Rensselaer Republican, Volume 27, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 June 1896 — AT M’KINLEY’S HOME. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

AT M’KINLEY’S HOME.

Great Demonstration at Canton in Honor of the Nominee. The same electric click that notified Major McKinley of his nomination at St. Louis set the Canton, 0., fire alarm gong a-going, and at that preconcerted signal a huge parade of 15,000 fellow soldiers and fellow citizens of Major McKinley formed by pre-arrangement in front of the court house and, escorted by three com' panies of militia, With several bands and drum corps, paraded up North Market street to the McKinley home on the hilk When the nominating speeches commenced in the St. Louis convention hall the militia and old ■Soldiers began to fall in line at Canton. ( The scene on the liny of march to the McKinley home was one of wildest enthusiasm. Batteries of artillery started with the nomination signal to fire 100 rounds. Before the parade had covered a halfdozep blocks to the McKinley heme, as if by magic the center of the city and line of march was a panorama of flags, festooning and decorations of all kinds. F. E. Case, a lawyer and prominent manufacturer, who had been chosen by the .citizens’ committee to deliver a congratulatory address, spoke as follows: Maj: McKinley: Your neighbors and townsmen wish to be first to congratulate you upon your nomination to the highest office within the gift of the people, None know better than these neighbors here assembled how well this honor is merited. These were the first to witness the beginning of your public career.. They saw you quit your academic studies with the ardor of youth and bravery beyond your years to devote your services to your country. The courage and ability you then displayed, a promise of what followed in later years, won for you that rank and title by which we have so long and familiarly addressed you. A few of your veteran comrades have again formed in line, and, joining the citizens of Canton, fake thia opportunity to make pronounced their high regard for you. The ability and fidelity with which you have discharged your great public trusTs, and The recognition bjnytJurTfountry' meh of long and useful service to the State and nation, are exceedingly gratifying to your Canton and Stark county friends. But we welcome to you as without distinction of party, bearing in mind that, while yon have acted In a broader field you have not lost sight of the duties rind obligations of the citizens, and with your many cares and responsibilities you have always-found time and opportunity to lend your valuable assistance to all that makes for good in our community. We till unite in extending to you our hearty congratulations, and good wishes. \ Major McKinley’s Response. There was a sea of faces for blocks iibuitt. and after- a wtaMwind of applause had greeted cx-Gov. McKinley, he responded as follows: My friends and fellow-citizens: I am greatly honored by this demonstration. Its nonpartisan character forbids political discussion, and I appear only to make grateful acknowledgment to your address and congratulations. I am not indifferent to the pleasure whleh you exhibit at the news just received from the Republican National Convention. For days your interest lias been centered upon St. Louis, and your presence In such vast numbers testifies to your personal good will as well as your gratification with,, the

work there done. Your cordial assurances are all the more appreciated by me because they come from my fellow-cltizejjs, inen.pt all parties, my neighbors, my former constituents, and my old army comrades With wh'om I have lived almost a lifetime, and who have honored me over and over again with important public'” trusts. ’Your warm words are reciprocated and will be long remembered. Many of those around me have not always agreed with me, nor I with them, touching political questions. But It is pleasant, as I look into your faces to recall, that in all the. years of the past there has never been a moment of time when you have withheld from me your friendship, your encouragement and yoyi; confidence. You have always been most generously loyal, and my heart is full of gratitude to you all. There Is nothing more gratifying, or honorable to any man than to have the regard and esteem of hfs fellow-townsmen, and In this I have been peculiarly blessed. Never were ‘neighbors more devoted or unfaltering In their support than you have been to me. You have always mtide my cause your cause, and tny home among ymrhas been one of Increasing pleasure. This county and city are very dear to me. Here I have spent all of my young manhood, and 1 have been Identified with this magnificent county for nearly a third of a century. I have followed Its growth with unconcealed pride, and have noted-with satisfaction that It,lias kept pace with- the most advanced and prosperous coinunities and has fallen behind none. I am glad to greet you here. You have never failed to greet mo with your liest wishes and congratulations' upon every occasion of my nomination to a public office, commencing twenty years ago when I was first, named by my party for Congress. I can not undertake to estimate the value of these many friendly demonstxptlona, so helpful, so stimulating. more than you could have anticipated or believed at the time Your cull today Is warmly appreciated, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for what you have said, as expressive of the feelings of those for whom you speak. This latest evidence of your esteem ninkes me more than ever indebted to you, and the linppy memory of your kindness and confidence will abide with me forever.

A THOROUGH AMERICAN.