Part 27

_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.

The President arrived in St. Louis at 9:30 in the morning and received a royal welcome. As he drove through the city amid the roar of cannon, it is estimated that fully 200,000 people greeted him, and his journey partook of a triumph. The committee of escort that met the President at Kansas City consisted of ex-Gov. E. O. Stanard, Col. S. W. Fordyce, Hon. R. C. Kerens, and Marcus Bernheimer. The guard of honor was a detail from the Grand Army, commanded by Major Leo Rassieur.

The President was met on arrival by the following distinguished Committee of Reception: His Honor, Mayor Noonan, D. M. Houser, Geo. D. Reynolds, R. M. Scruggs, Nelson Cole, Col. James G. Butler, Col. J. O. Churchill, Daniel Catlin, Wm. M. Senter, John Orrick, John S. Moffett, S. Newman, D. P. Rowland, John J. Daly, A. B. Ewing, Miles Sells, John Dillon, Professor Waterhouse, Frank Buchanan, John B. Harlow, Marquand Foster, Philip Brockman, Wm. Grassmuck, Chas. Scudder, John J. O'Brien, T. J. Cummings, John H. Terry, J. S. Finkenbauer, C. J. Hanabrinck, L. Bohle, O. M. Dean, John M. Sellers, James Green, Dr. Thomas O'Reilly, Samuel Kennard, O. M. Haye, John A. Scudder, H. L. Morrill, S. H. H. Clark, John Scullen, C. C. Maffitt, Joseph Franklin, Hon. F. G. Niedringhaus, Hon. Nathan Frank, W. M. Kinsey, E. S. Rowse, Geo. D. Barnard, J. L. Boland, D. H. King, C. P. Walbridge, B. F. Harnett, Geo. Taylor, R. P. Tansey, A. S. White, F. A. Wann, M. M. Bodenheimer, W. A. Hargadine, George A. Baker, John N. Booth, Geo. W. Parker, J. D. Thompson, George A. Medill, E. C. Simmons, Edwin C. Kehr, G. A. Finkelnburg, Marcus Bernheimer, L. Beavis, Charles F. Joy, Henry Hitchcock, Wm. H. Thompson, W. F. Niedringhaus, Charles Espenschied, A. B. Goodbaugh, Jonathan Rice, Jacob Meyer, Goodman King, D. C. Nugent, John Davis, J. D. Bascom, R. W. Shapleigh, Edgar D. Tilton, John C. Wilkinson, D. D. Walker, Frederick Vaughn, E. F. Williams, J. H. Wear, C. D. Comfort, C. C. Rainwater, F. W. Humphrey, Michael McGinnis, John Wahl, W. L. Hughes, and Thomas H. West.

After reviewing the parade from the balcony of the Southern Hotel the President and Secretary Tracy visited the Merchants' Exchange and were tendered a reception by the business men of the city. Mr. Marcus Bernheimer, President of the Exchange, occupied the presiding chair and introduced Gov. D. R. Francis, who, in an eloquent address, welcomed the President in the name of the people of Missouri. The Governor was followed by Hon. Edward A. Noonan, Mayor of St. Louis, who extended a "sincere and hearty greeting," on behalf of the residents of the city.

Hon. Charles Parsons then introduced the President, who addressed the assemblage as follows:

_Governor Francis, Mr. Mayor, and Fellow-citizens_--It is very grateful and very healthful to be so cordially received by you this morning. The office which I have been called upon to administer is very great in dignity, but it is very full of care and heavy responsibility. The man who with conscientious regard and a proper appreciation of the great trust seeks to administer it for the public good will find himself daily beset with perplexities and doubts, and daily besieged by those who differ with him as to the public administration. But it is a great comfort to know that we have an intelligent, thoughtful, and, at the same time, a very kind people, who judge benevolently and kindly the acts of those public servants of whose good disposition to do right they are not left in doubt. And it is very pleasant to know--and I do not need these eloquent words of assurance to have already impressed upon me--the great lesson that there are more things in which we agree and have common interests than in which we differ. But our differences of opinion as to public administration are all brought together in a genuine patriotism and love of country. [Applause]. It gives me pleasure to witness since my last visit to St. Louis evidence of that steady and uninterrupted growth which this great commercial centre has made since its birth as an Indian trading-post on the Mississippi. No year has been without its added evidences of progress, development, accumulation of wealth, and increase in population. You have now passed any period of doubt or uncertainty, and the career of St. Louis is assured. You have grown like the oak, annually adding a ring to the prosperity and wealth and commercial importance of your great city. You have struck the roots of your influence broad and deep into the nourishing earth of this great fertile land in which you have lived; and the branches--the high branches of your enterprise--are reaching toward the sunlight that shines upon them. You are situated upon the Mississippi River, giving you water communication with the sea, a communication which this Government has undertaken to improve and secure, and which I believe will be made secure by appropriate legislation. [Applause.] Nor do I know any reason why these great lines of railway stretching from St. Louis to the Southwest may not yet touch great ports of commerce, deep harbors, until they shall become trunk lines. We have come to regard only these lines of railway communication to eastern seaboards as trunk lines. I do not know why. Indeed, I believe that in the future, when we shall have seized again, as we will seize if we are true to ourselves, our own fair part of commerce upon the sea, and when we shall have again our appropriate share of South American trade [cheers], that these railroads from St. Louis, touching deep harbors on the gulf, and communicating there with lines of steamships, shall touch the ports of South America and bring their tribute to you. You shall in all these things find a special interest, but an interest that will be shared, as all great interests are, by the Nation and people, of which you are a loyal and enterprising part. And now, my friends, again let me thank you, and all those who have spoken in your behalf, for these friendly words. These great industries of commerce and manufactures here are entwined in friendly helpfulness. As they are diversified your prosperity is increased; but under them all, as the only secure rock upon which they can rest, is social order and obedience to the law. Let it never be forgotten anywhere that commerce builds only upon social order. Be watchful and careful of every instrumentality or suggestion which puts itself against the law. Where the law is wrong make it right. [Cries of "Good!" and cheering.] Let that be the one rule of conduct in the public relations of every American citizen. And now, my friends, again let me say thank you and good-by.

At the conclusion of the reception on 'Change the President, escorted by the Committee of Reception, visited the Fair Grounds and attended a banquet in his honor at the Jockey Club House. In the evening the distinguished guests visited the Exposition, where a tremendous crowd gathered. As the President entered Music Hall, Gilmore's famous band struck up "Hail to the Chief." The great audience stood and called repeatedly for a speech. The President arose in his box and bowed several times; but there was no denying their demands, and Governor Francis finally introduced his excellency, who said:

_Ladies and Gentlemen_--I have sometimes thought that the life of the President of the United States is like that of the policeman in the opera--not a happy one. So many cares strew his path, so many people's welfare is to be considered, that wiser heads than mine may well be puzzled. The attention of this mighty audience to-night has been distracted from the concert by my entrance, not withstanding the fact that it has a leader more a master of his art than any other on the continent. I did not, nor do I desire to make a speech to-night. But as I have always declared myself in favor of the rule of the majority, I feel compelled to do so.

From early morn till late this evening the day has been one of unalloyed pleasure to me. Every possible courtesy has been shown our party, and we have gathered, I assure you, a most high opinion of your people and your city. This building is in every way a credit to St. Louis, the metropolis of the Southwest, and its exhibits do credit to the merchants and manufacturers represented. I am glad to see that the higher arts go hand-in-hand with mechanics. Art, music, poetry, and song should not be separated from the homes of the poor, and such an institution as this cannot fail to instil all that is good into the hearts of every one. Before I close let me tell you all how grateful and how complimented I feel at my hearty reception in your midst. I shall always recall this day with happy remembrance. Now, won't you crown the great courtesies of the day by allowing me to end my speech? [Applause.]

ANDERSON, INDIANA, OCTOBER 13.

President Harrison passed the Sabbath quietly at his Indianapolis residence, and early Monday morning, accompanied by Secretary Tracy and Marshal Ransdell, started for Washington.

The first stop was at Pendleton, where the President shook hands with quite a crowd. Anderson, the county seat of Madison County, was reached at 7:10, and a large concourse of people greeted the travellers. The President was received by Hon. Winfield T. Durbin, Chas. T. Doxey, W. A. Kittinger, John F. McClure, Caleb Brown, Jacob Koehler, Francis Watkins, A. A. Small, and other leading citizens. Mayor Terhune, in a patriotic address, presented the Chief Executive.

After acknowledging the cordial greeting, the President spoke of the rapid industrial development of that section consequent upon the discovery and development of natural gas, and predicted a fine future for the county. Concluding, he said:

I am here to-day, returning to my duties at Washington from a trip taken to meet some of my old comrades during the war. There are some here this morning. I bid them God-speed; I give them a comrade's greeting; and to you, my old-time friends, not in politics, but in that pride and association which makes us all Indianians--we are all proud of our State and proud of our communities--I desire to say that while I have friends elsewhere, these were my earliest friends--friends of my boyhood almost, for I was scarcely more than a boy when I became a citizen of this State, and I always turn to it with affectionate interest. [Cheers.]

MUNCIE, INDIANA, OCTOBER 13.

At Muncie the assemblage was very large, numbering over 10,000, and the President received the most vociferous greeting of the day. Here, as at other points in the State, hundreds of General Harrison's old friends crowded forth to welcome him and bid him God-speed. Prominent among these were: Hon. Frank Ellis, Mayor of the city; Hon. M. C. Smith, Hon. John C. Eiler, Hon. Fred W. Heath, Hon. W. W. Orr, Hon. O. N. Cranor, Hon. Geo. W. Cromer, Judge O. J. Lotz, Dr. G. W. H. Kemper, Dr. Thos. J. Bowles, Dr. A. B. Bradbury, A. L. Kerwood, Geo. L. Lenon, F. E. Putnam, Thos. H. Kirby, Charles H. Anthony, D. H. H. Shewmaker, Theodore F. Rose, N. N. Spence, Chas. M. Kimbrough, Webster S. Richey, Thos. L. Zook, John T. Watterhouse, J. W. Ream, C. E. Jones, and R. I. Patterson. Mayor Ellis delivered a brief welcoming address and introduced the President, who spoke as follows: