[WESTERN TOUR, OCTOBER, 1890.]
On the morning of October 6, 1890, President Harrison left Washington to attend the reunion of the First Brigade, Twentieth Army Corps, at Galesburg, Ill., and to visit points in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Indiana. He was accompanied by Secretary Tracy, Gen. Charles H. Grosvenor, Private Secretary Halford, Marshal Daniel M. Ransdell, Capt. Wm. M. Meredith, Gen. T. J. Morgan, and E. F. Tibbott, stenographer.
[CLIFTON FORGE, VIRGINIA, OCTOBER 6.]
The trip through Virginia was uneventful. At Staunton the President was serenaded, and among those who met him were ex-Congressman Desendorf, of Virginia, and David Stewart, of Indianapolis. Clifton Forge was reached at twilight, and nearly 1,000 residents heartily cheered the President and called for a speech. In response he said:
My Friends—I hope you will excuse me from making a speech. I have travelled for the first time over the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad, and I have noticed with great interest and pleasure the development which is being made along the road of the mineral resources of the State of Virginia. What I have seen moves me to offer my sincere congratulations on what you have already accomplished, and what is surely in store for you if you but make use of your resources and opportunities. [Cheers.]