and friendly spirit in which they have been offered these words of
welcome spoken on behalf of the good people of the great State of
Iowa. It gives me pleasure in this hasty journey to pause for a
little time in the city of Ottumwa. I have had especial pleasure in
looking upon this structure and the exhibits which it contains. It is
itself a proof of the enterprise, skill, and artistic taste of the
people of this city of which they may justly be very proud. I look
about it and see that its adornment has been wrought with materials
that are familiar and common, and that these have assumed, under the
deft fingers and artistic thoughts of your people, shapes of beauty
that are marvellously attractive. If I should attempt to interpret
the lesson of this structure, I should say it was an illustration of
how much that is artistic and graceful is to be found in the common
things of life; and if I should make an application of the lesson, it
would be to suggest that we might profitably carry into all our homes
and into all neighborly intercourse the same transforming spirit.
The common things of this life, touched by a loving spirit, may be
made to glow and glisten. The common intercourse of life, touched by
friendliness and love, may be made to fill every home and neighborhood
with a brightness that jewels cannot shed. And it is pleasant to think
that in our American home-life we have reached this ideal in a degree
unexcelled elsewhere.
I believe that in the American home, whether in the city or on
the farm, the American father and the American mother, in their
relations to the children, are kinder, more helpful, and benignant
than any others. [Cries of "Good! Good!" and cheers.] In these homes
is the strength of our institutions. Let these be corrupted and
the Government itself has lost the stone of strength upon which it
securely rests.
(Here, by some accident of arrangement, the water of an artificial
waterfall immediately behind the President was turned on, and the rush
and roar of the water drowned his voice almost completely.)
I have contended with a brass band while attempting to address a
popular audience, but I have never before been asked to speak in the
rush and roar of Niagara. [Laughter and cheers.] I think if I were to
leave it to this audience whether they would rather see that beautiful
display and hear the rippling of these waters [pointing] than to hear
me, they would vote for the waterfall. [Cries of "No, no!" and "Shut
off the water!"]
(At this point the management succeeded in finally turning off the water
so that the deafening noise ceased.)
I had supposed that there were limitations upon the freedom of this
meeting this afternoon, both as to the Governor and myself, and that
no political suggestion of any sort was to be introduced into this
friendly concourse of American citizens; and I think both of us have
good cause for grievances against the prohibitionists for interrupting
us with this argument for cold water. [Great laughter and applause.]
It is quite difficult, called upon as I am every day, and
sometimes three or four times a day, to make short addresses with
the limitations that are upon me as to the subjects upon which I may
speak, to know what to say when I meet my fellow-citizens. I was
glad to hear the Governor say that Iowa is prosperous. We have here
a witness that it is so. It offers also, I think, a solution of the
origin of that prosperity, and suggests how it may be increased and
developed. We have in this structure a display of all the products of
the farm, and side by side with it a display of the mechanic arts. I
think in this combination, in this diversity of interest and pursuit,
in this mutual and helpful relation between the toilers of the soil
and the workers in our shops, each contributing to the commonwealth
and each giving to the other that which he needs, we have that which
has brought about the prosperity you now enjoy, and which is to
increase under the labors of your children to a degree that we have
not realized. The progress in the mechanical arts that men not older
than I have witnessed, the application of new agencies to the use of
men within the years of my own notice and recollection, read like a
fairy tale. Let us not think that we have reached the limits of this
development. There are yet uses of the agencies already known to be
developed and applied. There are yet agencies perhaps in the great
storehouse of nature that have not been harnessed for the use of
man. The telegraph, the telephone, and the phonograph have all come
within the memory of many who stand about me to-day. The application
of steam to ocean travel is within the memory of many here. The
development of our railroad system has all come within your memory
and mine. The railroad was but a feeble agency in commerce when
my early recollection begins; and now this great State is covered
with railroads like a network. Every farm is within easy reach of a
shipping station, and every man can speak to his neighbor any day of
the week, though that neighbor live on the opposite side of the globe.
Out of all this what is yet to come? Who can tell? You are favored
here in having not only a surface soil that yields richly to the labor
of the farmer, but in also having hidden beneath that surface rich
mines of coal which are to be converted into power to propel the mills
that will supply the wants of your people.
Now, my friends, thanking you for the kindness with which you have
listened to me, expressing again my appreciation of the taste and
beauty of this great structure in which we stand, and wishing for Iowa
and all its citizens the largest increase of prosperity in material
wealth, the most secure social order in all their communities, and the
crowning blessing of home happiness, I bid you good-by. [Prolonged
cheering.]
ST. JOSEPH, MISSOURI, OCTOBER 10.
The first reception in the State of Missouri took place at St. Joseph
at 6:30 the morning of October 10. Many thousands greeted the President
at the Union Depot. Conspicuous in the assemblage were the veterans of
Custer Post, G. A. R., who escorted the party to the neighboring hotel.
The Committee of Reception consisted of Col. A. C. Dawes, Chairman;
Mayor Wm. Shepard, Hon. John L. Bittinger, Capt Chas. F. Ernst, Capt. F.
M. Posegate, Col. N. P. Ogden, August Nunning, Wm. M. Wyeth, Major T. J.
Chew, Hon. Geo. J. Englehart, Hon. O. M. Spencer, Dr. J. D. Smith, James
McCord, ex-Gov. Silas Woodson, John M. Frazier, Frank M. Atkinson, Rev.
H. L. Foote, and Major Joseph Hansen.
Colonel Dawes made a brief welcoming address and presented the
President, who spoke as follows:
_My Fellow-citizens_--If you are glad to see me at this hour in the
morning, if you are so kind and demonstrative before breakfast, how
great would have been your welcome if I had come a little later in the
day? [Applause.]
I beg to thank you, who at an inconvenient and early hour, have
turned out to speak these words of welcome to us as we pass through
your beautiful city. Many years ago I read of St. Joseph. I know
something of its history, when, instead of being a large city, it was
a place for outfitting those slow and toilsome trains that bore the
early pioneers toward California and the far West. Those days are not
to be forgotten. Those means of communication were slow, but they
bore men and women, full of courage and patriotism, to do for us on
the Pacific and in the great West the work of peaceful conquest that
has added greatly to the glory and prosperity of our country. And yet
we congratulate ourselves that the swifter means of communication
have taken the place of the old; we congratulate ourselves that these
conveniences, both of business and social life, have come to crown
our day. And yet in the midst of them, enjoying the luxuries which
modern civilization brings to our doors, let us not lose from our
households those plain and sturdy virtues which are essential to
true American citizenship; let us remember always that above all
surroundings, above all that is external, there is to be prized those
solid and essential virtues that make home happy and that make our
country great, and that enable us in every time of trial and necessity
to call out from among the people some who are fit to lead our armies
or to meet every emergency in the history of the State. We are here
as American citizens, not as partisans; we are here as comrades of
the late war, or, if there are here those who under the other banner
fought for what seemed to them to be right, we are here to say one
and all that God knew what was best for this country when he cast
the issue in favor of the Union and the Constitution. [Applause and
cheers.]
Now, again united under its ample guarantee of personal liberty and
public security, united again under one flag, we have started forward,
if we are true to our obligations, upon a career of prosperity that
would not otherwise have been possible. Let us therefore, in all
kindliness and faithfulness, in devotion to the right, as God shall
give us light to see it, go forward in the discharge of our duties,
setting above everything else the flag and the Constitution on which
all our rights and securities are based. Now, my comrades of the Grand
Army of the Republic and fellow-citizens of Missouri, again I thank
you and bid you good-by. [Cheers.]
ATCHISON, KANSAS, OCTOBER 10.
Entering Kansas the President was the recipient of a unique welcome at
Atchison, where 1,000 school children and several thousand citizens
greeted him. Little Edna Elizabeth Downs was the orator on behalf of the
children, and delivered a beautiful address, at the conclusion of which
the children showered the President with flowers.
The Mayor of Atchison, Hon. B. P. Waggener, and the following prominent
citizens welcomed the Chief Executive: Hon. John J. Ingalls, Hon.
Edward K. Blair, Hon. Clem Rohr, Hon. S. C. King, Hon. S. H. Kelsey,
Hon. John C. Tomlinson, Hon. A. J. Harwi, Hon. Henry Elleston, Hon. S.
R. Stevenson, Hon. C. W. Benning, Judge Rob't M. Eaton, ex-Gov. Geo.
W. Glick, Hon. H. C. Solomon, Judge A. G. Otis, Judge David Martin, L.
C. Challiss, E. W. Howe, David Auld, B. T. Davis, Chas. E. Faulkner,
Major W. H. Haskell, Major S. R. Washer, Capt. J. K. Fisher, Capt. David
Baker, Capt. John Seaton, Stanton Park, T. B. Gerow, and H. Claypark.
Chief-Justice Albert H. Horton made the welcoming address and introduced
President Harrison, who said:
_My Fellow-citizens_--I stand to-day for the first time upon the
soil of Kansas. I am glad to have been permitted to enter it by the
vestibule of this attractive city, the home of one of your most
brilliant statesmen. I cannot refrain from saying, God be thanked
that freedom won its early battle in Kansas. [Applause.] All this
would have been otherwise impossible. You have a soil christened with
the blood of men who died for liberty, and you have well maintained
the lessons they taught, living and dying. It was appropriate that
the survivors of the late war, men who came home crowned with the
consummating victory of liberty, should make the State of Kansas
pre-eminently the soldier State of the Union. Now, after telling you
that I am very grateful for your friendly greeting this morning, you
will, I am sure, excuse me, in this tumult, from attempting further
speech. May every good attend you in your homes; may the career of
this great State be one of unceasing prosperity in things material,
and may your citizenship never forget that the spiritual things that
take hold of liberty and human rights are higher and better than all
material things. [Prolonged cheering.] Allow me now to present to you
the only member of my Cabinet who accompanied me, General Tracy, of
New York, the Secretary of the Navy.
TOPEKA, KANSAS, OCTOBER 10.
The President's reception at Topeka on Friday, October 10, was a
remarkable ovation; over 50,000 people from every county in the State
greeted him. The famous Seventh U. S. Cavalry, Gen. J. W. Forsythe
commanding, acted as the guard of honor. The President was welcomed by
Gov. Lyman U. Humphrey, Senator John J. Ingalls, Chief-Justice Albert
H. Horton, Mayor Robert L. Cofran, and the following distinguished
committee: Ex-Gov. Thomas A. Osborn, ex-Gov. Geo. T. Anthony, Capt.
Geo. R. Peck, Col. James Burgess, Hon. S. B. Bradford, Judge N. C.
McFarland, Judge John Martin, A. J. Arnold, John Guthrie, Wm. P.
Douthitt, John Mileham, William Sims, Cyrus K. Holliday, Perry G.
Noel, S. T. Howe, Bernard Kelly, J. Lee Knight, N. D. McGinley, Wm. H.
Rossington, Rev. Dr. F. S. McCabe, Geo. W. Reed, Elihu Holcomb, Lark
Odin, L. J. Webb, Milo B. Ward, J. K. Hudson, F. P. McLennan, H. O.
Garvey, Frank Root, John M. Bloss, John F. Gwinn, A. M. Fuller, J. W. F.
Hughes, John R. Peckham, James L. King, Henry Bennett, Geo. H. Evans,
M. C. Holman, John C. Gordon, H. P. Throop, Joseph R. Hankland, T. W.
Durham, Judge C. G. Foster, A. K. Rodgers, A. B. Jetmore, and Thomas F.
Oenes.
The parade was an imposing affair. Thirty thousand veterans were in
line. The Indiana contingent numbered over 1,000, and as they passed
the reviewing carriage, led by Major George Noble, cheer after cheer
was given in honor of the distinguished Hoosier. Nearly 6,000 school
children participated in the parade. In the afternoon the President
visited the reunion grounds with Commander Ira F. Collins and other
officers of the Kansas Department, G. A. R. Governor Humphrey delivered
the welcoming address.
The President responded as follows:
_My Fellow-citizens_--I am strongly tempted to omit even an attempt
to speak to you to-day; I think it would be better that I should go
home and write you an open letter. [Great laughter and cheering.] I
have been most profoundly impressed with the incidents which have
attended this tremendous and, I am told, unprecedented gathering
of the soldiers and citizens of the great State of Kansas. No one
can interpret in speech the lessons of this occasion. No power of
description is adequate to convey to those who have not looked upon
it or into the spirit and power of this meeting. This assembly is
altogether too large to be greeted individually--one cannot get his
arms around it. [Laughter and cheers.] And yet so kindly have you
received me that I would be glad if to each of you I could convey the
sense of gratitude and appreciation which is in my heart. There is
nothing for any of us to do but to open wide our hearts and let these
elevating suggestions take possession of them. I am sure there has
been nothing here to-day that does not point in the direction of a
higher individual, social, State and national life. Who can look upon
this vast array of soldiers who fought to a victorious consummation
the war for the Union without bowing his head and his heart in
grateful reverence? [Great applause.] Who can look upon these sons of
veterans, springing from a patriotic ancestry, full of the spirit of
'61, and coming into the vigor and strength of manhood to take up the
burdens that we must soon lay down, and who, turning from these to the
sweet-faced children whose hands are filled with flowers and flags,
can fail to feel those institutions of liberty are secure for two
generations at least? [Great cheering.] I never knew until to-day the
extent of the injury which the State of Kansas had inflicted upon the
State of Indiana [laughter and cheers]--never until I had looked upon
that long line of Indiana soldiers that you plucked from us when the
war was over by the superior inducement which your fields and cities
offered to their ambitious toil. Indiana grieves for their loss, but
rejoices in the homes and prosperity they have found here. [Cheers.]
They are our proud contribution to the great development which this
State has made. They are our proud contribution to that great national
reputation which your State has established as the friend as well as
one of the bulwarks of liberty and law. [Cheers.] It was not unnatural
that they, coming back from scenes where comrades had shed their blood
for liberty, should choose to find homes in a State that had the
baptism of martyrs' blood upon its infant brow. [Prolonged cheering.]
The future is safe if we are but true to ourselves, true to these
children whose instruction is committed to us. There is no other foe
that can at all obstruct or hinder our onward progress except treason
in our own midst--treachery to the great fundamental principle of our
Government, which is obedience to the law. The law, the will of the
majority expressed in orderly, constitutional methods, is the only
king to which we bow. But to him all must bow. Let it be understood
in all your communities that no selfish interest of the individual,
no class interests, however entrenched, shall be permitted to assert
their convenience against the law. This is good American doctrine,
and if it can be made to prevail in all the States of the Union until
every man, secure under the law in his own right, is compelled by the
law to yield to every other man his rights, nothing can shake our
repose. [Cheers.]
Now, fellow-citizens, you will excuse me from the attempt at further
speech. I beg you again to believe that I am grateful, so far as
your presence here has any personal reference to myself--grateful as
a public officer for this evidence of your love and affection for the
Constitution and the country which we all love. [Great applause.]
There is some grumbling in Kansas, and I think it is because your
advantages are too great. [Laughter.] A single year of disappointment
in agricultural returns should not make you despair of the future or
tempt you to unsafe expedients. Life is made up of averages, and I
think yours will show a good average. Let us look forward with hope,
with courage, fidelity, thrift, patience, good neighborly hearts, and
a patriotic love for the flag. Kansas and her people have an assured
and happy future. [Prolonged cheers.]
NORTONVILLE, KANSAS, OCTOBER 10.
At Nortonville the citizens, and especially the school children, turned
out _en masse_ and gave the President the heartiest of welcomes. Among
the prominent residents who participated in the greeting were Hon. A. J.
Perry, S. P. Griffin, Thomas Eckles, C. C. McCarthy, Dr. D. T. Brown, L.
P. King, D. A. Ellsworth, O. U. Babcock, Dr. R. D. Webb, J. G. Roberts,
W. T. Eckles, Harry Ellison, Rev. T. Hood, and M. Crowberger. On behalf
of the school children a little girl climbed the steps and presented the
Chief Magistrate with an armful of beautiful bouquets, for which she
received a hearty kiss.
Governor Humphrey introduced the President, who spoke as follows:
_My Fellow-citizens_--This brief stop forbids that I should say
anything more than thank you and to extend to you all my most
friendly greeting. The sky is overcast, but in this assemblage of
your school children, with flags and flowers, and in this gathering
of the sturdy men who have made Kansas great among States, there are
suggestions that spread a sky of beauty and hope above our country
and its destiny. It gives me great pleasure to make this first visit
to Kansas. It gives me great pleasure to see both at Atchison and
here the interest which the presence of these children shows you
take in public education. There are many here who in their early
days experienced the hardships and privations of pioneer life. The
avenues of learning were shut against them, but it is much to their
credit that what they lacked in early life, the impediments which have
burdened their careers, they have bravely resolved shall not burden
their children. I thank you again for this pleasant reception, and I
bid you good-by, as we proceed on our journey.
VALLEY FALLS, KANSAS, OCTOBER 10.
At Valley Falls, Kan., another large crowd was assembled. The President
was welcomed by Mayor A. D. Kendall, Dr. A. M. Cowan, R. H. Crosby, M.
M. Maxwell, Dr. Frank Swallow, Mrs. J. H. Murry, Miss L. M. Ring, and
other prominent residents. Mrs. Dr. Cowan, on behalf of the ladies,
presented General Harrison with a basket of flowers.
In response to the enthusiastic greetings the President said:
_My Friends_--I thank you sincerely for this cordial reception. I
will not attempt any speech further than to say that this greeting
puts me, if possible, under still stronger obligations in every
official duty that devolves upon me to consult the interests of the
people and do that which seems to be most promotive of public good.
[Cheers.]
LAWRENCE, KANSAS, OCTOBER 10.
The historic city of Lawrence was reached at 4:40 o'clock, where the
cheers of an immense multitude, including a battalion from Haskell
Institute, welcomed the President. The Reception Committee consisted of
Mayor A. Henley, George Innis, W. H. Whitney, Gov. Chas. Robinson, Gen.
J. N. Roberts, and E. F. Goodrich. The veterans of Washington Post, G.
A. R., Gen. H. S. Hall, Commander, were present in a body.
Mayor Henley, in the name of the city, welcomed the President, who,
responding, said:
_My Friends_--I am sure you are kind, and the greatest kindness you
can do me is not to ask me to attempt to speak again so recently after
attempting at Topeka to talk to all the rest of the people in Kansas
[laughter] who are not here. I supposed until the train pulled into
this city that the entire citizenship of the State was in the immense
crowd congregated at Topeka to-day. My voice was so strained in
attempting to speak there that I will only say to you that it gives me
great pleasure to see you and to speak to you, even for a moment, at
this hospitable town. All the inspiration connected with the story of
the early history of Kansas clusters around the city of Lawrence. I am
sure you will find in that story inspiration and suggestion that will
keep the cause of liberty ever near to your hearts. [Great applause.]
KANSAS CITY, OCTOBER 10.
The presidential party reached Kansas City at 5:30 P.M. Friday, where
a grand reception was tendered the Chief Executive. The Committee
of Reception, representing the municipality and business interests,
comprised the following prominent citizens, who escorted the President
from Topeka: Mayor Benjamin Holmes, Witten McDonald, J. C. James, Joseph
Speyer, Judge C. L. Dobson, Col. M. J. Payne, W. S. Woods, Hon. E. H.
Allen, F. L. Kaufman, M. E. Lawrence, Joseph Cahn, Col. T. B. Bullene,
Col. E. H. Phelps, Col. J. F. Richards, George R. Barse, Major William
Warner, William Taylor, Col. Louis Hammerslough, E. C. Sattley, J. H.
Fink, Col. W. A. Wilson, Marshal Tracy, F. B. Nofsinger, Collector
Devol, Surveyor Guffin, Dr. F. W. Schulte, W. T. Urie, G. S. Hampton, J.
H. Smith, M. D. Henderson, H. J. Rosecrans, R. M. Easley, H. C. Fike,
B. S. Flersheim, Wm. Barton, H. J. Long, E. M. Clendening, T. James,
James M. Coburn, L. E. Irwin, C. L. Valandingham, G. W. Hollinger, E. E.
Richardson, E. M. Wilcox, J. M. Cooper, W. H. Bundage, M. H. Dickerson,
C. A. Brockett, S. A. Pierce, J. H. Neff, S. R. Hudson, A. H. Moffitt,
S. B. Stokely, P. L. Whipple, J. W. Merrill, D. G. Saunders, F. W.
Hatch, G. Bernheimer, B. C. Burgess, S. T. Smith, and J. L. Walker.
An enormous crowd greeted the President as he was driven to the Coates
House, where the distinguished party were entertained at dinner by Mayor
Holmes, ex-Governor Crittenden, Mayor W. A. Coy, of Kansas City, Kan.;
Gov. A. J. Smith, of the Soldiers' Home at Leavenworth; Hon. John Scott
Harrison--the President's brother--and other leading citizens.
In response to a toast to the President's health, General Harrison said:
_Gentlemen_--I am sorry to cause even this temporary interruption by
leaving the banquet, but I am sure you will all appreciate the desire
I have to spend a few minutes under my brother's roof in your city,
and will therefore excuse me. Let me say that I very much appreciate
the friendly and hospitable spirit of the business men of Kansas
City, to whom I am indebted for this banquet and reception. It has
never been my pleasure before to visit your city, but it has been
well advertised, and I have heard of it frequently. [Laughter and
applause.] So far as I could tell by the dim light of the evening in
riding through the city, it realizes fully my expectations in growth
and prosperity. [Applause.] Let me say, in conclusion, that I hope all
your dreams for Kansas City may be realized. [Great applause.]
After passing the evening at his brother's residence, at 8 P.M. the
President was escorted by 300 members of the Third Regiment and a
cavalry guard, commanded by Col. Milton Moore, to the Chamber of
Commerce, where an informal reception was held.
Major William Warner introduced the President, who said:
_My Fellow citizens_--I will not attempt to say more than that I
am very grateful to you for your kindness, for this cordial, genuine
Kansas City welcome. [Cheers.] The arrangements which have been made,
and which are intended to give me an opportunity to meet some of you
personally, and the early hour at which we are to take the train for
St. Louis, make it inappropriate that I should attempt to speak at
any length. I thank you again for your kindness, and will now submit
myself to such arrangements as the committee have made to spend the
little time I have to spend with you. [Cheers.]
ST. LOUIS, OCTOBER 11.