| "If these compliments and tributes are to continue for long," declared the General, "I am sure that I shall wish that the war had continued. To say that I am happy would be a waste of words. I cannot describe the emotions that fill my heart. You have been very complimentary to me, Mr. Secretary, more complimentary than I deserve. I can only reply by saying that the war was won by the united effort of the nation. The army abroad felt the inspiration that came from the effort of the people at home. The morale of an army is dependent upon the morale of the people behind it; and I am proud to say that the morale of the American people never gave us cause for anything but inspiration. "On an occasion of this kind we must not forget the fellows who faced a well-trained enemy with only partial training themselves. It is to them we owe the tribute. I hope their graves may be fittingly decorated as an eternal shrine to be visited by Americans in the future as a place where the lesson of patriotism may always be learned anew. "I wish to take this occasion to thank the people, the President, and you, Mr. Secretary, for the confidence that was placed in me. This confidence made the complex task in France inestimably more easy." Then came the street procession to City Hall Park, through the "Broadway Canyon." People were crowded five and six deep on both sides of the street; from hundreds of office windows high in the air there was a veritable snowfall of confetti and torn bits of paper; miles and miles of ticker tape thrown promiscuously |
from the same windows became
interlaced and tangled in midair,
giving the highway the aspect of a street
in another, more fantastic world; airplanes
glided as low as possible over the
thoroughfare; while whistles and automobile
horns blew and church bells
rang for an hour without intermission.
The crowds unleashed reserves of enthusiasm
that had been held in restraint
by recent strikes and other sober concerns.
"Here comes Pershing!" "Hurrah
for Black Jack!" "We're glad to
see you back!"
Officially Welcomed By City
At City Hall General Pershing and
the members of his staff, who accompanied
him on the Leviathan, were
officially welcomed by the city. After
the addresses of the mayor and the
governor they were turned over to a
committee of citizens, headed by Rodman
Wanamaker. Here the general
made his second address since returning
from France, and, as before, emphasized
what seemed to be his central thought—that
he accepts the praise and the adulation
for and in the name of those who
fought and died.
After the City Hall exercises the procession
was resumed, this time on Fifth
Avenue.
Arriving at the Waldorf, the general
retired for a nap, apologizing, but declaring
that he needed rest badly.
A dinner tonight, followed by a theatre
party at the Hippodrome, both
given by the Rodman Wanamaker
committee, ended the day's celebration.
—Courtesy The Philadelphia "Public Ledger." |
[THE FAIRIES ON THE GUMP]
Long, long ago the original inhabitants of England were driven by their enemies to take refuge in the western mountains, many being forced to cross the water to Ireland. The descendants of these people now live in Cornwall and in Wales and they are quite different from the people of the rest of England. This is a very pleasant retelling of one of their folk tales.
Down by St. Just, not far from Cape Cornwall and the sea, is a small hill, called "The Gump", where the Small People used to hold their revels, and where our grandfathers and grandmothers used to be allowed to stand and look on and listen.
People believed in the Fairies in those days, so the Fairies in return often helped the people, and did them all sorts of kindnesses. Indeed, they would do so now if folks had not grown so learned and disbelieving. It seems strange that because they have got more knowledge of some matters, they should have grown more ignorant of others, and declare that there never were such things as Fairies, just because they have neither eyes nor minds to see them!
Of course, no one could expect the sensitive little creatures to appear when they are sneered at and scoffed at. All the same, though, they are as much about us as ever they were, and if you or I, who do believe in the Little People, were to go to the Gump on the right nights at the right hour, we should see them feasting and dancing and holding their revels just as of old. If, though, you do go, you must be very careful to keep at a distance, and not to trespass on their fairy ground, for that is a great offense.