Speeches of Benjamin Harrison, Twenty-third President of the United States

by Benjamin Harrison

When the President returned from witnessing several members of his party enjoy a dip in the mammoth pool he was met by Mayor Hodges at the head of the following Reception Committee of prominent citizens: Joseph Love, A. W. Dennis, Reed Burritt, F. C. Ewing, F. S. Dart, F. C. Sohram, H. C. Eaton, J. R. De Remer, Alex. Anderson, A. W. Dennis, Miles Standish, J. L. Hays, W. H. Hallett, H. R. Kamm, J. T. McLean, W. H. Bradt, J. R. Wallingford, J. G. Pease, Paul Blount, J. H. Campbell, C. B. Ellis, B. T. Napier, Thomas Kendrick, E. T. Wolverton, Fred Korupkat, C. A. Lee, Dr. G. H. Moulton, M. V. B. Blood, James Leach, P. F. Carr, George Edinger, W. H. Spear, Joseph Enzensperger, C. M. Keck, J. W. Beaman, J. M. Stevens, R. O. Hoover, E. Schuster, J. W. Ross, William Chrisman, G. H. Ferris, F. A. Enoch, Frank Lindsley, Frank Kaiser, J. A. I. Claudon, F. A. Barlow, Ed. B. Everett, N. Falk, H. C. Bunte, H. W. Ennen, William Dougan, Dr. L. G. Clark, James Anderson, Chris. Beck, J. S. Swan, H. J. Holmes, James Coughlin, S. H. Wood, John Miller, N. S. Henderson, J. M. Durand, Jr., Matt. Carroll, John Lynch, W. H. Trumbor, S. W. Nott, B. Hopkins, William Houston, C. V. Noble, C. M. Kiggins, Dr. E. A. Bryant, J. N. Bishop, William Denning, A. Miller, J. H. Connor, C. H. Belding, William Dinkle, C. L. Todd, George Yule, C. A. Hahn, H. H. Gates, James Soister, C. C. Hendrie, P. R. Morris, J. L. Noonan, Fred L. Walthers, T. W. Thomas, C. C. Parks, J. T. Shumate, Wm. Gelder, M. J. Bartley, A. E. Bartlett, John McReavy, W. S. Parkinson, Frank Dallis, E. H. Watson, J. H. Bixby, Jake Kline, M. M. Cantrell, J. H. Pierce, C. C. Streeter, E. T. Taylor, John Eitel, P. C. Coryell, Frank Mason, Fred Korn, W. H. Richardson, H. C. Babize, George Bennett, Frank Lyle, J. F. Myser, R. Stees, J. W. Ritter, R. P. Mallaby, W. De Long, L. F. Grace, Ed. Meachem, Andrew Anderson, Joe Keating, W. H. Sikes, W. L. Willoughby, T. R. Williams, J. W. Dollison, Alex. Voorhees, Theo. Rosenberg, H. T. Sale, S. J. De Lan, William Cardnell, G. B. Garrison, R. M. Hedden, P. H. Fitzpatrick, C. W. Durand, Kellie Cookson, Albert Gerstle, F. P. Monroe, William Shaw, C. J. Feist, E. E. Knight, George Phillips, Ed. S. Hughes, D. W. Smart, P. G. Foote, W. T. Beans, C. Poole, J. H. Mager, W. J. Brennan, Murdo McLeod, J. E. Chaney, A. W. Maxfield, William Smith, A. M. Stevenson, C. B. Brown, M. N. Edwards, and Harry Van Sickle.

The Mayor made the welcoming address and presented the President with a solid silver plate, superbly engraved with the coat-of-arms of Colorado.

President Harrison replied:

Mr. Mayor and Fellow-citizens—In arranging the programme of this trip, and desiring to find one day in the seven for rest, we selected this spot because of its fame throughout the East as one of delightful location and natural attractions. I am glad this selection was made. It has given me much pleasure—the beauty of your surroundings and especially the picturesque attractiveness and magnificence of the scenery. The city which you are launching forth upon the tide of usefulness and prosperity will grow in fame. I thank you most cordially for this souvenir, and I leave with you my most earnest hope for the prosperity of the city.

Senator Tabor introduced a delegation from Aspen representing 1,000 miners from that famous camp. Col. E. F. Browne then presented a most unique souvenir—a silver card bearing mottoes worked in native wire silver.

In accepting this rare token the President said:

This is one of the most beautiful of all the souvenirs that have been presented me on this trip. I wish to say to you that I do not regard your visit as an intrusion. I will not undertake to dilate upon the fatigue of this trip. I have been leaning over the hind rail of the train for a long time, and I came to Glenwood Springs tired. I wish to remain quiet, not from any puritanical notion of the Sabbath, and I hope none of you will feel that way. It is not because I don't want to see you. It is the contrary, I assure you, and I regret my inability to give you all a public reception.

I have for Aspen and her people the kindest wishes. As for the State of Colorado, it will grow more vigorous and richer in all that makes an American commonwealth.

In common with Western States, Colorado has had the pick of the people of the Eastern States. It seems to me as though her citizens had passed competitive examination for push and enterprise, and only the worthless were turned back at the ferry. I thank you for your liberality.