Rensselaer Republican, Volume 22, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 September 1889 — THE PRESIDENT CELEBRATES. [ARTICLE]

THE PRESIDENT CELEBRATES.

He Receives an Ovation from Pennsylvania People aad Makes a Speech. The President and Mrs. Harrison attended the I ‘Old Log College” celebration on toe old Tennent farm near Harts ville, Pa., Thursday.- The log college was established in 1726 by William Tenneht an Oeurished until 1743, when Princeton College was founded, and it may be said that the Princeton institution of learning sprang up from the primitive college established by Tennent An immense Crowd was in attendance at the celebration. The President and party arrived from Washington Wednesday evening and spent the night at Mr. Wanamaker’s country home at Jenkintown. Early Thursday the Presidential party started for the place where the exercises where held, driving in carriages over the old York road, a distance of about eight miles. The route which the party traveled was profusely decorated with flags and bunting, the farm houses, fences and trees showing evidence of the peoples intention to make the President’s journey memorable. At 11 :80 the President, leaning on the arm of Mr. Wanamaker, entered tho large tent and was given a most enthusiastic welcome. They were followed, by others of the party, and all toof front seats on the raised platform. The ladies of the party were drossed very handsomely, and carried beautiful bouquets. Mr. Harrison’s Journey had been one continual ovation. The entire eight miles of road was lined with people, and cheering was frequent. The President made a brief speech, in which he said: “I have had illustrated to me here to-day one of toe consistent graces and tenets of the Presbyterian Church. Nothing, I assure you, short of toe robust embodiment of the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints in the person of our distinguished brother, the Chairman, who has just introduced me, could have overcome the difficulties which seem to be iu the way o| those attending celebrations. I have also had iflustrated to me, I regret to say, another of the results ,of persistent Presbyterianism. I never at any time promised to make any address here to-day. [Laughter.] “I never authorized anyone te say so. There are many embarrassing things to be encountered in this life, among them there to none more embarrassing than being associated on the platform or sitting at the table next to gentlemen with manuscripts in their pockets vtoen one is not similarly provided. [Great laughter. ] “I thank you for yonr hospitable treatment of me and mine to-day, and I must say I have much pleasure in being here, for every impulse of honest pride that stirs your hearts moves mine. I am glad to stand here at the sources of a great movement. I have seen toe Mississippi River pouring into its enormous gulf, and I have had tho pleasure of standing at the source of the great Missouri; but what is the force and energy implied by these rushing streams when compared with the movement inaugurated here. [Applause.] lam glad to be here to help celebrate one of those great impulses springing from a small beginning, and yet how far-reaching in its results wad effects. I don’t want unduly to exalt the Presbyterian Church, and yet I think historians who have been untouched by partisanship testify that it has been magnificently pressed onward. Let us take no backward steps. Let us continue to merit the favor of God and do His work until the world shall cease to move. Steadfastness is our characteristic; our enemies have called It obstinacy, and there are occasions when even that trait and that characteristic have its services. Let us, my friends, continue to be steadfast to the faith nurtured and strengthened on this sacred spot.” In concluding his address the President said: ‘‘Let me kindly thank yourfor this most cordial and brotherly greeting. Let me wish that this day will close as auspiciously as it has opened. Let me hope that the scholarly addresses which yen have heard read from manuscript, will convey new thoughts to your minds, and that you will carry away from here pleasant recollections of the day’s celebration." At the close of toe President’s address there was a scene of wild excitement for five minutes—men and women cheering and waving handkerchiefs, and in other ways demonstrating their approval of toe Chief Executive’s sentiments. The Presidential party returned to Washington, Friday. •