
dying gratitude those who have passed
unharmed thru the perils of the cruel
est war in the history of the world.
Your entrance into France. fol-
lowed by an army which exceeded in
HuihbtlH anu surpassed In daring the
most enthusiastic prOphesies. was the
most impressive spectacle in all the
annals of warfare. for America has
tened to the aid of that stricken but
defiant country in way and to a de-
gree never before witnessed and which
has no parallel in the record of ma
tions Of this or any other age"
Protection From Friends.
Speaker Gillett followed:
when one of the marshals of Iouis
XIV" he said. came to take farewell
OF his sovereign before leaving for a
campaign the friendly monarch said
to him: Go and fight my battles and
l will protect you against your enc
mics at home;' to which the blunt SOL
dier replied: Sire. I would prefer
that you should protect me from my
friends. / can protect myself against
my enemies And l wonder il our
distinguished guest, under the con-
slant fire OF receptions and reviews
and compliments TO which he is ex-
posed will not feel like praying fol-
protection against his friends. Ger
tainly he needs none against his enc
mics. for in this country he has none
Human nature loves to personify
its ideals. II loves a hero and hero
worship. And so we all rejoice to see
personified in the commanding gen.
eral the gallantry, the high purposes
the unconquerable determination OF
our crusading army. Those boys were
our bravest and best. For those who
fell we render fearful homage. For
those who return MANNED and Grip
pied we owe tender care and support
But for the great army which has
come back. disciplined in body and ir
character. having bravely offered the
supremest sacrifice. for them I have
indeed gratitude and admiration. but
Contlued on Page Five.J