[LINCOLN, NEBRASKA, MAY 13]
The capital of Nebraska was reached at 9 o'clock in the morning and the Lincolnites gave the President a warm greeting. The State officials, with Mayor Weir and the following prominent citizens, comprised the Committee of Reception: Maj. H. C. McArthur, Charles H. Gere, E. E. Brown, N. S. Harwood, C. M. Parker, C. E. Montgomery, S. S. Royce, A. H. Weir, J. B. Archibald, W. E. Churchill, Alva Brown, John D. Wright, Phelps Paine, J. B. Strode, C. H. Gould, Joseph Teeters, J. J. Imhoff, John H. McClay, D. W. Mosely, J. H. McMurtry, Professor Bessey, and Alva Kennard. During the march to the Capitol grounds the President was escorted by the veterans of Farragut Post, Martin Howe Commander, and Appomattox Post, C. W. Lyman Commander. Governor Thayer and Mayor Weir each delivered an address welcoming the President to Nebraska and to Lincoln.
President Harrison responded:
Governor Thayer and Mr. Mayor—It will, I think, be entirely impossible for me to make myself heard by this vast assemblage, situated as you are here this morning. Our stay with you is necessarily brief, and yet I do not want you to feel that we have discriminated against the political capital of one of the very greatest of the newer States. I have been so pressed with the engagements which have been suggested to us that I have only been able to give three-quarters of an hour to Indianapolis, my own home. I have given you the same, and I had hoped, very much, that this time could be extended and that I would be able to address you with more comfort to myself and to you.
We are here as American citizens, for common hope and love; we are here the friends of the flag, of the Constitution, of social order, of every school, of all that characterizes this Nation and makes it better than any other nation in the world.
I thank you, most cordially thank you, for this magnificent demonstration. It has but one fault, and that is it is altogether too large to be suitably arranged with a view to public speaking.
I hope you will allow me again to thank you very sincerely for your most cordial and magnificent welcome, and wish for you and your State all prosperity and for the country of which we are common citizens a career of unchecked glory. [Cheers.]
As the President was about to depart he was met by a committee representing the Nebraska Travelling Men's Association, consisting of President Fred A. Wilson, Secretary R. M. Simons, and Capt. J. S. Agey, who presented him with an address of welcome printed on satin in gold. In accepting the souvenir the President said:
Convey my thanks to the travelling men, for whom I entertain the kindest regard. I remember them in the last campaign, and shall always be thankful for the favors extended. I noticed your body in the parade, and have never seen a finer representation of the fraternity. [Renewed cheering.]