Speeches of Benjamin Harrison, Twenty-third President of the United StatesHarrison, Benjamin
History
Speeches of Benjamin Harrison, Twenty-third President of the United States
Harrison, Benjamin
Harrison, Benjamin, 1833-1901; Speeches, addresses, etc., American; United States -- Politics and government
Later in the evening the President and party attended a banquet given by
the citizens in honor of the First Brigade. It was a brilliant affair,
conducted by the ladies of the city, active among whom were Mrs. Geo.
Lescher, Miss Tillie Weeks, Miss Maude Stewart, Miss Winnie Hoover,
and Mrs. Whiffen. Mrs. George Gale had charge of the table of honor,
assisted by Mrs. Otto M. Smith and Miss Louise Tryon. Gen. Philip S.
Post was Master of Ceremonies and presented General Harrison.
The President prologued his parting words with an incident of a visit
he made to a small town down the Potomac. Although he was introduced
as President all over the town, no special attention was paid to him,
and when the local paper came out with a column and a half report of
the visit of the Chief Executive, the good people of the town were
astonished, but explained their lack of attention by saying they thought
Mr. Harrison was president of some fishing club. Aside from jokes, said
the President:
One serious word in leaving. This day in Galesburg I shall long
remember. The enthusiasm and the cordiality of the citizens, the
delicacy and kindness of their attention, have impressed me deeply.
I shall ever gratefully recollect Galesburg as a spot of especial
interest, as the place of the meeting of the old brigade. Comrades,
I hope to meet you again when my time is more my own, and on several
occasions like this to speak to you more familiarly, and to recall
this time. I have tried not to be stinted in my intercourse with you,
for I have wanted you to feel me warm and sincere. I have expressed
myself, but not as freely as I would if by ourselves, or if I were
but a private citizen or member of the brigade. But I would say to
you and all your families, to the wives that sit here, to the wives
and children that are at home, to those who have gone out from your
roof-tree to prepare homes, to your grand-children--and I hope all of
you have them--to one and all, I extend the hearty sympathy and best
wishes of the "old-timer" you served so faithfully.
OTTUMWA, IOWA, OCTOBER 9.
The President's party left Galesburg the night of the 8th, arriving
at Burlington at 10 o'clock, where about 8,000 people greeted them.
The President was escorted to the Commercial Club rooms, where Mayor
Duncan, on behalf of the city of Burlington, and P. M. Crapo, president
of the club, made addresses of welcome. A reception of one hour's
duration followed, during which President Harrison shook hands with
3,000 callers. Ottumwa was reached at 8 o'clock Thursday morning. A
committee of citizens, headed by Hon. J. G. Hutchison, met the President
at Galesburg. On arrival the President and his brother, John Scott
Harrison, were immediately driven to the residence of their sister, Mrs.
T. J. Devin, where they passed the morning.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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