Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 19, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 May 1891 — THE PRESIDENT AT HOME [ARTICLE]

THE PRESIDENT AT HOME

HIS LONG TRIP COMPLETED WITHOUT ACCIDENT. Th« Westerner* Gave Him a Most Cordial Reception—Laughable Ml.take In Delivering m Speech—The Welcome iu Illinois and Indiana. The President ha- returned from his 10.000-mile journey on time, without accident, but naturally fatigued from the long straiu. It was a remarkable railroad accomplishment, and does credit to George W, Boyd, Assistant General Passengor Agent of the Pennsylvania Kailroad, who largely planned and executed It. On his return trip from the Pacific coast. President Harrison visited Omaha. Indianapolis, Decatur, and Jacksonville. The trip through Nebraska was marked by an enthusiastic welcome all along the line. At Hastings and Lincoln and in Omaha immense crowds turned out On the arrival at Omaha, a procession was formed, which finally brought up at a stand where the President made an extended address. A re; option was held in the rotunda of the Bee Building, 'lhe party took luncheon at the home of Senator Saunders. Gov. Thayer and Gov. Boyd both took part In the exercises, the former, being the acting Governor, of course taking precedence. There was but one hitch in the entire programme, and that was at the highschool grounds The U'.OOO school-chil-dren wero gathered on the west of the big building, where a platform had been erected for the President On the east of the building a crowd of 10,000 had gathered and there the President’s carriage was stopped. Air. Harrison arose to his feet and made a two-mlnuto speech which was intended for the children. At the conclusion of his remarks he was apprised of his mistake, and instantly alighting with his escort ho made his way through the clamoring crowd and mounted the platform. He said:

My little friends, you do not feel half as badly as I do at the thought that I made, by mistake, a speech lutendod for you to your papus and mammas. I have not the t ime to attempt to repeat it, but I can’t get away without telllngyou of the affectionate interest 1 have in all tho children of this great country. Bless you, you are tho blossoms of our homes. With a good-by. another God bless you. and I am off. At Jacksonville tho Pro - d nt was greeted cordially, '1 ho nowVy elected Democratic Mayor hud a fine lot of dayorations on tho depot building, while ho induced people in the vlc nity to dlsp’ay (lags and national colors, and a largo cannon was si cured and firing was begun an h >ur before tho party arrived ft'd didn’t cease until the smoke of the locomotive had disappeared in tho distance, The President spoke briefly and shook hands for ten minut s At Decatur the train made a stop oi' thirty minut s. A platform had been improvised on a flat ear, lro n which tho Pres d nt. Secretary Husk and Post-ma-t -r General Wannmakor sp ke. Tho visitors wire we’cdmoJ by Mavor Chambers. Fiftocn minutes aftor the President entered his own State at Montezuma ho was surrounded by friends who had eomo down from Indianapolis to welcome him homo, Tho Indianapolis contingent was eomposod of eommittees from every political society and business organization in that city. It consisted of 300 persons, representing the Hendricks Club, tho Gray Club, tho Columbia Club, and other political organizations, all State officers, Judges of the Supreme, Appellate. Federal, and County Courts, all United States o.ticers, nil city officers and members of the municipal boards, all county oflicors and the (ounty commissioners, representatives of all tho fifty-two labor organlznt'ous in the city, officers of the State militia, delegates front tho Commercial Club and Board of Trade, tho Department C> mmandor and staff of tht' Grand Army, with a representative from ouch post; representatives of tho military order of tho I.oval Legion, Union Vo orun 1 ogion and :-ons of Veterans. Governor Hovoy, Senator Uurpie, ex-Govornor Gray, Lieutenant, Governor Chaso, Judge Woods of tint United States Court, cx-Congrossmnu Peollo and Mayor Sullivan wero among those in tho party, and those, with a muni or of others, mostly personal friends and neighbors of tho President, accompanied him to Indianapolis. Booming of cannon and shrieking of whistles announced the approach of their distinguished townsman to tho Indianapolis people. In response to addresses of weleorno by Governor Hovoy aud Mayor Su’livan the President made a speech After speeches by Uostmastor General Wanamaker and Secretary llusk, the President and party entered carriages ami were escorted by military and other organizations through tho principal Btroots and back to the station. A parting cheer burst, from the concourse and the President’s bVief visit to his old homo was over. Airs, Harrison and the Indies’ party hold an informal reception on the train.