Post and Colonel Barrett at the head of a committee received the
distinguished excursionists. At Curwensville the party became the guests
of A. E. Patton, and the President shook hands with 1,500 residents.
Philipsburg was reached at 3 P.M. The entire population of the town
welcomed the President. The Reception Committee comprised Major H. C.
Warfel, Hon. Chester Munson, J. B. Childs, O. P. Jones, S. S. Crissman,
W. E. Irwin, Dr. T. B. Potter, Capt. J. H. Boring, M. G. Lewis, Henry
Lehman, H. K. Grant, Al. Jones, W. T. Bair, Geo. W. Wythes, A. B. Herd,
John Nuttall, and A. J. Graham. The President and Mrs. Harrison were
driven through the city, which was elaborately decorated.
Returning to the station Mayor Warfel introduced the President, who said:
_Citizens of Philipsburg_--I thank you for this very cordial
expression of your esteem. You must excuse my not addressing you at
any length because of the very limited time at our disposal. I again
thank you.
WESTERN TOUR, OCTOBER, 1890.
On the morning of October 6, 1890, President Harrison left Washington
to attend the reunion of the First Brigade, Twentieth Army Corps,
at Galesburg, Ill., and to visit points in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri,
and Indiana. He was accompanied by Secretary Tracy, Gen. Charles H.
Grosvenor, Private Secretary Halford, Marshal Daniel M. Ransdell, Capt.
Wm. M. Meredith, Gen. T. J. Morgan, and E. F. Tibbott, stenographer.
CLIFTON FORGE, VIRGINIA, OCTOBER 6.
The trip through Virginia was uneventful. At Staunton the President was
serenaded, and among those who met him were ex-Congressman Desendorf, of
Virginia, and David Stewart, of Indianapolis. Clifton Forge was reached
at twilight, and nearly 1,000 residents heartily cheered the President
and called for a speech. In response he said:
_My Friends_--I hope you will excuse me from making a speech. I have
travelled for the first time over the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad,
and I have noticed with great interest and pleasure the development
which is being made along the road of the mineral resources of the
State of Virginia. What I have seen moves me to offer my sincere
congratulations on what you have already accomplished, and what is
surely in store for you if you but make use of your resources and
opportunities. [Cheers.]
LAWRENCEBURG, INDIANA, OCTOBER 7.
At Cincinnati, Tuesday morning, the party was joined by Archibald Eaton,
the President's nephew; Col. W. B. Shattuc, Col. John C. New, and a
committee of escort from Lawrenceburg, comprising Gen. Thomas J. Lucas,
Archibald Shaw, John O. Cravens, John K. Thompson, and Valentine J.
Koehler. Near North Bend, Ohio, the old Harrison homestead was reached,
and the train came to a stop just abreast the house in which Benjamin
Harrison was born, and but a few yards from the white shaft that marks
the tomb of his illustrious ancestor, President William Henry Harrison.
The occasion was not for words, and as the President passed to the rear
platform he was unaccompanied by the rest of the party, who left him to
the memories that the scenes of his childhood and youth called forth.
Arrived at Lawrenceburg the President was visibly affected at meeting
many old friends and neighbors of years ago. Among the leading citizens
who welcomed him were: John Isherwood, Z. Heustes, Peter Braun, Dr. J.
D. Gatch, Frank R. Dorman, D. W. C. Fitch, J. H. Burkham, W. H. Rucker,
Wm. Probasco, Louis Adler, H. G. Kidd, John S. Dorman, John B. Garnier,
A. D. Cook, Chas. Decker, John F. Cook, Dr. T. C. Craig, C. J. B. Ragin,
J. E. Larimer, D. E. Sparks, and Capt. John Shaw; also, M. C. Garber, of
Madison, Robert Cain, of Brookville, and Alfred Shaw, of Vevay, Ind.
The President addressed the large assembly in a voice heavy with
emotion. He said:
_My Friends_--I want to thank you very cordially for this greeting.
All the scenes about here are very familiar to me. This town of
Lawrenceburg is the first village of my childish recollections,
and as I approached it this morning, past the earliest home of my
recollections, the home in which my childhood and early manhood were
spent, memories crowded in upon me that were very full of interest,
very full of pleasure, and yet full of sadness. They bring back to me
those who once made the old home very dear, the most precious spot
on earth. I have passed with bowed head the place where they rest.
We are here in our generation, with the work of those who have gone
before upon us. Let us see, each of us, that in the family, in the
neighborhood, and in the State, we do at least with equal courage,
and grace, and kindness, the work which was so bravely, kindly, and
graciously done by those who filled our places fifty years ago. Now,
for I must hurry on, to these old friends, and to these new friends
who have come in since Lawrenceburg was familiar to me, I extend again
my hearty thanks for this welcome, and beg, in parting, to introduce
the only member of my Cabinet who accompanies me, General Tracy,
Secretary of the Navy.
NORTH VERNON, INDIANA, OCTOBER 7.
At North Vernon, Jennings County, many old acquaintances greeted the
President, among them J. C. Cope, John Fable, P. C. McGannon, and
others. Acknowledging the repeated cheers of the assembly, the President
said:
_My Friends_--I am very glad to see you, and very much obliged to
you for your pleasurable greeting. It is always a pleasure to see my
old Indiana friends. We have had this morning a delightful ride across
the southern part of the State, one that has given me a great deal of
refreshment and pleasure. [Cheers.] Let me again assure you that I am
very much obliged to you for this evidence of your friendship. I hope
you will excuse me from further speech on this occasion. It gives me
pleasure now, my fellow-citizens, to introduce to you General Tracy,
of New York, the Secretary of the Navy, who accompanies me on this
trip. [Cheers.]
SEYMOUR, INDIANA, OCTOBER 7.
At Seymour, Jackson County, 2,000 citizens gave evidence of General
Harrison's popularity in that town. Among the prominent residents who
welcomed him were Hon. W. K. Marshall, Louis Schneck, Travis Carter, Ph.
Wilhelm, W. F. Peters, J. B. Morrison, R. F. White, S. E. Carter, John
A. Ross, John A. Weaver, L. M. Mains, John A. Goodale, Theo. B. Ridlen,
and V. H. Monroe.
After he had introduced Secretary Tracy, the President said:
_My Friends_--I feel that I ought to thank you for your friendly
greeting this beautiful morning. It is a pleasure indeed to me to
greet so many of you. Again I thank you for this welcome. A request
has just been handed me that I speak a few minutes to the school
children here assembled. I scarcely know what to say to them, except
that I have a great interest in them, and the country has a great
interest in them. Those who, like myself, have passed the meridian
of life realize more than younger men that the places we now hold
and the responsibilities we now carry in society and in all social
and business relations must devolve upon those who are now in the
school. Our State has magnificently provided for their education, so
that none of them need be ignorant, and I am sure that in these happy
homes the fathers and mothers are not neglecting their duties, but are
instilling into these young minds morality and respect for the law
which must crown intelligence in order to make them.
SHOALS, INDIANA, OCTOBER 7.
The citizens of Shoals, the county seat of Martin County, gave the
President a most cordial reception. Prominent among those friends who
welcomed him were R. E. Hunt, J. A. Chenoweth, J. P. Albaugh, J. B.
Freeman, J. T. Rogers, M. Shirey, S. P. Yeune, H. Q. Houghton, James
Mahany, C. H. Mohr, S. N. Gwin, F. J. Masten, C. S. Dobbins, and N. H.
Matsinger.
Responding to their cheers and calls the President said:
_My Fellow-citizens_--I am very glad to see you. My trip this
morning is more like a holiday than I have had for a long time. I am
glad to see the cordiality of your welcome. It makes me feel that I am
still held somewhat in the esteem of the people whose friendship I so
very much covet and desire to retain. [Cheers.]
SULLIVAN, INDIANA, OCTOBER 7.
It was an agreeable surprise to the President to find several thousand
people awaiting an opportunity to greet him at the town of Sullivan. Of
prominent townsmen there were present J. H. Clugage, G. W. Buff, Rob't
H. Crowder, John T. Hays, C. P. Lacey, C. F. Briggs, O. H. Crowder, S.
Goodman, R. B. Mason, W. A. Bell, Joseph Hayden, John H. Dickerson, and
R. F. Knotts.
In answer to repeated calls for a speech the President said:
_My Friends_--Some of you have requested that I would give you a
little talk. The range of things that I can say on an occasion like
this is very limited, but one thing, though it seems to involve
repetition, I can say to you very heartily and very sincerely: I am
very glad to again look into the faces of my Indiana friends. I trust
I have friends that are not in Indiana, but my earliest and my best
are here. Again I thank you. [Cheers.]
TERRE HAUTE, INDIANA, OCTOBER 7.
The principal demonstration of the day was at Terre Haute, where fully
10,000 people greeted the President. The following Reception Committee
escorted the party from Vincennes: Hon. W. R. McKeen, H. Hulman, Sr.,
Judge C. F. McNutt, George W. Faris, Samuel Huston, A. Herz, W. C.
Isbell, R. A. Campbell, Dr. Rob't Van Valzah, Jacob D. Early, George
E. Pugh, A. G. Austin, F. E. Benjamin, and B. G. Hudnut. _En route_ to
the speaker's stand every bell and steam whistle in the city added its
tribute to the enthusiasm of the occasion. This unique Hoosier welcome
was arranged by D. C. Greiner. Other leading citizens participating
prominently in the reception were: D. W. Minshall, N. Filbeck, Judge B.
E. Rhoades, S. C. Beach, J. S. Tally, Senator Bischawsky, G. W. Bement,
Jay Cummings, Geo. M. Allen, and P. S. Westfall.
Mayor Frank C. Danaldson made the welcoming address, and concluded by
introducing President Harrison, who said:
_Mr. Mayor, Fellow-citizens of Indiana, Ladies and Gentlemen_--I
very heartily appreciate this large gathering assembled to greet me.
I very heartily appreciate the welcome which your kind and animated
faces, as well as the spoken words of the chief officer of your city,
have extended to me. I have known this pretty city for more than
thirty years, and have watched its progress and growth. It has always
been the home of some of my most cherished personal friends, and I am
glad to know that your city is in an increasing degree prosperous,
and your people contented and happy. I am glad to know that the local
industries which have been established in your midst are to-day busy
in producing their varied products, and that these find a ready market
at remunerative prices. I was told as we approached your city that
there was not an idle wheel in Terre Haute. It is very pleasant to
know that this prosperity is so generally shared by all our people.
Hopefulness, and cheer, and courage tend to bring and maintain good
times.
We differ widely in our views of public politics, but I trust every
one of us is devoted to the flag which represents the unity and
power of our country and to the best interests of the people, as we
are given to see and understand those interests. [Applause.] We are
in the enjoyment of the most perfect system of government that has
ever been devised for the use of men. We are under fewer restraints;
the individual faculties and liberties have wider range here than in
any other land. Here a sky of hope is arched over the head of every
ambitious, industrious, and aspiring young man. There are no social
conditions; there are no unneeded legal restrictions. Let us continue
to cherish these institutions and to maintain them in their best
development. Let us see that as far as our influence can bring it to
pass they are conducted for the general good. [Applause.]
It gives me pleasure to bring into your city to-day one who is the
successor as the head of the Navy Department of that distinguished
citizen of Indiana who is especially revered and loved by all the
people of Terre Haute, but is also embraced in the wider love of all
the citizens of Indiana--Col. Richard W. Thompson. Let me present to
you Gen. Benjamin F. Tracy, of New York, the Secretary of the Navy.
[Cheers.]
DANVILLE, ILLINOIS, OCTOBER 7.
Danville was reached at 6 P.M. The roar of cannon sounded a hearty
welcome to the Prairie State. Fully 10,000 people were assembled around
the pavilion erected near the station. Among the prominent residents who
received the President on the part of the citizens were: Hon. Joseph G.
Cannon, Mayor W. R. Lawrence, Justice J. W. Wilkin, of the Supreme Court
of Illinois, Col. Samuel Stansbury, H. P. Blackburn, W. R. Jewell, M. J.
Barger, W. C. Tuttle, Henry Brand, and Capt. J. G. Hull.
Congressman Cannon introduced the President, who said:
_My Fellow-citizens_--I regret that the time of our arrival and the
brief time we can give you should make it so inconvenient for you
who have assembled here to greet us. Yet, though the darkness shuts
out your faces, I cannot omit to acknowledge with the most heartfelt
gratitude the enthusiastic greeting of this large assembly of my
fellow-citizens. It is quite worth while, I think, for those who are
charged with great public affairs now and then to turn aside from
the routine of official duties to look into the faces of the people.
[Applause.] It is well enough that all public officers should be
reminded that under our republican institutions the repository of
all power, the originator of all policy, is the people of the United
States. [Great applause.] I have had the pleasure of visiting this
rich and prosperous section of your great State before, and am glad
to notice that, if the last year has not yielded an average return to
your farms, already the promise of the coming year is seen in your
well-tilled fields. Let me thank you again and bid you good-night.
[Great applause.]
CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS, OCTOBER 7.
At Urbana, Ill., Secretary Tracy addressed several thousand residents.
At Champaign the citizens were attended by the students of the
University of Illinois, who received the President with their college
cheer. Among the leading citizens who participated in welcoming the
Chief Executive were Dr. L. S. Wilcox, John W. Spalding, F. K. Robinson,
P. W. Woody, H. H. Harris, J. L. Ray, T. J. Smith, H. Swannell, Ozias
Riley, A. P. Cunningham, J. B. Harris, Edward Bailey, Solon Philbrick,
C. J. Sabin, W. S. Maxwell, L. W. Faulkner, J. W. Mulliken, Judge C.
B. Smith, W. P. Lockwood, W. A. Heath, Geo. F. Beardsley, Hon. Abel
Harwood, W. H. Munhall, A. W. Spalding, and C. M. Sherfey.
President Harrison said:
_My Good Friends_--It is very evident that there is a large
representation here of the Greek societies. [Cheers.] I thank you
for this greeting. We are on our way to Galesburg to unite with
my old comrades in arms of the First Brigade, Third Division,
Twentieth Army Corps, in a reunion. I had not expected here, or at
any other intermediate point on the journey, to make addresses, but
I cannot fail to thank these young gentlemen from the University of
Illinois for the interest their presence gives to this meeting. Your
professors, no doubt, give you all needed admonition and advice,
and you will, I am sure, thank me for not adding to your burdens.
Good-night. [Cheers.]
PEORIA, ILLINOIS, OCTOBER 8.
The third day of the President's journey found him in Peoria, where
he was warmly welcomed by Mayor Charles C. Clarke at the head of the
following committee of prominent citizens: Alexander G. Tyng, Jr.,
President Board of Trade; John D. Soules, President Travelling Men's
Association; editor Eugene Baldwin, and Hon. Julius S. Starr. Miss Elsie
Leslie Lyde, the child actress, on behalf of the citizens and the Grand
Army, presented the President with a beautiful bouquet, which the Chief
Magistrate acknowledged by kissing the little orator in the presence of
the great assemblage.
Mayor Clarke introduced the President, who spoke as follows:
_My Fellow-citizens_--It is not possible that I should introduce
this morning any serious theme. I have greatly enjoyed this trip
through my own State and yours, sisters in loyalty and sacrifice for
the Union, sisters also in prosperity and honor. I find myself simply
saying thank you, but with an increasing sense of the kindness of the
people. If anything could add to the solemn sense of responsibility
which my official oath places upon me, it would be these evidences
of friendliness and confidence. The great mass of the people of this
country are loyal, loving, dutiful citizens, ready to support every
faithful officer in the discharge of his duties and to applaud every
honest effort for their good. It is a source of great strength to know
this, and this morning, not less from this bright sunshine and this
crisp Illinois air than from these kindly faces, I draw an inspiration
to do what I can, the very best I can, to promote the good of the
people of the United States. I go to-day to meet with some comrades
of your State who stood with me in the army of the great Union for
the defence of the flag. I beg now to thank these comrades of Peoria
and this company of National Guards and all these friends, and you,
Mr. Mayor and gentlemen of the Reception Committee, for this kindly
greeting, and to say that I have great satisfaction in knowing the
people of this community are very prosperous. May that prosperity
increase until every citizen, even the humblest, shares it. May peace,
social order, and the blessing of God abide in every house is my
parting wish for you. [Cheers.]
GALESBURG, ILLINOIS, OCTOBER 8.
_The Public Reception._
During the trip from Peoria the President and Secretary Tracy rode a
goodly portion of the distance on the locomotive with Engineer Frank
Hilton, a veteran who served in the President's old command. Galesburg,
the principal objective point of the journey, was reached at noon on
October 8, where 10,000 patriotic citizens greeted their arrival. Mayor
Loren Stevens, at the head of the following committee, received and
welcomed the President: Forrest F. Cooke, President of the Day, Judge
A. A. Smith, Hon. H. M. Sisson, Hon. O. F. Price, Maj. H. H. Clay, Z.
Beatty, Henry Emerich, James M. Ayres, Francis A. Free, Gersh Martin, F.
C. Rice, C. D. Hendryx, Gen. F. C. Smith, John Bassett, R. W. Sweeney,
Sam'l D. Harsh, Colonel Phelps, Hon. Philip S. Post, Rev. John Hood,
Rev. G. J. Luckey, H. A. Drake, Matthias O'Brien, K. Johnson, C. P.
Curtis, H. C. Miles, Capt. E. O. Atchinson, and Mr. Weeks. Fully 2,000
veterans participated in the parade; also the local militia, commanded
by Captain Elder and Lieutenants Ridgley and Tompkins; Company D,
Fifth Regiment, from Quincy, Capt. F. B. Nichols, Lieutenants Treet
and Whipple; Company H, Sixth Regiment, Monmouth, Capt. D. E. Clarke,
Lieutenants Shields and Turnbull; Company I, Sixth Regiment, Morrison,
Capt. W. F. Colebaugh, Lieutenants Griffin and Baker.
Arriving at the Court-House Park, Mayor Stevens delivered the address of
welcome. President Harrison responded as follows:
_Mr. Mayor and Fellow-citizens_--The magnitude of this vast
assemblage to-day fills me with surprise and with consternation as I
am called to make this speech to you. I came here to meet with the
survivors of my old brigade. I came here with the expectation that the
day would chiefly be spent in their companionship and in the exchange
of those cordial greetings which express the fondness and love which
we bear to each other; but to my surprise I have found that here
to-day the First Brigade, for the first time in its history, has been
captured. One or two of them I have been able to take by the hand, a
few more of them I have seen as they marched by the reviewing stand,
but they seemed to have been swallowed up in this vast concourse of
their associate comrades and their fellow-citizens of Illinois. I hope
there may yet be a time during the day when I shall be able to take
each by the hand, and to assure them that in the years of separation
since muster-out day I have borne them all sacredly in my affectionate
remembrance. They were a body of representative soldiers, coming from
these great central States of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, and as the
borders of those States touch in friendly exchange, so the elbows of
these great heroes and patriots touched in the great struggle for the
Union. Who shall say who was chiefest? Who shall assign honors where
all were brave? The distinction that Illinois may claim in connection
with this organization is that, given equal courage, fidelity, and
loyalty to every man, Illinois furnished three-fifths of the brigade.
But possibly I should withhold here those suggestions which come to
me, and which will be more appropriate when I meet them in a separate
organization.
I have been greatly impressed with this assemblage to-day in this
beautiful city, in this rich and prosperous State. The thought had
occurred to me, and the more I thought of it the more sure I was
of the conclusion, that nowhere on the face of the earth except in
the United States of America, under no flag that kisses any breeze,
could such an assemblage as this have been gathered. Who are these?
Look into these faces; see the evidences of contentment, thrift,
prosperity, and intelligence that we read in all these faces. They
have come by general summons from all these homes, of village,
city, and farm, and here they are to-day the strength and rock of
our security as a Nation; the people who furnished an invincible
army when its flag was in danger; the people upon whose enlightened
consciences and God-fearing hearts this country may rest with
unguarded hope. Where is the ultimate distribution of governmental
powers? How can all the efforts of President, cabinet and judges,
and armies, even, serve to maintain this country, to continue it in
its great career of prosperity, if there were lacking this great
law-abiding, liberty-loving people by whom they are chosen to these
important offices? It is the great thought of our country that men
shall be governed as little as possible, but full liberty shall be
given to individual effort, and that the restraints of law shall be
reserved for the turbulent and disorderly. What is it that makes our
communities peaceful? What is it that makes these farm-houses safe?
It is not the policemen. It is not the soldiers. It is this great and
all-pervading American sentiment that exalts the law, that stands with
threatening warning to the law-breaker, and, above all, that pervading
thought that gives to every man what is his and claims only what is
our own. The war was only fought that the law might not lose its
sanction and its sanctity. If we had suffered that loss, dismemberment
would have been a lesser one. But we taught those who resisted law and
taught the world that the great sentiment of loyalty to our written
laws was so strong in this country that no associations, combinations,
or conspiracies could overturn it. Our Government will not fail to go
on in this increased career of development, in population, in wealth,
in intelligence, in morality, so long as we hold up everywhere in the
local communities and in the Nation this great thought that every man
shall keep the law which secures him in his own rights, and shall not
trample upon the rights of another. Let us divide upon tariff and
finance, but let there never be a division among the American people
upon this question, that nowhere shall the law be overturned in the
interests of anybody. If it fails of beneficent purpose, which should
be the object of all law, then let us modify it, but while it is a
law let us insist that it shall be obeyed. When we turn from that
and allow any other standard of living to be set up, where is your
security, where is mine, when some one else makes convenience more
sacred, more powerful than the law of the land?