The Wheeling Daily Intelligencer

THE EX-PRESIDENT
Is Welcomed Home By His Old Friends and Neighbors.

IMMENSE OVATION IS TENDERED
The Great Soldier-Statesman and Model President on His Return to Indiana--A Speech Full of Feeling Democrats and Republicans Alike Join in the Reception at Indianapolis--The City Decorated in His Honor--Escorted to His Home By a Great Procession of Fellow Citizens.

INDIANAPOLIS, IND., March 6.--Indianapolis was gaily decorated to-day in honor of the return to his home of Benjamin Harrison, ex-President of the United States. The day opened clear and crisp and when the morning was well on the sun shed a comforting warmth and the great crowds suffered little from traditional March weather.

The business buildings and residences along the line of march from the Union Station to the Denison Hotel were festooned with flags and bunting and many of General Harrison's pictures were displayed. Twelve members of the reception committee left this city early this morning to meet General Harrison and accompany him back from a point this side of Richmond. The reception to the ex-Chief Magistrate was participated in by a large number of organizations.

When the train reached Richmond a large crowd was gathered to greet the distinguished ex-President. Loud calls for a speech went up and Gen. Harrison came forward and spoke as follows:

"My friends, you will excuse me for attempting to speak. I very deeply appreciate your kindness and the cordial way in which you receive me as I come back to my old state. I assure you it is with a great sense of satisfaction that I find myself again simply an Indianian [cheers]--your neighbor and friend, as you are mine. In the future I shall endeavor as a citizen to co-operate with you in all that makes for the dignity and honor and prosperity of Indiana [cries of "Good, good." and cheers], and as a citizen, in that larger sense that embraces the indissoluble union of all the states symbolized by the flag, to co-operate with you in upholding the honor and dignity of the American union and in promoting the prosperity of all the people. [Cheers.]

"Again, I thank you. My home-coming is, as you know, accompanied with a great personal sorrow. For the sympathy and kindness you have shown to me most of all thank you." [Cheers.]

The train bearing General Harrison and party arrived at the station at 11:20 o'clock. Carriages were in readiness, the first being for the use of ex-President Harrison. Governor Matthews and General Harrison's grandson, Benjamin Harrison McKee, also occupied this carriage which was preceded by marching clubs. The welcome home of General Harrison was as warm as was his God speed to Washington enthusiastic four years ago. As his carriage proceeded, the ex-President was kept busy bowing and lifting his hat to the cheering people along the way. The procession disbanded at the New Denison Hotel, and later in the afternoon General Harrison was driven to his old home, No. 674 Delaware street, with Mrs. McKee and family.

The ovation was wholly devoid of political feature, Democrat and Republican alike lifted hats to pay homage to the pioneer citizen. The organized bodies consisted of political clubs grand army posts and impromptu civic organizations.

To-night a general reception took place at the state house. At 8 o'clock the doors were thrown open and 15,000 people rushed in, soon filling it. It was the most enthusiastic demonstration seen in this city for years. The interior of the state house was beautifully draped with flags.

The distinguished party, headed by Mayor Sullivan of this city, shortly appeared, and the great building literally rocked with the cheers which went up from thousands of throats.

After a time the applause died away and the strains of music floated down from the balcony. When the selection was finished Mayor Sullivan welcomed the Ex-president, who responded as follows:

"GOVERNOR MATTHEWS, MR. FAIRBANKS AND FRIENDS: I do not think, even if the circumstances were more favorable than now surround us, I could say more than the fewest words of thanks. Four years ago, if the calendar is consulted, I left you to assume high responsibilities. If I should consult heart and mind, I should say ten years since I bade good-bye to my Indianapolis friends.

"Not a rising and setting of the sun but our experiences give the true sense of duration. I come back to Indianapolis--for since I came to manhood, I have had no other home. Suggestions of an attractive sort were made to me to make my home elsewhere, but it seemed to me that the only home for me was Indianapolis. [Cheers.]

I am too old to make a new home; not too old, I hope, to renew those old associations that made this so dear a home and to take within the circle of my affectionate regard this multitude of new faces that I see here to-night.

This city has made a wonderful growth since I left it. I shall have to learn again the landmarks. Change, improvement, expansion and increase are everywhere apparent, and in all this I rejoice with you. The state of Indiana has made corresponding increase. Factories and homes have greatly multiplied. Our population has greatly increased. Wealth has been developed and, I trust and believe, that with this advancement along material lines there has been a corresponding increase and development of the heart and of the home which alone can make a great people.

Then, too, the nation has had its growth and development. Some lines of progress have been indicated. Within the past few weeks I had the pleasure of lifting over one of the greatest merchant steamships that floats upon the sea that flag of beauty that hangs before me, [cheers]. I regarded it as the precursor and the pioneer of the time when the American flag was seen in every sea and the American navy was held in estimation by other nations. [Cheers.]

"Only one week ago I had the pleasure of seeing the greatest ship that has ever been built in America--a battle-ship which when completed would be able to cope with the greatest ship that England has upon the sea--float from her ways into the Delaware with the name Indiana on her side. [Cheers.]

I will not speak to you of those duties which those years of absence have brought me, nor of their performance. I left you with but one certainty, and I return with the certainty that I had no other motive in my heart than the honor of the flag, the sacredness of the constitution and the prosperity of all our people. [Cheers.]

I come to you again accompanied by a great sorrow, but I trust--and your presence here gives me your witness--unattended by any shame growing out of the discharge of my public duties.

Add to your kindness and to this great welcome which you have extended to me to-day the further kindness of excusing me from attempting to speak to you further.

I shall be glad to carry out the arrangement of the committee and to take as many of you as I may by the hand, and in these days and weeks that are to come to meet you in my home in your homes as opportunity may offer. May God bless you all." [Cheers.]

Long rounds of applause greeted him as he closed.

Gov. Matthews, Mayor Sullivan and others spoke warm words of welcome to the ex-President.

After the speaking the party repaired to the stand under the rotunda, where the ex-President shook hands with the people who filed by. Thousands were turned away unsatisfied, but they had the satisfaction of attending the greatest public reception to any individual Indianapolis has given in years.

The reception lasted about two hours when the party entered carriages and were driven to their homes.