[MODESTO, CALIFORNIA, APRIL 25.]
Modesto was reached at 2:40 P.M. The veterans of Grant Post, G. A. R., with Company D, N. G. C., and several hundred citizens, gave the President a rousing greeting. The Committee of Reception was Hon. John S. Alexander, Charles A. Post, and Rev. Dr. Webb.
George Perley introduced President Harrison, who spoke as follows:
Fellow-citizens—It is very pleasant for me to meet here, as at all the stations I have passed, a kindly assembly of my fellow-countrymen. We do not need any one to watch us, nor do we need to keep watch against anybody else. Peace and good-will characterize our communities. I was quite amused at a station not far from here to hear a wondering Chinaman remark as he came up to the train, "Why, they have no guns on board!" [Laughter.] How different it is with us!—no retinue, no guards. We travel across this broad country safe in the confidence and fellowship and kindness of its citizenship. What other land is there like it? Where else are there homes like ours? Where else institutions so free and yet so adequate to all the needs of government, to make the home and community safe, to restrain the ill-disposed, and everywhere to promote peace and individual happiness?
We congratulate each other that we are American citizens. Without distinction of party, without taking note of the many existing differences of opinion, we are all glad to do all in our power to promote the dignity and prosperity of the country we love. We cannot love it too much; we cannot be too careful that all our influence is on the side of good government and of American interests. We do not wish ill to any other nation or people in the world, but they must excuse us if we regard our own fellow-citizens as having the highest claim on our regard. We will promote such measures as look to our own interests. [Cheers.]
[LATHROP, CALIFORNIA, APRIL 25.]
The President's arrival at Lathrop was celebrated by several thousand residents, re-enforced by large delegations from the neighboring city of Stockton. The Committee of Reception consisted of James J. Sloan, A. Henry Stevens, Z. T. White, O. H. P. Bailey, E. Jesurun, T. B. Walker, W. S. Reyner, D. Sanguinite, Geo. H. Seay, O. D. Wilson, C. F. Sherburne, F. D. Simpson, and F. J. Walker. The Committee of Reception appointed by the Mayor of Stockton, and participating in behalf of that city, was J. K. Doak, F. J. Ryan, I. S. Haines, Willis Lynch, H. R. McNoble, J. M. Dormer, and F. T. Baldwin. A feature of the reception was 100 school children, each carrying a bouquet, which they presented to the President and Mrs. Harrison, both of whom kissed several of the little donors. Postmaster Sloan delivered the welcoming address. The President, responding, said:
My Fellow-citizens—I should be less than human if I were not touched by the rapid succession of hearty greetings received by us in our journey through California. I should be more than human if I were able to say something new or interesting at each of these assemblies.