At Urbana, Ill., Secretary Tracy addressed several thousand residents. At Champaign the citizens were attended by the students of the University of Illinois, who received the President with their college cheer. Among the leading citizens who participated in welcoming the Chief Executive were Dr. L. S. Wilcox, John W. Spalding, F. K. Robinson, P. W. Woody, H. H. Harris, J. L. Ray, T. J. Smith, H. Swannell, Ozias Riley, A. P. Cunningham, J. B. Harris, Edward Bailey, Solon Philbrick, C. J. Sabin, W. S. Maxwell, L. W. Faulkner, J. W. Mulliken, Judge C. B. Smith, W. P. Lockwood, W. A. Heath, Geo. F. Beardsley, Hon. Abel Harwood, W. H. Munhall, A. W. Spalding, and C. M. Sherfey.
President Harrison said:
My Good Friends—It is very evident that there is a large representation here of the Greek societies. [Cheers.] I thank you for this greeting. We are on our way to Galesburg to unite with my old comrades in arms of the First Brigade, Third Division, Twentieth Army Corps, in a reunion. I had not expected here, or at any other intermediate point on the journey, to make addresses, but I cannot fail to thank these young gentlemen from the University of Illinois for the interest their presence gives to this meeting. Your professors, no doubt, give you all needed admonition and advice, and you will, I am sure, thank me for not adding to your burdens. Good-night. [Cheers.]
[PEORIA, ILLINOIS, OCTOBER 8.]
The third day of the President's journey found him in Peoria, where he was warmly welcomed by Mayor Charles C. Clarke at the head of the following committee of prominent citizens: Alexander G. Tyng, Jr., President Board of Trade; John D. Soules, President Travelling Men's Association; editor Eugene Baldwin, and Hon. Julius S. Starr. Miss Elsie Leslie Lyde, the child actress, on behalf of the citizens and the Grand Army, presented the President with a beautiful bouquet, which the Chief Magistrate acknowledged by kissing the little orator in the presence of the great assemblage.
Mayor Clarke introduced the President, who spoke as follows:
My Fellow-citizens—It is not possible that I should introduce this morning any serious theme. I have greatly enjoyed this trip through my own State and yours, sisters in loyalty and sacrifice for the Union, sisters also in prosperity and honor. I find myself simply saying thank you, but with an increasing sense of the kindness of the people. If anything could add to the solemn sense of responsibility which my official oath places upon me, it would be these evidences of friendliness and confidence. The great mass of the people of this country are loyal, loving, dutiful citizens, ready to support every faithful officer in the discharge of his duties and to applaud every honest effort for their good. It is a source of great strength to know this, and this morning, not less from this bright sunshine and this crisp Illinois air than from these kindly faces, I draw an inspiration to do what I can, the very best I can, to promote the good of the people of the United States. I go to-day to meet with some comrades of your State who stood with me in the army of the great Union for the defence of the flag. I beg now to thank these comrades of Peoria and this company of National Guards and all these friends, and you, Mr. Mayor and gentlemen of the Reception Committee, for this kindly greeting, and to say that I have great satisfaction in knowing the people of this community are very prosperous. May that prosperity increase until every citizen, even the humblest, shares it. May peace, social order, and the blessing of God abide in every house is my parting wish for you. [Cheers.]