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President visiting returning troops

From Niles to the White House

Editor’s note: This is part of a weekly series marking the 120th anniversary of Niles native William McKinley’s U.S. presidency.

The Spanish-American War of 1898 ended and many of the U.S. troops headed back home to their families.

President William McKinley and some of his cabinet boarded trains in September and in October 1898 to celebrate with the newly returned troops for their victory over Spain. Trips to New York were followed by a trip to DeKalb, Ill., and then onto 23 towns in Iowa to meet with the troops and thank them for their service. It was a whirlwind trip over six days by rail, but McKinley was in good spirits and wanted to celebrate.

McKinley knew this was not just a regional, eastern or Washington, D.C., war, but the first true U.S. military engagement with soldiers and sailors from all over the country. Many Native Americans and cowboys who had fought battles out West were the first to sign up for the war as Rough Riders and other units and McKinley wanted to honor them.

His remarks and speeches were about the same at each stop to spread the thanks to those across the country, especially those who traveled from the west to serve the nation.

“I have not fitting words to express my appreciation of this cordial welcome.” McKinley would always begin with. “We have gone from industrial depression to industrial activity. We have gone from labor seeking employment to employment seeking labor. We have an abundant and unquestionable currency the world over, and unsurpassed national credit. We too have a good national conscience, and the courage of destiny.”

“We have much to be grateful for in stirring events of the past six months. The army and navy of the United States have not only won praise, but the admiration of the world. Our achievements on land and sea are without parallel in the world’s history. North and South as well as East and West have been united as never before.”

“I go thither, also that I may celebrate with my fellow countrymen of the West the progress of the war thus far made, the protocol already signed, and the suspension of hostilities, with the hope you and I entertain that, in the final settlements, the treaty may be one founded in right and justice and in the interest of humanity. This war, that was so speedily closed through the valor of our soldiers will bring us, I trust, blessings that are now beyond calculation. It will also bring burdens, but the American people never shirk a responsibility that carries forward civilization.”

“In paying tribute to the patriotism and valor of the men engaged in the war, we must not fail to give deserved praise to the nobility of the women. Husbands and sons went from every walk of life, even at personal self-sacrifice in the struggle to support, and were not held back, but encouraged to respond. Women provided relief work, ministering where disease and death were most frequent in the camps and at the front. They have added new glory to the rare and exquisite qualities of American womanhood.”

Mike Wilson is the director of SCOPE Senior Services of Trumbull County and has traveled around the nation performing as William McKinley for the past 25 years.

columns@tribtoday.com

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