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HON. RUSSELL A.ALGER. 
 
\-\\^ni^a.i^. v-^^ ^ ^ 
 
 "^ u 1 
 
 LATE SENATOR IN THE CONGRESS OF THE 
 UNITED STATES FROM MICHIGAN 
 
 iWetnortal Cjretcises 
 
 Of the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of 
 Michigan in Joint Session, April 10, A. D. 1907 
 
 ^feetcJ) of Senator Alger's Hife 
 
 Compiled Under the Direotion of the Chairman of the Joint 
 
 Memorial Committee and Published by 
 
 Authority of the Leiiislatare 
 
 ^u 
 
 P) ^- 
 

 C ao»^ "^ 
 
 OCT 22 19'»- 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 TABLE OF CONTLNT5 
 
 Introductory .... 
 
 Programme of Mkmoriai, Exercises 
 
 Address by Hon. P. H. Kelly . 
 
 Resolutions 
 
 Letters of Regret 
 
 Address by Hon. Joseph Greusel 
 
 AddrEvSS by Hon. J. C. Burrows 
 
 Address by Hon. Fred M. Warner 
 
 Address by Hon. Don. M. Dickinson 
 
 Address by Gen. H. M. Duffield 
 
 Address by Hon. John T. Rich . 
 
 Sketch of the Life of General Alger 
 
 Proceedings in the Senate and House of 
 Representatives 
 
 5 
 
 7 
 
 9 
 
 II 
 
 13 
 
 21 
 27 
 
 37 
 43 
 65 
 73 
 
 77 
 
 91 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 INTRODUCTORY 
 
 This volume is published by authority of the Legislature 
 of Michigan. In compiling it the chairman of the committee 
 in charge has endeavored to make it a fitting tribute to the 
 distinguished character of the subject of the Memorial exer- 
 cises. On the occasion of the Memorial exercises the Hall of 
 Representatives was filled to overflowing. Nearly every 
 member of the House and Senate answered the roll call, the 
 Governor and his staff were present in uniform, and the 
 Justices of the Supreme Court and all the state officers occupied 
 the space reserved for them. The immediate members of the 
 family of the departed Senator were also present, and the 
 galleries of the hall were crowded with friends from near and 
 far who had come to pay their last respects to the memory of 
 the man who had honored the state in so many prominent 
 positions in life. The volume contains the full text of the 
 addresses on that occasion, together with the Legislative 
 proceedings pertaining thereto, and letters of regret from the 
 President and cabinet officers; also a comprehensive sketch of 
 the life of the late Senator. 
 
 The resolutions adopted in the Joint Convention were 
 handsomely engrossed and presented to the family of the 
 deceased, the receipt of which was graciously acknowledged. 
 The concluding act has been the placing in the Capitol by the 
 family of a handsome life-sized portrait of the distinguished 
 Senator. 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 PROGRAMME OF MEMORIAL EXERCI5E5 
 
 Invocation Chaplain G. H. Jones 
 
 Seventh Regiment United States Infantry 
 
 Address Hon. P. H. Kelly 
 
 Lieutenant Governor of Michigan 
 
 Letters of Regret and Resolutions . Hon. J. Edward Bland 
 
 Chairman Joint Committee 
 
 Address Hon. Joseph Greusel 
 
 Chairman House Committee 
 
 Address Hon. Julius Caesar Burrows 
 
 Senior United States Senator from Michigan 
 
 Address Hon. Fred M. Warner 
 
 Governor of Michigan 
 
 Address Hon. Don. M. Dickinson 
 
 Former Postmaster-General of the United States 
 Address Gen. Henry M. Duffield 
 
 Address Hon. John T. Rich 
 
 Former Governor of Michigan 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 ADDRL55 BY HON. P. H. KLLLY 
 
 Gentlemen: 
 
 We have met here tonight to commemorate the life and 
 character of Russell A. Alger, 
 
 Here in this chamber are assembled private citizens, the 
 State Legislature, the Governor and other civil and military 
 officers of the State, Senators and Representatives in the 
 Congress of the United States, Judges and others of high 
 rank, to pay their sincere tribute to the memory of a good 
 man. 
 
 General Alger was a worthy recipient of high honors 
 from the people of Michigan and from the nation, serving 
 with fidelity in peace and in war — Governor, Secretary of War, 
 United .States Senator, and the choice of the people of his 
 state before at least one National convention for the Presidency 
 of the Nation itself. 
 
 General Alger was always true to Michigan and her 
 interests, and throughout his whole political career Michigan, 
 in return, never once failed him or refused him her allegiance. 
 At times when the public mind was laboring under high ten- 
 sion, other sections of the country may have for the moment 
 doubted his ability to properly discharge the duties of some 
 high place to which he had been called, but here in Michigan, 
 where he had been tried and where we knew him, his char- 
 acter and his ability were never even temporarily called into 
 question. 
 
 It is not for this generation to put a final value upon the 
 services of its own public men. That can safely be done only 
 by those farther removed from the prejudices and the passions 
 of the hour, but v/hen the members of President McKinley's 
 War Cabinet shall have been assigned their true places in 
 history, the Michigan estimate of General Alger will, in 
 my judgment, have been found to be the correct one. 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 But Russell A. Alger, in the flesh, is no more. He has 
 gone the way of all the earth. Wealth, honor, station, associa- 
 tion with Presidents and Cabinets cannot avail to stay the 
 hand of death. He obeyed a like summons and must stand 
 before the same God as the humblest citizens of the republic. 
 
 General Alger has passed out from the presence of men, 
 but the influence of his life, public and private, will continue 
 to live as a part of the treasure of our state. How fortunate 
 it is, that when good men die, the fires they have kindled and 
 the lamps they have lighted do not go out. The living influence 
 of the dead, coming down to us from all the ages of the past, 
 constitute the civilization of the present. 
 
 Jefiferson has gone, but the spirit of the Declaration of 
 Independence still points the way. Hamilton has gone, but the 
 Constitution of the United States continues a living force. 
 Lincoln has gone, but the cause of human liberty moves on 
 from one triumph to another. Moses walked the earth far 
 back in the primitive ages of the world, but the superstructure 
 of the English law rests upon the Ten Commandments. The 
 Son of Man died upon the cross more than eighteen hundred 
 years ago and was laid away in a borrowed tomb, but 
 Christianity has become the greatest moral force in the world. 
 
 We are, therefore, somewhat reconciled to the loss of our 
 great men, for we know, that though dead, the influence of 
 their lives and the purposes of their hearts live on and on, 
 take root in other lives, put new purposes into other hearts, 
 and shape and fashion the lives of generations yet unborn. 
 
 The influence of a noble life, the high purpose of a choice 
 spirit — these do not die. 
 
 "These shall resist the empire of decay, 
 When time is o'er and worlds have passed away ; 
 Cold in the dust the perished heart may lie, 
 But that which warmed it once can never die." 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 RESOLUTIONS 
 
 Senator Bland on behalf of the Joint Committee offered the 
 following Resolutions, which were adopted : 
 
 Resolved, That the Legislature of the State of Michigan 
 expresses its profound sorrow on account of the death of 
 Honorable Russell A. Alger, late Senator from the State of 
 Michigan, at Washington, D. C, at 8:45 ^- ^-^ '^^ the 24th 
 day of January, 1907. 
 
 Resolved, That as a mark of respect to the memory of the 
 deceased, the business of the Senate and House of Repre- 
 sentatives, in joint convention assembled, be now suspended, 
 to enable those associated with him in his civil, military and 
 public career, to pay proper tribute to his high character and 
 distinguished services. 
 
 Resolved, That as a further mark of respect to the 
 memory of the deceased, the joint convention, at the conclusion 
 of the exercises of this day, shall stand adjourned. 
 
 Resolved, Further, That as a mark of the approval by the 
 people of the State, of the life and character of Russell A. 
 Alger and of their devotion to his memory, as well as an 
 expression of their sympathy in their great bereavement, a copy 
 of these resolutions, suitably engrossed, be prepared and trans- 
 mitted to the family of the deceased. 
 
 J. Edward Bland, 
 Charles Smith, 
 Fred. C. Wetmore, 
 
 Senate Committee. 
 Joseph Greusel, 
 J. J. McCarthy, 
 N. W. Burdick, 
 
 House Committee. 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 LLTTLR5 OF REGRET BY HON. J. EDWARD BLAND 
 
 From Hon. Wm. Alden Smith, United States Senator. 
 
 'The Potter." | 
 
 Los Angeles, Cal., April 3, 1907. ) 
 
 Hon. J. Edward Bland, 
 
 and 
 Hon. Jos. Greusel, 
 
 Joint Committee Alger Memorial Service, 
 
 Senate Chamber and House Representatives, 
 Lansing, Mich. 
 
 My Dear Friends: — When your courteous invitation was 
 extended to me to deliver an address on the late Senator 
 Alger before a joint session of the Legislature, State Officers 
 and Supreme Court, my acceptance was conditional upon my 
 returning from California in time to participate in your 
 exercises. 
 
 I find, however, that plans have been made by my father 
 and mother, which it would be difficult to avoid without 
 greatly disappointing them, and in their advanced years, I feel 
 that I. should make every sacrifice for their comfort and 
 happiness. 
 
 It will, therefore, be impossible for me to leave here in 
 time to reach Lansing for the Memorial Service. This I 
 greatly regret, as I appreciate the high honor which you have 
 conferred upon me, and the opportunity thus afiforded to pay 
 my tribute of respect to the life, character and memory of our 
 late Senator. 
 
 It is eminently befitting that the State of Michigan should 
 thus honor its distinguished son, whose heroic struggles in his 
 early life, valor and gallantry in time of war and wise counsel 
 and generous impulses have endeared him to all of the people of 
 
 13 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 our commonwealth, — as he was unselfish, generous and kind, 
 so we should be appreciative of his noble character and ever 
 mindful of his sympathetic and inspiring life, 
 
 I wish you would convey to the Legislature my sincere 
 regret that I am unable to personally join in this service, and 
 express my appreciation of the high honor you have conferred 
 upon me. 
 
 Trusting the occasion may be one to be remembered, I am, 
 with great respect, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 Wm. Alden Smith. 
 
 From Hon. Theodore Roosevelt, President of the 
 United States. 
 
 White House. ) 
 
 Washington, April 5, 1907. ) 
 Hon. J. Edward Bland, 
 State Senate, 
 
 Lansing, Mich. 
 
 My Dear Mr. Bland: — I have your letter of the 3rd inst. 
 I regret I am not able to be present to pay honor to the 
 memory of my valued friend, the late Senator Alger. 
 Sincerely yours, 
 
 Theodore Roosevelt. 
 
 From Elihu Root, United States Secretary of State. 
 
 Department of State. ) 
 
 Washington, D. C, April loth, 1907. f 
 
 Hon. J. Edward Bland, 
 Chairman, 
 
 Lansing, Mich. 
 I regret very much my inability to attend the Memorial 
 Exercises in honor of my good friend, that noble and great 
 hearted general, Russell A. Alger. 
 
 Elihu Root, 
 
 Secretary. 
 
 14 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 From Hon. Charles J. Bonaparte, Attorney-General. 
 
 Office of the Attorney General. ) 
 
 Washington, D C, April 6, 1907. f 
 Hon. J. Edward Bland, 
 
 State Senate of Michigan, 
 Lansing, Mich. 
 
 Dear Sir: — I am in receipt of your letter of the 3rd inst., 
 with enclosed invitation to attend the Memorial Exercises in 
 honor of the late Senator Russell A. Alger. While it 
 would be a source of pleasure to me if I could be able to par- 
 ticipate in this testimonial to the distinguished services in war 
 and peace of the late Senator Alger,, I am compelled to say 
 that the pressure of my official duties will prevent me from 
 doing so. 
 
 Will you be good enough to accept my sincere thanks for 
 your courtesy in the matter? 
 
 Very truly yours, 
 
 Charles J. Bonaparte. 
 
 From Hon. V. H. Metcalf, Secretary of the Navy. 
 
 Navy Department. \ 
 
 Washington, April 6, 1907. ) 
 Hon. J. Edward Bland, 
 Lansing, Mich. 
 Dear Sir: — I have yours of the 3rd inst. In reference to 
 the Memorial Exercises to be held in the Hall of Represent- 
 atives, Lansing, Michigan, on the loth instant, in honor of the 
 late Senator Russell A. Alger. I would like very much 
 indeed to be present on that occasion, if for no other reason 
 than by my presence to indicate my great respect and admir- 
 ation for one who has contributed so much to his country's 
 success. Unfortunately, however, my engagements are such 
 as to prevent my accepting your invitation. 
 
 Very truly yours, 
 
 V. H. Metcalf, 
 
 Secretary. 
 
 15 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 From Hon. Truman H. Newberry, Assistant Secretary 
 OF THE Navy. 
 
 Navy Department, 
 Assistant Secretary's Office, 
 Washington, April 8, 1907. 
 
 My Dear Senator: — I am in receipt of your letter of 
 April 3rd inviting me to attend the memorial exercises in 
 honor of the late Senator Russell A. Alger, at the Hall of 
 Representatives at Lansing, Michigan, on the evening of April 
 loth, at eight o'clock, and I regret exceedingly that my official 
 duties will prevent my presence on that occasion. For this I 
 am really sorry, as I should have felt it a privilege to add a 
 few words of my appreciation and knowledge of the splendid, 
 manly character of the man himself, and of his invaluable 
 service to his country, state and the City of Detroit. 
 
 General Alger's death was a great personal sorrow to 
 me, as it was to everyone who knew him personally, and met 
 him either politically, or in the more intimate relations of 
 business, or in his home life. 
 
 I sincerely trust that I may some day receive a copy of the 
 proceedings of the memorial exercises, and ask that you will 
 explain to the Joint Committee, of which you are chairman, 
 my sincere thanks for being remembered with an invitation, 
 and for an opportunity to express, even in this brief way, my 
 sense of a great personal loss. Yours truly, 
 
 Truman H. Newberry, 
 
 Assistant Secretary. 
 Senator J. Edward Bland, 
 
 Senate Chamber, Lansing, Michigan. 
 
 16 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 From Hon. Geo. Von L. Meyer^ Postmaster General. 
 
 The Postmaster General. ) 
 
 Washington^ April 8, 1907. ) 
 Hon. J. Edward Bland, 
 
 Chairman Joint Committee, 
 Lansing, Michigan. 
 
 My Dear Sir: — Will you please express to the Legislature 
 of the State of Michigan my great regret at being unable to 
 attend the Memorial Exercises in honor of the late Senator 
 Russell A. Alger. 
 
 Believe me. 
 
 Faithfully yours, 
 
 G. VON L. Meyer. 
 
 From Hon. James R. Garfield, Secretary of the 
 
 Interior. 
 
 Department of the Interior. ) 
 
 Secretary's Office. r 
 
 Washington, D. C, April 5, 1907. ' 
 
 To Hon. J. Edward Bland, 
 Lansing, Mich. 
 Dear Sir: — I very much regret that owing to my work 
 here, I find it impossible to accept the invitation of the 
 Legislature of the State of Michigan to attend the Memorial 
 Exercises on April loth, in honor of the late Senator Russell 
 A. Alger. 
 
 Very truly yours, 
 
 James Randolph Garfield, 
 
 Secretary. 
 
 17 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 From Hon. James Wilson, Secretary of Agriculture. 
 
 Department of Agriculture. ^ 
 
 Office of the Secretary. r 
 
 Washington, D. C, April 6th, 1907. ^ 
 
 Hon. J. Edward Bland, 
 
 Senate of Michigan, 
 Lansing, Mich. 
 
 My Dear Sir: — I have the honor to acknowledge with 
 thanks the receipt of your letter of the 3rd inst., transmitting 
 an invitation from the Legislature of Michigan to attend the 
 Memorial Exercises to the late Senator Alger to be held in 
 Lansing on April loth. I would like to be present if public 
 duties would permit, but I fear I cannot. 
 
 I entered President McKinley's cabinet with General 
 Alger. I learned to know him well. Twice a week we met 
 at cabinet meetings and through all the excitement which 
 antedated the Spanish-American war, I observed the great 
 amount of intelligent work he did to get the armies of the 
 United States in condition to serve the country. Many things 
 were well known in those days that have not become history 
 and may not for some time, with regard to the illy-prepared 
 condition of the army, which had they been known, would have 
 silenced the hostility towards the official at the head of the 
 War Department, and also no doubt have given great aid and 
 comfort to the enemy. I learned to know Senator Alger's 
 kindness of heart and broad human sympathies. But good 
 taste prevents me from going into detail with regard to his 
 great work. A cabinet officer's mouth should be closed with 
 regard to the inside facts and policies of the government, 
 not only while he is in office, but during his life time. It is for 
 the historian to go into the secret archives of the government, 
 after the present generation has passed away, and do justice 
 to faithful servants like General Alger, who have not been 
 fully appreciated during their life time. 
 Very truly yours, 
 
 James Wilson, 
 
 Secretary. 
 
 18 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 From Mr. C. C. Wagner, Secretary to Secretary of 
 War Taft. 
 
 War Department. ) 
 
 Washington, D. C, April 6, 1907. [ 
 
 Hon. J. Edward Bland, 
 
 Chairman Joint Committee, 
 State Senate, 
 
 Lansing, Mich. 
 
 My Dear Sir: — In the absence of the Secretary of War, I 
 beg to acknowledge receipt of your favor of the 3rd of April, 
 in which you enclose the invitation of the Legislature of the 
 State of Michigan to attend the Memorial Exercises in honor 
 of the late Senator Russell A. Alger on April loth. 
 
 In reply I beg to say that the Secretary is on a visit to 
 Panama, Cuba and Porto Rico, and will not return until the 
 latter part of the month. While I do not know, of course, 
 whether the Secretary would be able to participate in the 
 ceremonies, were he in the country, I am sure that in view of 
 his high regard for the late Senator, he would have felt honored 
 to give you the desired message. 
 
 Very respectfully, 
 
 C. C. Wagner, 
 Acting Private Secretary. 
 
 19 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 ADDRL55 OF HON. J05LPH GRLU5EL 
 
 Mr. Chairman: 
 
 My acquaintance with Senator Alger began about the 
 time he took up his residence in Detroit. During his term as 
 Governor of Michigan relations became closer, and since then 
 I have observed, at fairly close range, his political career down 
 to the end. An incident attending General Alger's inaug- 
 uration as Governor illustrates his resolute character and his 
 disposition to do whatsoever devolved upon him to do, disre- 
 garding personal comfort, or physical ailment. 
 
 At the time set for the delivery of his inaugural message 
 to the Legislature in joint convention assembled in this his- 
 toric hall, Governor Alger was suffering from a cold which 
 affected his throat and vocal organs. His physician dissuaded 
 him from undertaking personally to address the legislature, 
 the justices of the supreme court, the officers of state and the 
 audience which filled the floor and the galleries. They advised 
 that after a few introductory sentences he should hand the 
 manuscript of the message over to his private secretary, and 
 let the latter complete the reading. To Governor Alger's 
 inquiry as to the vocal exertion necessary to make himself 
 heard in this spacious hall, a reassuring answer — based on 
 the apparent normal strength of his voice — was given. He 
 decided that he would undertake the delivery of the message, 
 expecting to complete it — at any rate, not to give up until it 
 became plain that he must resign the duty to another. 
 
 Accordingly he began the reading in a satisfactory man- 
 ner, and carried it through to the end. His voice grew more 
 flexible as he went on. Perhaps not one in the assemblage, 
 outside of his physician and immediate friends, were aware of 
 the throat trouble which, under similar circumstances, would 
 have imposed silence upon most speakers. It was a character- 
 istic sacrifice, but there were no ill results from the effort. 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 General Alger was a fine horseman — a born cavalry 
 leader. It may be that in the long succession of honors that 
 fell to his share, during his military and civil life, none gave 
 him so much real gratification as his election to be Com- 
 mander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic. This 
 election came to him at the encampment in Milwaukee in 
 1889. 
 
 He entered into this work as a labor of love. It was a 
 congenial duty, and he gave more time to it than any com- 
 mander ever chosen to that honorable position. He traveled 
 from state to state making official inspections — something 
 beyond all that had been accomplished by his predecessors. By 
 this activity he aroused great interest among the old soldiers 
 and was the means of mustering into the ranks of the grand 
 army very many who up to that time had neglected to join. In 
 Michigan — if not in other states — he paid the dues of many 
 who were unable to afiford that small sum. 
 
 His reception on these visits to the G. A. R. posts as com- 
 mander-in-chief were events in the history of the organiza- 
 tion. The soldiers delighted to honor the gallant cavalry gen- 
 eral who then stood at their head. In many cities where 
 Commander-in-Chief Alger paid his visits they made gala 
 days of the occasion. 
 
 In 1890 the national encampment of the G. A. R. was held 
 at Boston. It may be said that this encampment was, in point 
 of numbers, enthusiasm and display, the greatest in the records 
 of the Grand Army. Boston, fortunately situated, the chief 
 city of the New England states, within easy distance of the 
 great Middle States, and so near to the populous portion of 
 the West as to make it accessible, even from the banks of the 
 Mississippi, by a journey not at all fatiguing or unduly long 
 or expensive — Boston, on this occasion, welcomed an army 
 of veterans larger than any city had ever seen since the days 
 of the grand parade at Washington at the close of the war. 
 
 Not only the men of the various branches of the service, 
 and the seamen who manned the ships, during the civil war, 
 who seldom attend encampments held in interior places, were 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 present; but higher officers, also rarely present, such as com- 
 manders of armies, and of army corps, of brigades, of regi- 
 ments — so that every army and probably every battlefield was 
 represented. It was the last appearance of Gen. Tecumseh 
 Sherman, who hugely enjoyed the parade, occupying a special 
 stand crowded with corps commanders and other generals of 
 renown — the last opportunity the old soldiers had of seeing 
 these loved commanders whom they had followed in the ranks 
 of war; — proud, indeed, to pass once more in review before 
 such witnesses. 
 
 Boston, never outdone in preparing for events of this sort, 
 accustomed each year to adorn her streets and edifices for the 
 anniversaries of Lexington and Bunker Hill — was splendidly 
 arrayed to do honor to her guests. It might be said that all of 
 New England, and a goodly share of the population of New 
 York and Pennsylvania, were in Boston to behold the spec- 
 tacle. Certainly in every way it was an inspiring affair ; never 
 to be surpassed, considering the men who were its attraction 
 and upon whose silvering heads the glory of the day was 
 showered. 
 
 I think it was in that respect the grandest day of General 
 Alger's life — though there have been days since 1890 when 
 the hearts of the people in his own state have gone out to him 
 more bounteously and spontaneously — when they have wel- 
 comed him home again from onerous duties ; when they have 
 appreciated his achievements for the national welfare, and 
 made known to the world their affection for, and their pride 
 in, Russell A. Alger. 
 
 General Alger, as commander-in-chief, led the parade 
 of the grand army on that day at Boston. Some friends had 
 furnished for his mount the finest war horse in the East — a 
 spirited, splendid animal, whose mettle and exuberance could 
 only be controlled by a masterful rider. 
 
 The acclamations of the people thronging streets, stands 
 and buildings, greeted General Alger along the line of 
 march, miles in length. For a time they had no eyes for any- 
 one else, the General being well in advance of the line, and his 
 
 23 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 mounted color bearer the regulation distance from his chief. 
 And when Alger took his place in the reviewing stand the old 
 soldiers, post by post, as they marched by, took up the acclaim. 
 It was a day of triumph, joyous and patriotic, excelling, in 
 those sentiments at least, any that old Rome had seen — this 
 march of the men of the old army — in peace, citizens; in war, 
 soldiers; alike valorous and worthy in peace or in war. 
 
 Another triumph came to General Alger in the political 
 campaign of 1896. The issues were marked in that fervent 
 campaign, and the number of wavering and undecided voters 
 was great. The importance of a right decision on the ques- 
 tions at issue were recognized, and both parties were strenuous 
 in spreading their respective doctrines. 
 
 The subject interested the people so generally that discus- 
 sion was continuous. Not alone in regular meetings, but 
 everywhere in public places, streets, shops and offices, many 
 were eager to press their views, and the multitude as eager for 
 enlightenment. Being in this receptive condition it was 
 incumbent upon the well informed to instruct the people so 
 that they might exercise wisely the right of suffrage, thereby 
 to conserve the material welfare of the country and assure its 
 prosperity for the future. 
 
 General Alger saw an opportunity to do such work, and 
 he set about it with his customary energy and enthusiasm. 
 He organized what became known as the 'Tour of the Gen- 
 erals.' It was an expedition, largely at his private expense, 
 which comprised some famous soldiers, who were likewise 
 orators — among them Generals Daniel E. Sickles of New 
 York, O. O. Howard of Vermont, G. A. Harden of Massachu- 
 setts, T. J. Stewart of Pennsylvania, the heroic Corporal 
 James Tanner, with others from time to time assisting, all 
 under the leadership of Alger. 
 
 The tour started from Detroit, September 20, and ended 
 at Philadelphia, October 24, 1896. The expedition traveled 
 8,448 miles. It quite thoroughly went the length and breadth 
 of the states of Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, 
 Iowa, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Indiana, 
 
 24 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 Kentucky, Ohio and Pennsylvania. It visited 255 cities, tov^ns 
 and smaller places, and the generals spoke at 276 different 
 meetings. 
 
 They met with ovations everywhere. For them — what 
 with parades and processions, music, fireworks and all forms 
 of popular welcome — it was a sort of continuous Fourth of 
 July. Beyond doubt it stands at the head of all political tours 
 that have been made, before or since. The results achieved 
 were noteworthy, as the vote at the election demonstrated. 
 The sober-minded people of the land rejoiced again at its 
 preservation, as conspicuous in this great contest of the day of 
 peace as in the danger and the turmoil of war. 
 
 The home life of General Alger was most beautiful. As 
 a citizen he was ever public spirited, ever liberal, and there are 
 thousands who cherish his name as that of a benefactor. 
 
 Detroit from its earliest history has been known for the 
 hospitality of its homes. Among the many mansions in that 
 city there is none whose doors have opened so freely in gen- 
 erous hospitality to stranger and to neighbor as the Alger 
 mansion. In this respect it is truly renowned. 
 
 The highest in the land have been sheltered beneath its 
 roof: presidents, cabinet officers, senators, congressmen, leg- 
 islators, generals, admirals, scholars, authors, painters, explor- 
 ers, inventors, missionaries, philanthropists — men and women 
 of distinction, representative of every pursuit in life. 
 
 Often the comrades of the grand army have upon invita- 
 tion visited it in a body — its honored guests ; often, too, the 
 Newsboys' Association. Probably during the life-time of the 
 Senator no political convention of his party was held in 
 Detroit that those in attendance did not enjoy the pleasures 
 of a reception at this home. It was genuine hospitality, never 
 narrow or restricted; the host and hostess delighted to honor 
 their guests, and were best content to fill the house with 
 friends — old and new. Here, then, in the piping times of 
 peace we may have some glimpses of the man, his employ- 
 ments, his recreations. 
 
 25 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 ADDRL55 OF HON. JULIU5 CAL5AR BURROW5 
 
 Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Legislature: 
 
 It is most fitting tliat you should suspend your ordinary leg- 
 islative functions, and, meeting in joint assembly, pay tribute to 
 the memory of one who held so conspicuous a place in the public 
 regard, in the state and in the nation, as the late Senator 
 Russell A. Alger. Though not to the manor born, yet as an 
 adopted citizen of Michigan, he was for nearly a half a century 
 prominently identified with the interests of the state, and there 
 is scarcely a page of her history after he attained his majority 
 where his name does not appear in honorable mention in con- 
 nection with her civic and military annals. Coming to 
 Michigan in 1859, ^'"^ ^^e full vigor of early manhood, he took 
 up the duties and responsibilities of life and left his impress 
 upon the industrial and commercial development of his adopted 
 state. The field of his activities, however, took a wider range, 
 bringing him in contact with national affairs, in which arena he 
 brought distinction to the commonwealth and achieved for 
 himself an enduring place in the history of his country. 
 
 It is not my purpose to repeat the story of his life. You are 
 all familiar with it, and I commend its lessons to the study 
 and emulation of every young man, ambitious for fame or 
 fortune, with the assurance that it will be to him an unfailing 
 source of inspiration to the highest human endeavor. 
 
 The place Senator Alger held in the national esteem was 
 exemplified by public manifestations of sorrow on the occasion 
 of his death. Upon the announcement of his demise to the 
 Senate, its business was at once suspended, resolutions adopted 
 expressive of the nation's loss, and both Houses of Congress 
 immediately adjourned. His obsequies at the Capitol were 
 attended by the President and members of his Cabinet, the 
 Vice-President, Senators and Representatives, and his body 
 draped in the national colors, escorted to the funeral train with 
 
 27 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 imposing military honors, while the populace stood as silent but 
 impressive witnesses to the general feeling of public sorrow. 
 And so, while the funeral rites were being performed in 
 his home city, his country's flag was set at half mast over 
 every army post in the Republic in token of the nation's loss 
 and respect for its honored dead. But these public manifesta- 
 tions, however impressive and sincere, were, after all, "but 
 the trappings and the suits of woe," soon to pass away and be 
 forgotten. I would, therefore, bring to you, and place in the 
 permanent archives of our state, the more expressive and endur- 
 ing tributes of his colleagues, who, serving with him in the 
 Senate until the hour of his death, can speak from personal 
 knowledge and intercourse, of his life and character. 
 
 Senator Daniel. 
 
 The increasing feebleness of body made each day more and 
 more a burden, and yet in these days of heaviness and sore 
 trial, the very highest, noblest, and bravest qualities of the true 
 man showed themselves in him. He came day by day to his 
 post of duty in the Senate. 
 
 He was composed and calm, looking time and looking death 
 in the face, watching, as it were, the last sands as they poured 
 out of the down-turned glass of life ; like a trained soldier under 
 fire, he showed no wincing. He proved in his conduct and in 
 his bearing that the sense of duty remained constant and pre- 
 dominant in him. If duty be the sublimest word in the lan- 
 guage, surely duty realized and duty done even in the face of 
 death is man's highest and most noble achievement. This is 
 true greatness of soul, and this he displayed. 
 Senator Warner. 
 
 I knew him as a soldier and as a man. As a citizen, he was 
 without reproach. As a soldier, he was without fear. 
 
 Senator Dick. 
 
 He was generous in his charities, but shunned notoriety. 
 He felt the greatest pride in the esteem and love of his own 
 people. He was loved at home by all classes but best loved by 
 the poor of his own city. He was incapable of a dishonorable 
 act. He was true to his friends and his country, always cool 
 
 28 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 and brave and under the most trying circumstances, dignified, 
 unassuming, approachable at all times, considerate to others. 
 He was a man justly honored in state and nation, and his loss 
 outside his family circle will nowhere be more deeply felt than 
 in this body where for years he was an honored member. 
 
 Senator Warren. 
 
 For more than a year prior to his death, there moved among 
 us, participating in our labors, shirking none of the arduous 
 duties attached to membership in this body, one who carried 
 with him knowingly his death warrant. With the quiet 
 courage which marked his whole life work, he uttered no 
 complaint, he showed no anxiety, he asked for no sympathy. 
 He had the hope of being permitted to finish the term of 
 service to which he had been elected, and with this hope 
 actuating him, he put his house in order, continued his daily 
 tasks, and performed his duties quietly, gently, yet with 
 courage, which, as we look back upon the year's work, we must 
 pronounce sublime. The world has admitted the courage of 
 the Spartan youth who bore unmoved the gnawing of the fox 
 at his vitals; but what courage was that compared with the 
 faithful performance of duties from day to day by our col- 
 league, his fate facing him every moment. 
 
 Senator Foraker. 
 
 It was my good fortune to know him intimately for many 
 years. He first attracted the attention of the American people 
 as a dashing cavalry officer in the civil war, where, on account 
 of his own merit and gallant service in the front he rose to 
 high rank, succeeded to important commands, and won great 
 distinction. He was a typical volunteer soldier of the Union 
 army. But, great as are his claims upon us because of these 
 distinguished services, I shall always think of him first because 
 of his excellent qualities as a man. Amid the busy cares of 
 his active life, he never forgot the claims upon him of others. 
 He was one of the most considerate of men. I never knew one 
 freer from envy, jealousy, malice, and every other kind of ill 
 disposition toward others. He was always modest, generous, 
 
 29 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 even tempered, and lovable. From whatever view may be 
 taken of his life, character, and public services, there comes a 
 real inspiration to emulate his example. 
 
 Senator Spooner. 
 
 Senator Alger afforded for all time by his character, 
 indubitable evidence of the possession in full measure of many 
 great and noble qualities. It was a long and toilsome journey 
 from the village in Ohio where, as a youth, unaided by advant- 
 ageous circumstances, he began his struggle, to the eminence 
 upon which he died. No man without noble purposes, well- 
 justified ambition, strong fibre, and splendid qualities in 
 abundance could have carved out and left behind him such a 
 career. His pathway was, from the beginning, upward, and 
 all along it, at every stage of it, he discharged well every duty 
 which manhood could demand ; and all along he scattered with 
 generous hand deeds of kindness and helpfulness to those who 
 were in need, sowing the seed which blossomed in fragrance 
 along his pathway and made it beautiful. 
 
 Mr. President, his career is ended ; his day's work is done. 
 Michigan has made notable contributions to the public service 
 of the United States in civil and military life; she has great 
 treasure in the fame of her public men; but among all her 
 treasure, she will cherish as a precious imperishable jewel the 
 name and fame of Russell A. Alger. 
 
 Nothing I may say can add to the fullness of these 
 encomiums, and yet, there is a single phase of his character to 
 which I desire especially to refer, and that was his exalted 
 patriotism — his supreme love of country — that seemed to per- 
 meate and dominate his whole life. Twice during his lifetime 
 the Republic was involved in the dire calamity of war — once 
 in defense of its own existence — once in defense of the life 
 and liberty of another people. In both these conflicts General 
 Alger bore a conspicuous part. 
 
 The Civil War, involving as it did, the perpetuity of free 
 government in the New World, was the most momentous 
 conflict of the centuries. It was the culmination of the irre- 
 pressible. It marshalled the mightiest armies of modern times. 
 Greater than the Battle of the Nations at Leipsic, or the 
 
 30 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 desperate struggle at Sedan or the historic field of Waterloo, 
 or the late Russian and Japanese War. Into this conflict, he 
 entered with all his soul, shutting the door of opportunity 
 opened to him in civil life, staking all upon the hazard of war. 
 In sixty-six battles and skirmishes, he exemplified his courage 
 and patriotism, winning for himself repeated promotions, 
 until finally, in 1865, he was advanced for gallant and merit- 
 orious services during the war to the high rank of Brevet 
 Major-General of Volunteers. It was on the perilous field of 
 battle where he exhibited the highest attributes of patriotism 
 and won for himself an enduring fame and for his state a just 
 recognition of its devotion to the cause of liberty and country. 
 Senator Doliver. 
 
 Mr. President, the death of Senator Alger has removed 
 from the Senate one of the most attractive and useful men 
 connected with our public affairs. It has been one of the 
 happy experiences of my service here that Senator Alger's 
 desk was next to mine, and that I have had a daily opportunity 
 to enjoy the advantage of intimate conversation and acquaint- 
 ance with him. Long ago, I learned to admire his record both 
 as a soldier and a statesman. I asked him one day after he had 
 told me somewhat of his early struggles and spoken in modest 
 words of the success in business and public life which had come 
 to him, what part of it gave him the most satisfaction, what, 
 among all the things he had tried to do, he thought of with the 
 most pride. He said if he had to leave everything else out, he 
 would prefer to keep the recollection of the years which he had 
 spent in the old Union army defending the flag of his country. 
 And more than once I have heard him say that the greatest 
 office which he had ever held, the distinction among his fellow- 
 men which he prized the most was commander-in-chief of the 
 Grand Army of the Republic, that peaceful, unarmed host, 
 which, in humble quarters scattered throughout the land, pre- 
 serves the traditions of our heroic age. 
 
 On the nth of April. 1898, President McKinley said, in 
 his message to Congress : 
 
 "The long trial has proved that the object for which Spain 
 has waged the war cannot be attained. The only hope of relief 
 
 31 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 and repose from a condition which can no longer be endured 
 is the enforced pacification of Cuba. In the name of human- 
 ity, in the name of civiHzation, in behalf of endangered Amer- 
 ican interests, which give us the right and duty to speak and 
 act, the war in Cuba must stop. In view of these facts and 
 of these considerations, I ask the Congress to authorize and 
 empower the President to take measures to secure a full and 
 final termination of hostilities between the government of Spain 
 and the people of Cuba and to secure in the island the estab- 
 lishment of a stable government capable of maintaining order 
 and observing its international obligations, insuring peace and 
 tranquility and security to its citizens, as well as our own, and 
 to use the military and naval forces of the United States as 
 may be necessary for these purposes. The issue is now with 
 Congress. It is a solemn responsibility. I have exhausted 
 every effort to relieve the intolerable condition of affairs 
 which is at our doors, prepared to execute every obligation 
 imposed upon me by the constitution and the law. I await 
 your action." 
 
 The promulgation of this message dispelled the last hope 
 of a peaceful solution of the controversy, and war became the 
 only alternative. 
 
 It only remained for the Congress to take formal action to 
 put the two governments at war, and on the 25th of April, 
 1898, the following declaration was made: 
 
 "Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Represent- 
 atives of the United States of America in Congress assembled. 
 First, that war be, and the same is hereby declared to exist 
 between the United States of America and the Kingdom of 
 Spain. Second, that the President of the United States be, 
 and hereby is directed and empowered to use the entire land 
 and naval forces of the United States, and to call into actual 
 service of the United States the militia of the several states 
 to such extent as may be necessary to carry this act into effect." 
 
 In the march of these events, it fell to the lot of General 
 Alger, by virtue of his position in the Cabinet of President 
 McKinley, as Secretary of War, to bear a conspicuous part in 
 
 32 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 this international conflict, which was to end Spanish domina- 
 tion and misgovernment in the western world. 
 
 General Alger says in his account of the Spanish- Amer- 
 ican War: 
 
 "Despite the total lack of preparation; despite the failure 
 of the militia to meet expectations in the matter of equipment; 
 despite the natural inertia in the supply bureaus of the War 
 Department, resulting from thirty-three years of peace ; despite 
 the necessity of embarking an expedition to tropical islands 
 of the Atlantic and Pacific, with no provisions at the outset 
 for doing so; notwithstanding these great and new problems, 
 the line and staff of the regular army and the eager volunteers 
 accomplished what it is no vain boast to claim could not have 
 been done by any other nation on the face of the earth, under 
 the same circumstances. All honor for the completeness and 
 celerity of our victory over the Kingdom of Spain belongs 
 to the people of the United States, for the American soldier 
 and the American sailor is but the American citizen in uni- 
 form." 
 
 A heavy burden of responsibility for the successful prose- 
 cution of the war rested upon his shoulders. He met that 
 responsibility with caution, but with courage, and when others 
 wavered or doubted, he was steadfast and confident. 
 
 The commander of the Spanish forces at Santiago pro- 
 posed various terms of capitulation, which those in command 
 of the American forces were inclined sometimes to accept. 
 One of these propositions by the Spanish commander was 
 that he would evacuate Santiago if he could be permitted to 
 march to a safe place with his men and all their baggage, 
 arms and munitions, without being attacked during the march. 
 This proposition was submitted to the Secretary of War, and 
 General Shafter promptly received the following instructions : 
 
 "You will accept nothing but an unconditional surrender 
 and should take extra precautions to prevent the enemy's 
 escape. Your message recommending that Spanish troops 
 be permitted to evacuate and proceed without molestation to 
 Holguin, a place of safety, is a great surprise and is not 
 approved. The Secretary of War orders, when you are strong 
 
 33 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 enough to destroy the enemy and take Santiago, that you do 
 it. If you have not force enough, it wiU be dispatched to you 
 at the earhest moment practicable." 
 
 General Alger remained Secretary of War until the con- 
 flict with Spain was ended, peace declared, and victory assured. 
 It must have been with unfeigned satisfaction that General 
 Alger wrote the following in his history of the war : 
 
 "On the morning of July 17, General Shafter, with his 
 several division commanders and their full staffs, together 
 with 100 men of the Second Cavalry, all mounted, advanced 
 between the lines and received the formal surrender on the part 
 of the Spanish Army of 100 armed men. The Spanish, as 
 prisoners, then marched out, depositing their arms, and at 
 noon our entire army lined up along the trenches and greeted 
 with cheers the raising of the stars and stripes on the Gov- 
 ernor's palace. When the old flag finally floated there, a salute 
 of 21 guns was fired and our bands played 'The Star Spangled 
 Banner.' The campaign in Cuba was at an end." 
 
 Whatever criticism may be passed upon his administration 
 of the War Department, it is a matter of pride that he bore 
 so prominent a part in that great conflict which broke the 
 sceptre of Spanish power in the western world, and ended the 
 domination of kingly government on this hemisphere. 
 
 And in closing, I cannot give a higher exhibition of the 
 patriotism and the lofty spirit of General Alger than by 
 quoting the closing paragraph to the preface to his "Spanish- 
 American War," which ought to cover his critics with con- 
 fusion and fill every patriotic heart with a just pride. He 
 said: 
 
 "Should war ever again come upon this country and find it 
 so totally unprepared as it was in 1898, I hope that those who 
 have been so profuse in their criticisms, and eager to discover 
 faults, may have the patriotism and pride of country to rise 
 above personalities, and, instead of striving to tear down, may 
 endeavor to strengthen the hands of those upon whom the 
 burden may fall and whose only hope of reward is that 
 satisfaction which comes from the consciousness of having 
 
 34 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 labored honestly and unremittingly to serve a government 
 whose tiag has never yet known defeat " 
 
 And, so vvith this pathetic, but patriotic appeal, we take our 
 final leave of Russell A. Alger, soldier, patriot, statesman 
 entrustnig his name and fame, a priceless heritage, to the 
 keepmg of those who are to come after us. 
 
 e^ 
 
 35 
 
I 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 ADDRL55 OF HON. FRED M. WARNLR 
 
 Mr. President: 
 
 I deem it a high honor and a very great privilege to be 
 permitted to participate in these exercises in honor of the 
 memory of one of the most distinguished citizens of this state 
 and nation. It is altogether fitting that the people of Michigan 
 where he lived so long and which he loved so well, and 
 especially those who represent the state in official capacity, 
 should pause to recount his many virtues and bring again to 
 the attention of the youth of our state the story of his simple, 
 faithful, consistent and sucessful life. The lessons taught 
 by such a life cannot be too often or too thoroughly impressed 
 upon the minds of all our people, for in the emulation of the 
 noble example of such men as Russell Alexander Alger 
 lies the hope of our nation and the perpetuity of our free 
 institutions. A few hours after the wires brought the unwel- 
 come announcement of his death at the capitol of the nation 
 on the morning of the 24th of January, the Chief Executive 
 of this state in addressing the people of Michigan by general 
 proclamation, spoke as follows : 
 
 "Descending from New England ancestors, the life of 
 Senator Alger shows a steady ascent to the honorable and 
 important station in which death found him. He was suc- 
 cessively farm laborer, school teacher, lawyer. Captain, Major, 
 Lieutenant-Colonel, Brigadier-General, Governor, Commander- 
 in-Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, Secretary of War 
 and United States Senator from Michigan. 
 
 "It falls to the lot of but few men to serve their state and 
 nation in such exalted stations. In every capacity he rendered 
 faithful, unselfish and valuable service. His duties and 
 responsibilities, whether attached to private or public life, were 
 discharged with integrity and ability and his country will 
 accord him that meed of praise which is justly his due." 
 
 37 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 Now that the lapse of days has given time for mature 
 reflection, I would not change that estimate of the character 
 and services of Senator Alger unless it were to speak with 
 greater emphasis of his enviable record in commercial life and 
 his courageous and effective service in developing and upbuild- 
 ing the peninsular state. 
 
 It is worthy of note that from the time, when a mere child 
 of twelve years, he was left an orphan in the woods of Ohio 
 to struggle for food and clothing not only for himself, but also 
 for a younger brother and sister, to those last days which saw 
 him gracing the council chambers of the nation, his every 
 undertaking was characterized by indomitable will, untiring 
 energy and unquestioned integrity. Whether working as a 
 farm hand for a stipend of five dollars per month, out of 
 which scanty earnings he contributed to the needs of the 
 brother and sister who had been placed in families where there 
 limited services were accepted in exchange for their board, 
 or in the school room or law office, on the field of battle, or in 
 the marts of trade, as chief executive of his state, a valued 
 aid to the President during the stress of war, or in the Senate 
 of the United States, those sterling qualities, which make for 
 success in every undertaking, marked his every action. He 
 was no creature of circumstances, nor were his successes acci- 
 dental. He was made of that stuff which forces success what- 
 ever one's environment or the circumstances and conditions 
 surrounding his endeavor. His triumphs would have been as 
 notable and complete had his lines been cast in none of those 
 places which witnessed the activities of his busy life, but had 
 been fatefully thrown in widely different directions. It is well 
 for the young of our state and country, when contemplating 
 the career of him whose memory we honor this evening, to 
 gather therefrom the impressive lesson that only through faith- 
 ful, untiring, honest effort can success be achieved. It never 
 comes to him who waits. Those of us who know of General 
 Alger's life in Michigan, and especially you who saw him as 
 he went in and out among his friends and neighbors in the 
 city of his home, know how kindly and sympathetic was his 
 nature and how willing he was to aid those less fortunate than 
 
 38 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 he. In his home city, as nowhere else perhaps, his honored 
 name, hke that of Abou Ben Ahdam of the olden-time, easily 
 lead all the rest, for no man more thoroughly and sincerely 
 loved his fellowmen. How constant and unostentatious were 
 the manifestations of this love and sympathy only He who 
 notes all our actions here below may know. We who traveled 
 with him more or less of his life's journey simply know that 
 all along the path he trod, men, women and children, some in 
 the so-called higher walks of life, but a far greater number in 
 more humble stations, rise up this night to call him blessed 
 because of his good deeds. When, in the later years of his life, 
 a burden unparalleled in history was thrust upon him almost 
 without warning, he took it up with the same fortitute, 
 courage, and vigor which had characterized all his undertak- 
 ings. How well he met this emergency, those in a position to 
 know and appreciate the obstacles with which he was beset, 
 freely testified at the time, and now that they have taken time 
 to make a careful canvas of the situation even his most merci- 
 less critics of the hour, frankly admit. It is always, you know, 
 the person without knowledge of the situation or responsibility 
 in the premises, who is the most savage critic and who knows 
 just how any duty should be discharged by another. 
 
 In this connection, permit me to refer to an incident in 
 which a friend of mine figured late in the fall of 1902. This 
 friend had occasion, as a member of a committee representing 
 a national organization, to call on Mrs. William McKinley 
 at her home in Canton. The journey from Cleveland to 
 Canton and return was made in the private car of Senator 
 M. A. Hanna, who had as his guest Secretary Root, who was 
 also journeying to Canton to pay his respects to the widow of 
 the martyred President. During that journey both the Senator 
 and the then Secretary of War, at different times during the 
 day sought an opportunity to say to the Michigan man to 
 whom I refer that General Alger was perhaps the greatest 
 Secretary of War this country ever had, that he accomplished 
 marvelous results and that the day would come when the world 
 would freely give him full credit for the great work he 
 wrought. This was the voluntary testimony of men who 
 
 39 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 knew whereof they spoke. The day which they foresaw has 
 already dawned, for all the people now concede the vastness 
 of the achievements of Russell A. Alger as Secretary of 
 War. 
 
 On his return from Canton, the Michigan man called upon 
 Senator Alger and related what the two statesmen had told 
 him. Tears welled up in the eyes of the Senator as he simply 
 said, "Thank you." There was no boasting, no exultation that 
 might have been expected from one who had been so sorely 
 maligned when he heard these words of commendation and 
 praise. He was the same modest, unassuming man as of old, 
 happy and content in the conviction that he had done his duty 
 faithfully and well. 
 
 And I count it as one of the noblest acts of the people of 
 this great state that, with one accord, they gave to the world 
 their estimate of the slanders that had been heaped upon this 
 faithful public servant, by promptly returning him to the 
 United States Senate. 
 
 Speaking of Senator Alger's home life, one who knew 
 him well recently said : 
 
 "All of us have heard, and from many sources, of the 
 beautiful home life of General Alger and of the happy lives 
 that were lived by those nearest and dearest to him under his 
 roof. To that fortress of the heart, the home, we turn always 
 in our troubles, and to that we turn instinctively as we seek 
 to know those who have gone forth into life's battle to bear 
 life's burdens. The husband, the father, the friend had the 
 capital of his life in his home. Thither bore he his trophies. 
 Thither he returned when the weariness of the strife came on. 
 There his friends ever found welcome, and there he was him- 
 self in the finest phase of his nature." 
 
 Many of you here tonight who were his neighbors for years 
 know how truthful is every word of this touching tribute. 
 The people of the city in which he lived so long well know 
 that it was in his home and among his neighbors that opportun- 
 ity was given to observe the manifestations of the finest and 
 tenderest elements of his nature. After all, that is the true test 
 of a man's character. What he is by his hearthstone, sur- 
 
 40 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 rounded by those nearest and dearest to him, that he is and will 
 be in all the experience of life. Tested in this crucible, 
 Russell Alexander Alger was gentle, noble, manly and 
 true. It has been well said that : 
 
 "Michigan has made many notable contributions to the 
 public service of the United States in civil and military life; 
 she has great treasure in the fame of her public men; but 
 among all of her treasures she will cherish as a precious, 
 imperishable jewel the name and fame of Russell A. Alger." 
 
 e^ 
 
 41 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 ADDRL55 OF HON. DON M. DICKINSON 
 
 Mr. President: 
 
 In the time alloted to me, even were it needful, I should 
 attempt — not so much as a biographical sketch, of the illus- 
 trious American of whom we are to speak tonight. 
 
 The public career of Russell A. Alger is indelibly set 
 down in the history of the Republic. His countless good 
 deeds are recorded in the hearts of his countrymen. 
 
 Every assault upon his public acts in time of peace, and in 
 time of war, has long ago — and happily — in his lifetime, 
 been refuted by those (other than himself) who searched for, 
 found and made known to all the world the records touching 
 the period and subjects of the matter involved. 
 
 Nay, not only were the charges refuted, but in every 
 refutation itself it has been demonstrated that such charges, 
 one and all, originated in, and were themselves, the shafts of 
 envy, jealousy, hatred, malice, and all uncharitableness. 
 
 And yet I set it down as a truth which never in his lifetime 
 was, and now that he is dead, never can be challenged, that 
 whatever offense was put upon him, that in whatsover he was 
 belied by the pen or tongue of envy, malevolence, or malice, no 
 spirit of vengeance, no vindictive hatred of any of his fellow- 
 men ever found root or lodgment in his generous and gallant 
 heart. To this exceptional characteristic of the man I call 
 all who knew him well, and his own acts, as witnesses; and 
 among many others, last but not least, I put upon the stand 
 the "History of the Spanish-American War from March 5th, 
 1897, to August I, 1899." Under the personal supervision, 
 direction and plans of Secretary Alger as our side of that 
 conflict was, as is now conceded, the annals of the earth's 
 peoples, from the earliest period of recorded time until now, 
 disclose no war betw^een nations of equal or of any rank 
 that was ever so speedily prepared for, or more ably and 
 
 43 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 successfully directed from the seat of government, or so 
 speedily ended, with more brilliant success and signal victory 
 than the Spanish-American War, — fought 'round the world 
 in one hundred and thirteen days, against the haughtiest of 
 powers, and until then, one of the leading military nations of 
 Europe. 
 
 Remembering the bitter assaults upon his administration 
 and upon him personally; remembering the enemies who 
 snarled, snapped and dragged at his heels throughout the con- 
 test — always assailing him in the back, and even then under 
 cover — and then recalling the complete refutation of every 
 charge, of every attack, of every shadow of reflection upon 
 his character, of every slander upon the man, and then read 
 his own account of the war from the preparation and from 
 its beginning to its close, and find, if you can, a word of 
 bitterness, of counter assault, nay, even of unkindness against 
 any of the pack, which from the first to last sought and strove 
 to cripple and drag him down; nay, unto the last, to utterly 
 destroy the Nation's confidence. 
 
 Bitter and pitiless and untrue as were the attacks upon 
 him, and the charges against him, in the conduct of that war, 
 yet from cover to cover of its History written by General 
 Alger there can be found no recrimination against those who 
 endeavored to bring him low and drive him from his position 
 in disgrace; but on the contrary, wherever credit should be 
 given by the impartial historian, full credit and full honor is 
 there given for their creditable acts and creditable judgment, 
 to the very men who were the direct or indirect authors of 
 the unfounded attacks upon him. A man of the highest honor, 
 and most scrupulous in the discharge of duty, those of us who 
 knew him well, and loved him, know that he never recovered 
 from the wounds made by the slanders of that period. But he 
 held steadfastly to his duties through it all. This man who as 
 Secretary of War on the declaration of hostilities April 25, 
 1898, found his government unequipped in all branches of the 
 service — cavalry, artillery and infantry, distributed over the 
 entire country, with but 26,040 men of all arms; and these 
 with no preparations for the field whatever! 
 
 44 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 Within one hundred days he placed in the field, including 
 the number just mentioned, 275,000 men, armed them, 
 equipped them, fed them, and fought the war until complete 
 victory was everywhere in sight. It had been thirty-three 
 years since the country had been engaged in war. His task 
 within the time was a stupendous one, and his success in the 
 conditions was one of the most remarkable in history. 
 
 His friend, Senator Spooner, says of him : 
 
 "At a period when the slanders of his character and of his 
 "acts were at their worst, I called upon him one morning in the 
 "War Department during the war with Spain, and as he 
 "walked from the little gathering of people he staggered with 
 "physical weakness. His face was as white as it was as he 
 "lay in his coffin, but — his eyes were bright. I begged him to 
 "go to his home, and he made this characteristic response, 'This 
 "is my place !' I speak of it now to show that wonderful spirit 
 "and characterisitic devotion to duty which was the law of 
 "his life, to stand at the post to which duty had assigned 
 "him; and there can never be anywhere or in any time a more 
 "beautiful illustration of that spirit and sense of duty than 
 "that which he exhibited in the later period of his life while 
 "Senator of the United States." 
 
 In several of the eulogies pronounced upon General 
 Alger after his death it has been said, "He was born in the 
 State of Ohio of humble parentage." Rather should it be 
 said, coming as he did from good old Scotch and English 
 stock, that he came of that proud and sturdy race of workers 
 whom God gathered and appointed to found a new nation on 
 American soil, — this great and invincible Republic. The men 
 and women of the generation of Alger's father and mother 
 were placed here because, as Emerson hath it : 
 
 "God had said, — 
 I am tired of Kings, 
 I suffer them no more ; 
 Up to my ear the morning brings 
 The outrage of the poor. 
 
 45 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 Call the people together, 
 
 The young men and the sires, 
 
 The digger in the harvest field. 
 
 The hireling and him that hires; 
 
 I will have never a noble, — 
 
 No lineage counted great ; 
 
 Workers, and choppers, and woodmen, — 
 
 Shall constitute a state." 
 
 Russell A. Alger was a chivalric man in all his relations 
 in life, in peace as well as in war. 
 
 One of the last of the real knights of chivalry was Sir 
 Philip Sydney; gentle, gracious, of Norman blood, but of 
 kindly deeds as well. A man of rank, indeed, but withal, a 
 man of gold. A knight of valor — terrible in battle; but who 
 at night sought for, searched out, found and succored his 
 enemy dying among the slain on the deserted battlefield of 
 the day. A lover who was like the one at the siege of Acre, 
 who kissed the first ray of sunlight in the morning as it 
 glistened from the cross of his sword hilt, praying that it might 
 perchance shine upon the fair head of his lady before sunset 
 in far away England — and then turned to the stern battle of 
 the day. A joyous man ; but always saddened by human sorrow, 
 — a strong, a vigorous, a strenuous man, if you please, but as 
 sweet and tender to a weeping child as a weak woman. 
 
 It is the beginning of the Twentieth Century, and yet we 
 have just laid to rest, in our midst, as knightly a man as Sir 
 Philip Sydney; his heart was as tender, his gentle deeds as 
 many. His thoughtfulness of the weak and the poor as 
 constant, his purposes as high; his bravery as intrepid and 
 superb. He, too, carried in his knightly crest the token of his 
 lady. That Lady was the genius of the man. His helpmeet 
 above all ; with him, — 
 
 "One word could charm all wrongs away — 
 The sacred name of Wife." 
 
 As Byron hath it : 'To no men are such courtly greetings 
 given as those whose wives have made them fit for heaven." 
 Truly, this man whom we have loved and appreciated in 
 
 46 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 life was this, our own Sir Pliilip Sydney, gentle, tender, and 
 true — a true knight, "without fear and without reproach." 
 
 Do you know what Alger in his heart thought was one of 
 our chief gains in the Spanish- American war? It was not in 
 the conquest of territory, or the capture of men, ships and 
 military stores, but in the union of the soldiers of the North 
 and the South in the cause of one common country, and in one 
 union of hearts against a foreign foe. He speaks in his book, 
 in reference to the call of volunteers, of the overwhelming 
 tenders of service from the "Veterans of Grant and of Lee,"- 
 and says: "Federals and Confederates alike were especially 
 insistent, and their applications were as universal as they were 
 enthusiastic. The question was not what states would be 
 called upon for troops, but how many of the thousands of men 
 applying could be accepted." One great result was a living- 
 union of hearts of all our fellow countrymen. North and South, 
 under the flag — a union which was cemented by our common 
 blood. But in this war, too, the first foreign war in which we 
 had engaged since the Republic had become a strong nation, 
 we gained the wholesome respect of all the nations of the 
 earth. We gained for the individual citizen, and for his 
 interests everywhere, that needed protection from all nations, 
 through acquaintance with our flag, knowledge of the power 
 behind it, and of the certain menace of its appearance wherever, 
 on land or on sea, an American should be oppressed, or his 
 fair rights infringed. When before in our history, and before 
 this conclusive evidence of our preparedness and resources for 
 immediate conflict, and of our mighty strength on land and 
 ocean, would the suggestion of our mediation between first- 
 class powers of the old world have been tolerated. 
 
 Nay, because of the demonstration of that commanding 
 strength in the eyes of all the Earth we now stand, in the 
 opening decade of the new century, with our vision extend- 
 ing over and beyond the place where the sun sets in the great 
 highway of Pacific commerce ; we see the golden gate swing 
 open to the trade of the world ; we can see the sheen of the 
 Southern Cross far and away to the south of the Gulf and of 
 Cuba and Porto Rico, and to the north our far sight now 
 
 47 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 takes in the prophecy in the skies, in that great banner, when it 
 is first shaken out, floating to the zenith, flecked with blue, 
 spangled with white stars, and streaked with streamers of red ! 
 Its prophecy is of another hundred years of ever increas- 
 ing advancement. As the sun of the new century rises 
 higher and higher, we see by its rays the same highway spread 
 before us for another stage, another century of safe and 
 wholesome growth, healthful, expansive and splendid progress. 
 That highway has a name, and that name is — "Manifest 
 Destiny !" 
 
 Whenever the history of this mighty change in our position 
 in the family of nations is written in the years and centuries 
 to come, on that historic scroll must appear the name of the 
 farmer lad of Ohio; he whom his worthy successor in the 
 Senate of the United States has, before that august body, 
 proudly described as "Laborer, lawyer, soldier, and states- 
 man !" 
 
 In all the public speeches and public writings touching 
 his career since General Alger's death the two leading facts 
 most often referred to have been his early poverty, and his 
 ultimate riches. To those with whom he spoke most freely 
 of his life, the mere fact of his early poverty was not of itself 
 the reason for his indomitable industry or, standing by itself, 
 not the motive which led to his achievement of material 
 wealth. His sincere belief was that the foundation of this 
 Republic was divine in its origin and purpose, and that God 
 intended that in America every man should have an equal 
 chance, if he but chose to avail himself of it, and he saw 
 clearly and appreciated fully that one had but to avail himself 
 of the opportunities so divinely ordered to achieve success. 
 
 From the earliest period he sincerely believed that to 
 attain success a man must live cleanly, deal honorably, and use 
 the results of his industry, never for oppression, but always, 
 as far as possible, having done justice to those having claims 
 upon him, the surplus should he devoted to the betterment 
 of those about him, and never under any circumstances to 
 the detriment of any of God's less fortunate, within his 
 reach. 
 
 48 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 A Senator from Iowa who was his friend said of him on 
 the Senate floor after his death : 
 
 "I do not know how great General Alger's financial for- 
 "tune actuahy was. , . . But whatever it was, there 
 "was no stain of dishonor upon it. It represented the capacity, 
 "the patient industry, and the genius for affairs which has 
 "never been without honor in the world of business. It would 
 "be hard to find a better test of the real character of the man 
 "than to observe how little his wealth affected his manners; 
 "how slight its impression upon his daily walk and conversa- 
 "tion; in short, how much greater the man was than his 
 "possessions. ... A rich man with his heart full of love 
 "to humanity is God's best gift to modern society." 
 
 I have been at some pains to learn more than I knew of the 
 early life of the man whom we commemorate here tonight, 
 and the testimony I cite is that of Judge J. A. Kohler, a lead- 
 ing lawyer of the State of Ohio, now living at Akron. He 
 knew our friend's parents and relatives; and he testifies to 
 the very many friends he acquired, not only in the neighboring 
 County of Medina, where he was born, but also in and about 
 the City of Akron, in Summit County. I have learned from 
 Judge Kohler that General Alger obtained a thoroughly 
 good education in what was called a high school, of the town 
 of Richfield — a school, as the Judge tells me, "modeled after 
 the New England Academy." So well qualified was he by 
 education that when, in 1855 or '56, he entered the law ofiice 
 of Wolcott & Upton, at Akron, as a law student, he was 
 sought for and engaged to teach a district school in that 
 vicinity, and thereby helped to pay his way while preparing 
 for admission to the bar, which occurred in 1859, when he was 
 admitted to practice in the same class and at the same time 
 with my informant, Judge Kohler. After his admission young 
 Alger removed to Cleveland — a fact, I believe, not before 
 publicly mentioned. He achieved such a measure of success 
 that thereafter he was enabled, while supporting other mem- 
 bers of his family, to remove to Grand Rapids, and there, his 
 success continuing, he was enabled to marry that devoted wife, 
 who was ever after his refuge, his comforter, and liis solace, in 
 
 49 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 all the troubles of his busy and eventful life, and in whose 
 presence he found that rest and peace throughout his strenu- 
 ous career which nature demanded. 
 
 His chief recreations were with her and his family. He 
 was sought for as a member of and joined the social clubs of 
 his fellows wherever he lived, and supported them generously, 
 but his presence in their rooms, except upon quasi-public 
 occasions, was rare. I remember that on one occasion when, as 
 it chanced, I was President of the Detroit Club, then the 
 leading social club of that city, the General came to me and 
 said: 
 
 "I want you to do something for me; I am a member of the 
 "Detroit Club, but somehow I don't give it that support which 
 "I feel is due from me, because I consider it a necessity for 
 "Detroit, and a good thing, in every way, for our young men, 
 '"as well as for all men ; but you know well enough I cannot 
 "keep away from my wife and family when I am free from 
 "work; I get my rest there. Now, I want you to get your 
 "Board to assess me besides my regular dues for as much at 
 "least as the average member pays in for the support of the 
 "institution." My answer was, "I promise to mention the 
 matter to the Board, and I think you will get your answer. 
 General." I kept my word, and was instructed by the Board 
 to answer him that he was giving every day a support to the 
 Club which more than satisfied everyone. Later, Russell A. 
 Alger was unanimously elected to the presidency of the Club. 
 And throughout his busy life he continued to find rest by the 
 side of his helpmeet, and so, at the last, death found him there, 
 at peace, radiant and ready. Surely in that presence, ever, as 
 wrote the sweetest of poets, — 
 
 His "nights were filled with music, 
 "And the cares that infest the day, 
 "Folded their tents like the Arabs, 
 "And as silently stole away." 
 
 Judge Kohler goes on to tell me of those early days thus : 
 
 "It is needless to say that General Alger was always held 
 
 "by the people of this county respected and admired for his 
 
 50 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 "noble qualities of heart and mind. He was a courageous and 
 "true man in every sense of the word, and generous to a fault. 
 "I remember, too, and especially well, that Alger in those 
 "years was especially fond of music." 
 
 Senator Dolliver of Iowa has referred to General 
 Alger's spotless honor and strict integrity during his long and 
 brilliantly successful business career. It should be said that 
 though he attained great wealth, no penny of it, no dollar of it, 
 was touched or stained by any dishonorable act or deed. 
 Neither before nor after his becoming a wealthy man would 
 he receive or permit any of the numberless enterprises in which 
 he was interested to receive a dollar beyond the original cost 
 of the raw material, of its treatment by his mills and factories, 
 and the cost of transportation and a fair profit upon his 
 purchases, and upon the always liberal amounts in salaries and 
 wages paid out to the thousands of men engaged upon his 
 many ventures. Not from the beginning to the end of his 
 business activities did he enter a combination, or a trust that 
 paid him more than this. Never in his whole career, and with 
 all his wealth, was he engaged, nor did he permit his partners 
 or associates to engage, in any scheme of legislation which 
 might give him more than this. Although a shrewd bargainer, 
 a close buyer, and a seller in the highest market he could find, 
 it cannot be said of him by any man, be he living or dead, that 
 he ever took undue advantage of any one. 
 
 I have said that he never harbored a spirit of revenge. 
 Nay, he never took the punishment of one who had dealt un- 
 fairly with him into his own hands, but preferred to leave 
 such a man to the reproach of his own conscience, and, to my 
 knowledge, did in certain cases turn men, by whose wrongful 
 acts he had suffered, to the true practice of that tried and true 
 proverb, "Honesty is the best policy." 
 
 Everyone within the sound of my voice doubtless knows 
 that Alger was a large buyer of timber acreage, not only in 
 Michigan, but in other states of the northwest, in Canada, and 
 very largely in the Southern and Pacific States. He was the 
 first, or at least one of the first men to build hundreds of miles 
 of railroad for the purpose of reaching his pine, where there 
 
 51 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 were no streams to float the logs to deep water. In the 
 instance to which I refer, he had purchased hundreds of 
 thousands of acres, and supposed that he had secured nearly 
 as much more from an owner of a tract of pine land adjacent 
 to this first purchase. He built mills according to the number 
 and capacity needed for the prompt cutting of the pine, for 
 logging roads, and other needs, all of a capacity greater than 
 was ever before known. He had completed seventy-five miles 
 of perfect railroad for logging this pine to his mills, besides 
 particular and other equipment for transportation to market, 
 of the greatest capacity then known, and had engaged, as usual, 
 an army of men for cutting and hauling in the woods, and 
 working elsewhere. All this had been done before Alger had 
 closed his deal for the pine land neighboring his own, of which 
 I have spoken, altho nothing remained to be done as to the 
 bargain, except the passing of the deeds from the owner to 
 Alger, and payment of the purchase price. He had as much 
 confidence in the word of the owner as if the deed had been 
 made over and the money paid. But singular to relate, 
 altho engaged in many such immense business transactions 
 he trusted men like this, and told me afterward that never 
 since the transaction I refer to or before it, had he been 
 betrayed. But a certain firm of large capital and credit having 
 learned that no title had actually passed, tempting the owner 
 by the offer of a somewhat higher price, succeeded in getting 
 the latter to break his word to Alger and sell to them by a 
 contract providing a payment down with their notes for the 
 balance. The buyer and the seller were within their legal 
 rights, of course, and Alger for the time, lost that purchase. 
 Soon after the transaction had been closed and the purchasing 
 firm had entered upon the winter cutting of the timber, which 
 General Alger had included in his own estimates for provid- 
 ing the purchase price, for the building of the railroad to 
 reach it, and the building of the mills and the other equipment 
 of capacities before stated for handling this and his other pine, 
 there commenced a period, lasting two or three seasons, when 
 pine and long and short timber became depressed and dull. 
 The time of the occurrence was between 1890 and 1895. The 
 
 52 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 entire market for a variety of reasons which it would take too 
 long- to detail, but which many here will remember, became 
 panicky, and finally without bottom. Men with outstanding 
 notes for purchases went to the wall in many cases. In other 
 cases banks refused to renew, and many mill owners and timber 
 owners were on what is called the ragged edge. Of this 
 number, as it turned out, was the firm who had driven the 
 sharp bargain and cut Alger out of his purchase. Their notes 
 were renewed once or twice, and then the original bank hold- 
 ing this paper declined to renew more than a quarter. Dis- 
 counts were sought in other banks, and these failing to accept 
 paper, the makers paying large discounts to brokers, and put- 
 ting up mortgages and other additional securities as collateral, 
 got the last discount possible at home or at the east, with but 
 sixty days within which to turn. Other debts pressed upon 
 the makers of this paper, and whichever way they turned 
 failure seemed to stare them in the face. They offered the pine 
 lands of which I have spoken as taken from General Alger 
 to investors at cost price, and finally at far less than cost price, 
 without takers. They finally oft'ered the timber cut at the last 
 winter's cutting at 50% of the cost price and found no takers. 
 General Alger learned of their condition through agency 
 reports and by special information derived from banks and 
 bankers and finally through one or two attorneys. To make 
 a long story shorter, the owners, through a third party, ap- 
 proached General Alger, stating to him that for a certain 
 consideration he could buy the lands at the price which Alger 
 had originally offered for them. This was declined at the 
 time, and within that fatal sixty days the same lands were 
 offered first, at 80% of the original cost, and later at 75% 
 of that cost, and still later at 60%. The time arrived when 
 the sixty days had but twenty to run, then but ten. The offer 
 of these lands and of others more valuable belonging to the 
 same parties were pressed upon the market at cheaper and 
 cheaper prices. Five days later, when the sixty days had but 
 five more days to run, or eight days with the grace, a man 
 whom we will call A. entered the office of the firm in a western 
 city, and offered them 100% for the lands, the price at which 
 
 53 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 they had purchased them. They accepted, but stated that there 
 had been a cutting of timber from the lands which, at the cost 
 price of the timber, added to the cost of the cutting and winter 
 camps, would amount to the sum of between fifty and seventy 
 thousand dollars. This they said frankly had been offered at 
 50% of the value of the timber. Mr. A. responded that he 
 would bring over the deeds and would like to have the wives 
 of the members of the firm present to execute them promptly 
 within two days, naming the time. On the day and hour set 
 the partners and their wives were in the office and there found 
 A. with deeds prepared for the lands, and also with a bill of 
 sale made out in due form covering the timber cut by the 
 firm with a guaranty of the number of feet and its proper 
 description, lying in the woods ready for hauling. On pre- 
 senting the deeds for the signatures of the partners and their 
 wives, they read them, compared them with their own descrip- 
 tions, found them correct as to the descriptions, and then, and 
 not till then, was their attention called to the name of the 
 grantee, and they read there with an expression of amaze- 
 ment and of some trepidation the name of Russell A. Alger. 
 This was deepened when they, passing them from one to 
 another, found the consideration in the deeds aggregated the 
 full amount they originally paid for the land, less the amount 
 of timber cut, and the bill of sale was of all the timber cut, 
 describing it, and the consideration there named was the full 
 100% for the price of the timber, including the cost of cut- 
 ting; the name of the vendee in that bill of sale was also found 
 to be Russell A. Alger. The deeds were signed by the 
 gentlemen and their wives, the bill of sale was signed by the 
 firm, A. handed over cheques for the total amounts, signed by 
 Alger, Smith & Company, pocketed the deeds and the bill of 
 sale. It was payment in full. Within thirty minutes three 
 gentlemen called on General Alger at his hotel. Mr. A. was 
 present. The callers were the three members of the selling firm. 
 The General said, "Hello, boys, what can I do for you ?" No 
 one of the partners was able to speak, when the General said, 
 "Why, gentlemen, don't you remember when you met me after 
 your purchase from (the original owner who had 
 
 54 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 broken faith with General Alger), that I told you I would 
 get even with you?" The answer was, "General Alger, we 
 deserve bad instead of good treatment, but you do not know 
 what you have done for us. But for this Godsend at your 
 hands, we should have been bankrupt, and everything we 
 owned on earth woud have gone from us," "Well," said the 
 General, "that is better than I supposed it was. I have got 
 more than even with you !" Then he shook hands with them 
 all, wished them Godspeed and good luck, saying : "Well, I 
 will make a handsome profit on this deal with you, and I 
 wouldn't take more than that, especially as it is going to keep 
 you out of a hole. If you need any help, don't sacrifice your 
 holdings before coming to me." This is a true story, and 
 throughout the General's business life he helped men as he did 
 in this case, and he helped all men in every rank, in hard luck, 
 whenever he could — and the story of such generous acts 
 throughout his life were never told by him. 
 
 The brilliant career of General Alger in the war between 
 the states is one known almost by heart to the student of 
 American history. There are a few incidents — and every inci- 
 dent adds to the splendid record — which are not so familiar 
 — all adding lustre to the story of his courage, his gallantry, 
 his knighthood, and his grand patriotism. To no one is that 
 career better known than to the gallant men who fought side 
 by side, or front to front, in that great conflict. The proof of 
 this, so far as the North is concerned, is the action of that 
 splendid body of veterans, who, when a malicious attempt was 
 made to smirch his glorious record, responded as one man by 
 electing him by unanimous vote to the highest position within 
 their gift — that of Commander of the Grand Army of the 
 Republic; and from the South, we have the eulogiums pro- 
 nounced after his death by great soldiers of the South in both 
 Houses of Congress. But some incidents have not been 
 printed, and one of these should be written in letters of gold. 
 I first heard of it from a member of the staff of another 
 Michigan man whose name shed glory upon Michigan, and 
 whose deeds shed honor upon the arms of the United States 
 which was reflected throughout the world. I refer to Mich- 
 
 55 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 igan's Paladin, that great cavalry chief, General George A. 
 Custer, a name directly connected with the incident I am about 
 to relate. Alger had been with Custer in the terrible battle of 
 Gettysburg, and for his brave deeds there, his unflinching 
 courage, and his influence upon the battle in defense of our 
 flag, the history and the just mead of praise are found set out 
 in his report by Custer, of that battle. The same report so 
 effectively and brilliantly presented on the floor of the House in 
 the eulogy pronounced upon General Russell A. Alger by 
 own own congressman — of the first-class already, in his short 
 term of service — Hon. Edwin Denby. Afterwards, Alger was 
 with Sheridan in the furious fights in the Shenandoah valley. 
 Pending a pause in the great advance of Grant, Alger was 
 smitten with fever, and was advised, nay, ordered by his com- 
 mander, to proceed at once to the nearest hospital, so that he 
 might recover and be ready when the great conflict should be 
 on again. This stroke of illness is also referred to by Mr. 
 Denby in the same speech to which I have referred. I was 
 told of these facts, too, by the member of Custer's staff whom 
 I have mentioned, but I was also told by him that during 
 Alger's confinement in hospital, the news came to him that his 
 own brigade of cavalry, together with Gregg's brigade, had 
 been cut off from the main body by a far superior force of the 
 enemy, the latter embracing General J. E. B. Stewart's cavalry, 
 three batteries, and a superior force of infantry supporting the 
 artillery. The condition had been brought about by the ad- 
 vance of Sheridan with his entire cavalry corps to open the 
 Wilderness campaign, and that corps had started on a raid 
 toward Richmond in the rear of Lee's army. The movement 
 was well advanced before Lee discovered it, so that the forces 
 mentioned had succeeded in capturing Beaver Dam station on 
 the Virgina Central Railroad, where our forces, by a rapid 
 movement, recaptured a trainload of prisoners on their way to 
 Richmond, who had been taken in the Wilderness campaign. 
 Moreover, we destroyed a vast amount of commissary and 
 other stores, engines, cars, tracks, stations, etc. At this point 
 our rear was harassed by Fitz Lee's command, until at Ashland 
 our cavalry forces, which had been detached from the main 
 
 56 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 body in the pursuit, were confronted by Lomax's brigade, 
 whom our forces pressed toward Yellow Tavern. Our forces 
 made there a determined stand. These details thus far have 
 refreshed my memory as to the account by the member of 
 Custer's staff, before referred to, and they have been given me 
 by Honorable John C. Fay, one of the best lawyers of high 
 standing in the City of Washington, who at that time though 
 but 1 6 years of age, was in the Union army, and an eye-witness 
 of all the movements here related. The Michigan brigade was 
 in the woods and nearest to where the Confederate batteries 
 had been planted, and to the west of that command. Fay was 
 in Davies' brigade of Gregg's division. "The Michigan 
 cavalry brigade," says Fay, "was in the woods, and nearest 
 "to where the batteries had been planted." He proceeds : 
 "We were engaged with a part of Fitz Lee's command in our 
 "rear, with Lomax and J. E, B. Stewart in our front, with the 
 "Michigan boys to, the west. My regiment was not then en- 
 "gaged, but I could hear firing in front, rear, to the left 
 "and to the right, over beyond where the Michigan boys 
 "were. The situation seemed to me very uncomfortable, 
 "for the firing clearly indicated that at this time we were com- 
 "pletely surrounded." Mr. Fay goes on to say, notwithstanding 
 this position, no one seemed concerned about it, as everyone 
 said, " 'Gregg will never get us in a place he cannot get us out 
 of.' " While in this position, and quite surrounded, the records 
 disclose that the batteries of the enemy returned to close quar- 
 ters, and opened a furious shelling of the woods where the 
 Michigan boys were resting. Then a Confederate line ad- 
 vanced from the Tavern and took a position to the left of the 
 battery back of a fence and up to a bridge and cut. This 
 proved to be the Fifth Virginia Cavalry. The fighting, as will 
 be observed, had lasted some days in the vicinity, and as related 
 to me by another than Mr. Fay, Alger heard in his hospital 
 that his brigade was cut off and was in danger, and in the 
 midst of furious fighting. Without waiting to obtain his 
 form.al discharge or leave from the hospital, weakened by 
 disease and his confinement to bed, he immediately arose, 
 went to the adjacent stable where his horse was, saddled 
 
 57 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 it and bridled it, mounted and started for the front with 
 all the speed that he could get out of his fine horse. 
 Judge Fay describes his first sight of Alger on the occasion : 
 The batteries had opened a furious shelling of the Michigan 
 troops. "Here," he says, "the Michigan brigade came out of 
 "the woods, formed in order, under the direct and close fire of 
 "the batteries, and with Colonel Alger with the Fifth Mich- 
 "igan in advance, — he personally leading the charge on the 
 "batteries, up the hill, quickly drove the enemy before him and 
 "captured most of the artillery. Some of the guns limbered 
 "up and got away, but the bulk of the Fifth Virginia were 
 "captured, and with Alger still leading his men, the enemy 
 "were driven up the hill to the Yellow Tavern, and on beyond 
 "it. In this charge of the Michigan brigade, led by Alger, 
 "General J. E. B. Stewart was mortally wounded." And so 
 passed away one of the most brilliant and successful of the 
 Confederate generals, and one of their best leaders in close 
 
 fighting "I shall never forget," says Fay, "the 
 
 "conspicuous gallantry of General Alger, who led that 
 "charge that opened the way out. No man of the Michigan 
 "Cavalry Brigade was made prisoner, notwithstanding it had 
 "been surrounded together with other large bodies of our 
 "troops until the moment when Alger appeared." 
 
 I desire here and now to acknowledge with very deep 
 gratitude this testimony of my friend, John C. Fay of Wash- 
 ington, the only eye-witness I have met of that superb delivery 
 of our imprisoned troops and the calm and gallant bearing of 
 Alger, who formed his brigade for the charge and calmed 
 them by his unexpected appearance, and his undaunted manner, 
 so that in the face of batteries, the formation that he attained 
 successfully was made by the General with no more nervous- 
 ness or tremor on the part of soldier or general than as if the 
 movement was one on dress parade. 
 
 One incident more Fay does not mention, and which I have 
 been told by another who saw the charge: that is, that after 
 forming his brigade for the charge in the face of the fire of 
 artillery, Alger, when giving the final order to charge, threw 
 his hat in the air, and shouted to his men, "Come on, boys, 
 
 58 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 there will be no prisoners of this brigade taken this day by the 
 enemy in front;" and they went at the enemy with the uncon- 
 querable spirit that actuated and filled the frail body of Alger 
 with energy to w in, instead of with the fever to hold him back. 
 Mr. Fay sums up his own feelings with these words : 
 
 "I was an enthusiastic boy, but the impressions then formed 
 "have stayed with me always, and have through life made me 
 "look upon General Russell A. Alger as a hero, although 
 "I never was a follower of his in his civil career, — on the 
 "contrary, was opposed to his ambitions; but when I have 
 "heard personal attacks were made upon him, I said to our 
 "mutual friend — of what I personally saw of his gallantry 
 "and valuable services to his country, and for that, if for no 
 "other reason, I believe the stories that were being put in cir- 
 "culatioii against him were false and malicious." 
 
 Let it be stated here that the story that was circulated 
 against General Alger in connection with his informal action 
 in detaching himself without leave, and without orders, from 
 that hospital, was based upon a formal certificate, sent to 
 Washington according to the rules of war by General George 
 A. Custer, commanding that, "Colonel R. A. Alger had left 
 hospital without leave, and had not reported to headquarters." 
 Yet, after the fight 1 have described, Alger was in all the bat- 
 tles thereafter so furiously fought by Sheridan during the 
 grand climax of the war, which soon closed at Appommatox. 
 Why, it was General Custer and General Phil. Sheridan, who, 
 afterward, over their own signatures, strongly recommended, 
 nay, almost with the expressions of command, and urged the 
 promotion of General Alger, first, to be brigadier general, 
 and secondly to be a major general to date from these battles 
 in which he engaged, preceding but a few months the glorious 
 end of the war under the apple tree at Appommatox. 
 
 It was one of the most striking features of General 
 Alger's busy life, and one of the most unselfish and winning 
 in his character that he was never happier than when he had 
 the opportunity to turn aside and do something in aid of a 
 friend, — and if it were difficult of accomplishment, the better 
 was he pleased. I owe the incident which I am about to relate, 
 
 59 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 as well as much other information of General Alger's life 
 in Washington, to Mr. Frank H. Hosford, now a special press 
 correspondent at the capital, and sometime one of the most suc- 
 cessful and popular presidents of the famous Gridiron Club. 
 It is this : Promising that the Soldiers' Cemetery at Arlington 
 is by the law of its creation held to be the last resting place 
 exclusively for those who have worn in service the uniform 
 of the army or navy, I add, the exceptions are very rare, and 
 never permitted, save by order of the Secretary of War, after 
 a showing of strong reasons and good cause to support the 
 appeal to him, or to the commander-in-chief of the military 
 and naval forces of the United States. It was but a few days 
 before Senator Alger's death. In these few days of his life, 
 Charles Conger had pleaded with his cousin, Frank B. Conger, 
 son of the late Senator Conger of Michigan, that he might be 
 laid in the sacred ground beside the remains of his father, 
 Major Conger, who had gallantly earned the right of burial 
 there. Mr. Conger asked help from Senator Alger, he hav- 
 ing been Secretary of War, and of great influence at the War 
 office under the present administration. Like himself to the 
 last, he promised immediate aid, and thereupon took the longest 
 walk in weeks before his death to visit the War office and 
 plead the cause of his friend. He was weary and faint from 
 the exertion, but he did not leave the office of Secretary Taft 
 until the permit had been signed for placing the remains of 
 Charles Conger beside those of his father. On leaving the 
 office Frank Conger expressed his gratitude to Senator 
 Alger for what he had done. The General replied : "I could 
 "not care much for a man who would not cheerfully make an 
 "effort, like this, to do a favor to, or to assist a friend when 
 "such an opportunity is afforded me. Outside the interest I 
 "have in my family, there is nothing that I could do for the 
 "remainder of my life that would afford me more satisfaction 
 "than to help or favor another, and if my action is appreciated, 
 "why, I am more than satisfied and made happy by the service 
 "rendered." 
 
 Some time ago, as you will all remember, war between the 
 United States and Japan was widely spoken of, and much 
 
 60 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 mooted in the press of the world. About that time T n..f 
 General Alger in the lobby of the UnL Trn R u 
 m Detroit wherem we both hL offices h" as usLl tatf 
 few pleasant words for me, and in the talk I sdd ' ' see 
 General that we are to have another war; you will ^o ni 
 
 Tr:"; ed TrTm K ''''' 1 ' ^" "^^^^^•" The nelt -^j^' 
 Roher T p T. "'' '" ^^'^ '"^"' ^ newspaper clipping of 
 Robert J. Burdette's poem entitled, ^Young No Longer '"lid 
 these four verses marked : nu J^onger, with 
 
 " 'Halt !' cry the bugles down the column's length • 
 
 And nothing loth to halt and rest am I 
 For summer's heat hath somewhat taxed my strength 
 
 And long the dusty ways before me lie. 
 Our standards gay, war's bright heraldic page, 
 
 Our uniforms with gold and silver dressed 
 Are rent and torn, in battle's furious rage 
 
 Blood-stained, and grey with dust, each glittering crest 
 l-orward! the bugles call, ready am I, 
 
 For though my step hath lost its 'springing gait 
 I am more prompt to march, quick to obey ! 
 
 Less apt to question, or to hesitate. 
 Yet, when a belted trooper gallops by, 
 
 I lift my eyes, warned by the swift hoof's tramp 
 And hail him with the infantryman's cry, 
 
 'Ho ! comrade, tell me, how far it is 'to camp.' " 
 
 I evoke before your minds tonight a familiar figure, a man 
 of achievement. 
 
 He may come of a stalwart and mighty lineage, but he does 
 not vaunt it. 
 
 He is a Democrat, in the broad sense, believes in his country 
 and her future, is proud of her progress, and feels a respon- 
 sibility as a unit of the sovereign people, with a public duty to 
 perform as such. ^ 
 
 He is a man of wide experience, a thinker, and a man of 
 honor. 
 
 His reflective mind makes constant use of its means of 
 knowledge, they are not permitted to mold or to rust. He has 
 
 6i 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 come to be a man of the world, and a student of mankind. His 
 charity for the foibles and sins of humanity is broad, and his 
 judgments gentle. Never arrogant, censorious or intolerant 
 in discussion, he wins an opponent by respecting his opinions, 
 while differing from him, and sends him away, in a spirit of 
 reflection, rather than of controversy. 
 
 He never "mistakes rudeness for courage or violence for 
 strength." He clothes his ideas in garments of simple but apt 
 expression, felicitous and always Anglo-Saxon. There is no 
 strut or anytliing of vanity about him ; his diction is pure like 
 his heart, and is never marred by profanity or slang. 
 
 He is deferential to all women. 
 
 An unconscious dignity freezes impertinence, and closes the 
 mouth of vulgarity, while his gentle manners and winning 
 countenance give confidence to the embarrassed, and loosen 
 the tongue of the modest and the timid. He cares nothing for 
 mere cant in his intercourse with manly men — with true Amer- 
 ican manhood — and you feel at once as he grasps your hand, 
 and greets you, that with him — 
 
 "The rank is but the guinea's stamp, 
 The man's the gold for a' that." 
 
 To enter his home, partake of his hospitality in the place 
 where he lived, is a privilege and delight. At the head of his 
 table his gentle grace "The mind, the music breathing from his 
 face," warm and move the heart of every guest, who thus 
 influenced, unconsciously becomes, not simply an observer and 
 a hearer, but a contributor to the common enjoyment of all. 
 This man by healthful exercises keeps his body sound, as the 
 repository of his sound mind. His physique is athletic and 
 vigorous. A statesman, a gentleman of the American type, 
 the figure is not simply an ideal one, and I personify the type, 
 with which my description may but poorly impress your minds 
 when I name, Russell A. Alger. 
 
 One of the warmest and most sincere admirers of, and 
 mourners for, General Alger is Judge Donovan, for many 
 years Judge of the Wayne Circuit Court. He has the keenest 
 
 62 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 taste for classical literature, and his research and learning in 
 that regard have been exceptional and of wide range. I have 
 been favored by him with his own translation of the Greek 
 theory in respect of the death of a famous Greek who had 
 attained the age of three score and ten ; and in giving expres- 
 sion to his deep feeling on the death of General Alger^ he 
 uses that translation thus : 
 
 "We are glad, that he has lived 
 
 "With us thus long, 
 "And glad, that he has so earned 
 
 "His rich reward; 
 "Nor deem that kindly nature 
 
 "Did him wrong, 
 "Softly to disengage the vital cord. 
 
 "For when his strong arm grew 
 "Weakened, and his eye 
 
 "Was dimmed with the frost of years — 
 "It was his time to die." 
 
 ft^ 
 
 63 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 ADDRL55 OF GLN. HLNRY M. DUFFILLD 
 
 Mr. Chairman: 
 
 The prayer is said ; the dirge is sung. Taps have sounded ; 
 the last volley hred over the hero's grave. From the head 
 waters of Superior to the beautiful river on the banks of which 
 he chose his home, the people of Michigan who loved him so 
 well, and whom he loved so well, joined in grief with the people 
 of his home city as they watched and followed his funeral 
 cortege. 
 
 The President of the United States and The Congress in 
 both houses have spoken his praises. The great company of 
 the Grand Army of the Republic — than which no other is 
 founded on more patriotic, benevolent or holier principles, 
 Friendship, Charity and Loyalty — have proudly mourned their 
 beloved Past Commander-in-Chief; the pulpit and the press 
 and all patriotic citizens throughout the land have blended 
 sorrow and admiration. 
 
 And now the State of his adoption, with all its honored 
 magistrates upon the summons of the Legislative Represent- 
 atives of the people, lamenting a son so beloved, a servant so 
 faithful, a friend so true, comes last of all in the Legislative 
 Halls of the Capitol to say farewell and to deliver the character 
 and career of Russell A. Alger to history and the judgment 
 of mankind. 
 
 We know how fully, how eloquently, how tenderly the 
 story of his life has been told by his colleagues in the National 
 Capitol, and in the city he chose for his home, by the Chief 
 Executive of our State, his close friends and his pastor in the 
 church in which he had worshipped God for more than a 
 generation. Intimate as it has been my privilege to be with 
 him, and sincerely as I loved him, I might well hesitate to stand 
 here even with the honor of your invitation, did I not feel that 
 inspired by your sympathy my words telling the same story, 
 
 65 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 however feebly, will seem to your generous hearts to prolong 
 for a few moments the eulogies you would not willingly have 
 cease. 
 
 In the first years of his manhood he quickly responded to 
 the call of President Lincoln for defenders of the Union and 
 went to the front as Captain in the Second Michigan Cavalry. 
 
 His first service was under that greatest of cavalry leaders, 
 General Sheridan, to whom Captain Alger brought the mes- 
 sage from Governor Blair, appointing him Colonel of the Sec- 
 ond Michigan Cavalry. He was chosen by Sheridan to lead 
 the desperate charge at the Battle of Booneville, which snatched 
 victory from disaster. A brief account of it epitomizes his 
 career as a soldier. 
 
 Sheridan, with an effective force of only 873 men, com- 
 posed of the Second Michigan, Capt. Campbell commanding, 
 and the Second Iowa Cavalry, had stubbornly resisted General 
 Chalmer's attack with a force of about 5,000 men, until it 
 became evident that his left flank would be turned. His situ- 
 ation was most critical. Something desperate must be done, 
 and Alger did it. 
 
 A circuitous road ran through a heavily timbered woods 
 rejoining the Blackland road at the northern edge of the woods. 
 Sheridan directed Captain Alger to take four sabre com- 
 panies, two from the Second Michigan and two from the 
 Second Iowa, follow this wood road to the Blackland road, 
 then to turn on it toward Booneville and charge the enemy 
 from the rear. When they struck the enemy's rear Alger^s 
 troops were to cheer and Sheridan would then charge the 
 enemy in front with his whole command. Under no circum- 
 stances was Alger to deploy the battalion but to charge in 
 column, right through whatever he came upon and report to 
 Sheridan in front of Booneville if at all possible for him to 
 get there. If he failed to break through the enemy's lines, he 
 was to go ahead as far as he could and then if any of his men 
 were left and he was able to retreat, he was to do so by the 
 same route he had taken on his way out. 
 
 Sheridan was a true soldier and ever careful of the rights 
 of his men. He knew that he had no right to compel these 
 
 66 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 officers and men to obey this order, and he frankly told them 
 that he expected the quick and desperate work of a forlorn 
 hope. But not a man of them took advantage of his statement 
 to declme the perilous duty. Not a man murmured All 
 believed m Sheridan. All believed in Alger. All were willing 
 to die for Old Glory and the Union. And so they rode on 
 tliese brave men of Michigan and Iowa led by their gallant 
 Captain; riding close to the flank of the enemy concealed only 
 by the timber; armed with sabres only; no fire arms; close to 
 the flank of 5,000 infantry armed with rifles, who at the first 
 moment of discovery could deploy a force sufficient to instantly 
 annihilate them; guided by a "long, thin, sallow, tawny haired 
 Mississipian whom they had never seen before and who might 
 betray them any moment. 
 
 Coming out upon the Blackland road at the appointed spot 
 they paused only long enough to capture the Confederate 
 headquarter guard, then turned down the road and with quick- 
 ened gallop rode on to charge the enemy. 
 
 Not in line of battle, not in ranks deployed where each 
 trooper rides side by side, but in column— column of fours. 
 Alger at the head, then four sabres abreast, then four more 
 and so on four abreast. Ninety sabres to charge through 5,000 
 armed infantry ! ! Sheridan had set the time for them to do 
 the work at one hour. As it neared that time even his bold 
 spirit trembled. "The enemy's firing," he says, "indicated 
 such numerical strength that fear of disaster to Alger 
 increased my anxiety terribly as the time set for his cheer- 
 ing approached and no sound of it was heard." 
 
 But the gallant ninety sabres still rode bravely on and fell 
 upon the enemy like a wolf on the fold with ringing cheers and 
 cries of battle. The rear lines of the enemy gave way and they 
 pressed onward through them with renewed cries and shouts, 
 their sabres flashing in the sunlight. There is a limit to all 
 human valor — 50 to i is hopeless odds. The enemy was in 
 front of them, to their right, to their left, and behind them. 
 Their gallant leader was wounded and unhorsed and they were 
 compelled to retreat by the route they came. But their retreat 
 was not defeat. By a fortunate coincidence, Sheridan witii the 
 
 67 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 Second Michigan simultaneously attacked in front ; the Second 
 Iowa pressed hard upon Chalmer's left and "the enemy broke 
 and ran in the utmost disorder over the country in every direc- 
 tion." Sheridan says: "His precipitous retreat was due to 
 the pressure on his left from the Second Iowa in concert with 
 the front attack of the Second Michigan and the demoraliza- 
 tion brought about in his rear by Alger, who had almost 
 accomplished the purpose of his expedition, though he had 
 failed to come through." 
 
 This was Alger's baptism of fire. This was the beginning 
 of that long record of his brave and faithful service which 
 enriches the history of the War for the Union. 
 
 He began his service as a Captain and ended it as a Brevet 
 Major General — "brevetted Brigadier General for gallant and 
 meritorious services at the battle of Trevillian Station, Va.," 
 and Major General "for gallant and meritorious services 
 during the war." 
 
 While Secretary of War the Spanish-American War came 
 like a clap of thunder from a clear sky. The Regular Army 
 establishment comprised 2,143 officers and 26,040 men. The 
 Quartermaster's Department had but 57 officers. The first 
 call of the President for troops, April 23, was for 125,000 
 men, the second call, May 25th, was for 75,000 men, and the 
 increase in the regular force was approximately 61,000, making 
 an aggregate increase of 261,000 men. 
 
 The lack of arms, equipment and material was appalling. 
 
 There were not enough Krag-Jorgensen rifles to equip the 
 increased regular army ; there was no smokeless powder. The 
 Government didn't manufacture it, and as war had been 
 declared it was contraband of war and under the rules of Inter- 
 national Law could not be purchased abroad. There was no 
 Kaki cloth for uniforms. There were no tents and no duck of 
 government standard obtainable. No shoes of government 
 standard. Four hundred thousand pairs of shoes were supplied 
 the troops from April 22nd to August 12th. Last but not 
 least the Quartermaster's Department under the listless routine 
 of a peace establishment had fallen into a strict formality of 
 requisitions which, while proper and even necessary in peace, 
 
 68 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 was wholly incongruous in this emergency. A Colonel of a 
 Michigan regiment on the arrival of his regiment at Camp 
 Thomas, Chickamauga, made requisition for tents for his 
 regiment. They came, but without tent poles, ridge poles or 
 tent pins. True, he should have named these in his requisition, 
 but a moment's reflection by the Quartermaster should have 
 told him that as this regiment had never had an issue of tents 
 before, it needed all the essential articles to make the tents 
 available for use. 
 
 The Colonel of a regiment in my brigade on the hurried 
 order of its departure for Cuba to join in the Santiago cam- 
 paign, had not time to make formal requisition by mail and 
 telegraphed Rock Island Arsenal for a bridle to be sent to him 
 at Fortress Monroe, our point of embarkation. He received 
 his bridle there but it had no bit. It must be remembered, 
 however, that there were but 57 regular officers in the Quarter- 
 master's Department. 
 
 Augmenting these obstacles Admiral Dewey had destroyed 
 the Spanish fleet and taken Manila, which necessitated the 
 sending of twenty thousand troops under General Merritt to 
 Manila, 7,000 miles across the Pacific Ocean, at the same time 
 that General Shafter's expedition to Cuba was being launched. 
 
 It was in the midst of these difficulties that two offensive 
 campaigns — one seven thousand miles from our army's base, 
 and one several hundred miles from any adequate base of 
 supplies — were successfully conducted. 
 
 A campaign of offence against a foreign shore is always 
 full of difficulty. The Spanish Armada is a signal instance. 
 England failed in her early expedition against Spain in the 
 1 8th century. The campaign against Egypt overtaxed the 
 splendid genius of Napoleon. The Crimean campaign 
 brought discredit on the military prowess of Great Britain. 
 But each of the campaigns in the Spanish War was successful. 
 General Merritt, in co-operation with Admiral Dewey, 
 assaulted and captured the City of Manila and quickly 
 achieved supremacy of the Philippines. Shafter, in a remark- 
 ably brilliant campaign, forced the surrender of all the troops 
 
 69 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 in Cuba, many more thousands in number than his own forces, 
 in the short space of twenty-seven days ! ! ! 
 
 In less than a month Toral had surrendered all the Spanish 
 troops in Cuba, greater in number than Shafter's entire com- 
 mand. The Philippines had been taken from Spain, Cuba 
 and the Philippines were free and only the incidental details 
 of a treaty remained to be settled. 
 
 Meantime at home there had been begun by captious 
 critics, who were inimical to the war from the outset, com- 
 plaints against the conduct of the war. "Embalmed Beef," 
 "Rotten Rations" and like epithets filled the yellow journals, 
 none of them supported by the facts, but still continued with 
 increasingly exaggerated falsehoods regardless of the reports 
 of impartial commissions and committees of Congress, regard- 
 less whether he was responsible or not, growing more and 
 more slanderous the more they were shown to be false, they 
 were gladly espoused by hostile newspapers, and all their 
 slander-tipped arrows of malice were aimed at the head of 
 the Secretary of War. 
 
 Even while he was completing his report of the brilliantly 
 successful operations of his department the storm of calumny 
 burst against him, and for some supposed reason never made 
 public, and which we know now never existed in fact, he was 
 forced to give up his office. 
 
 The rains descended and the floods came and the winds 
 blew and beat upon his reputation, and it fell not, for it was 
 founded on a rock. But his political honors were taken away. 
 His office was taken from him and he left Washington stripped 
 of official power, to return to his home as a private citizen 
 under the gloomy shadow of the obloquy of his dismissal. 
 Some of his most intimate friends strongly urged him not to 
 risk the kind of reception he might have and not to come 
 directly home while the shock of his enforced retirement was 
 fresh in the public mind. But Russell A. Alger never 
 flinched before a foe. 
 
 Cardinal Woolsey, standing amid the shattered wreck of 
 his greatness, lamented, "Had I but served my God with half 
 
 70 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 the zeal I served my King, He would not in mine age have 
 left me naked to mine enemies." 
 
 General Alger made no such lament. He had served his 
 God and his country, 
 
 "With a soul conscious of his integrity he smiled at the 
 taunts of calumny." 
 
 And so it was that as he came to his home journeying 
 quietly and unattended, he was met at the borders of the State, 
 by its Governor and State officers and hundreds of friends 
 from Detroit and elsewhere, and accompanied to the city 
 where waiting thousands of his fellow citizens escorted him 
 through ranks of women and children who filled the sidewalks 
 to the City Hall and passed before him with uncovered heads 
 and greetings of affection, returning later to the reception in 
 the City Hall to grasp his hand with affection and sympathy. 
 
 Truly, as he himself said with tearful eyes — eyes that had 
 never flinched from foe : 
 
 "There never has been nor can ever be for me a greater 
 honor." 
 
 His subsequent life among us; his generosity as of old; 
 his interest and activity in all that made for good; his election 
 to the United States Senate by the unanimous vote of the 
 Legislature^ — in which many of you participated and all of 
 you who did not, regret you did not — are fresh in your minds. 
 
 His life work was unusually successful. He acquired 
 wealth — not tainted, but honestly and honorably acquired and 
 wisely and generously employed. He gained the confidence of 
 his fellow citizens and was given high honors and important 
 offices by their suffrages. He filled those positions faithfully, 
 successfully and with high class ability. He gained a proud 
 record as a soldier. His private life was clean of any stain. 
 He was a loving husband and father, a generous, charitable, 
 pure-minded, God-fearing man. 
 
 To no man more worthily than to him were the famous 
 words of the Roman poet ever applied: 
 
 "Integer vitae scelerisque puris." 
 
 71 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 ADDRL55 OF HON. JOHN T. RICH 
 
 Mr. President, Gentlemen of the Joint Convention, Ladies 
 and Gentlemen: 
 
 It has often been said that nothing succeeds like success. 
 Judged by this standard General Alger was a very success- 
 ful man in all he undertook. He started like the most of 
 American young men, poor and dependent on his own 
 resources for whatever success he was to obtain. He early 
 responded to his country's call for men. How well he served 
 her is shown by history and by the rapid promotions which 
 he received, which were given strictly on the basis of being 
 earned and deserved. When his country no longer required 
 his services on the field he took up the battle of life vigorously 
 and was very successful in accumulating a fortune. The 
 methods adopted in securing it have never been criticized 
 except for their boldness. With that fortune he has been 
 generous to the poor and just to every one who had any 
 claims upon him. 
 
 In every case, when met by unusual difficulties or reverses, 
 he v/as hopeful, optimistic and courageous. This is the repu- 
 tation he has among his business associates and personal 
 friends. When his record and management of the difficult 
 position of Secretary of War was so severely criticized, during 
 which the war with Spain occurred, he was hurt badly, but 
 conscious of his integrity and well doing he appealed to the 
 people of the country successfully, and when he died the papers 
 which had been the most bitter on him spoke well of him and 
 of his record. The people of Detroit and Michigan always 
 believed in him. The public demonstration in his favor when 
 he returned to Detroit after his resignation as Secretary of 
 War, was one that could not be misinterpreted and was par- 
 ticipated in by the rich and poor alike, by the people of the 
 State and of the City. When he became a candidate for the 
 
 73 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 Senate public sentiment was very strong in his favor, not 
 only because they knew him and believed in him, but as a 
 means of showing their resentment of the unwarranted and 
 cruel attacks on him by the outside press. Had his health not 
 failed he would have been honored by a second election as 
 Senator from Michigan. 
 
 In all his acts and all his life he has had the courage of his 
 convictions, and whether in politics, business, military or 
 social matters he was prompt to act. He was optimistic and 
 seemed to have courage to meet any emergencies, even after 
 his health failed and his friends knew that his time on earth 
 was short. In November, 1905, I had my last visit with him. 
 He was feeling better that day than usual and talked of his 
 future plans, both official and business, much more like a man 
 of thirty-five than a man nearly seventy with greatly impaired 
 health. He continued to discharge all his duties official, 
 social and business, in the thorough manner which had always 
 been his practice. He always said he wanted to die in the 
 harness, and I understand his wish was gratified. As young 
 man, soldier, officer, in business, in a social way, as a host to 
 so many people throughout the state and nation, as Governor 
 and Senator, he met every responsibility honestly and effect- 
 ively. The world is much richer for his having lived, and his 
 history will be an inspiration to youth for years to come. 
 
 74 
 
Wtit Hift of (§tn. mm 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 5KLTCH OF THL LIFL OF THE LATL 
 RU55LLL A. ALGLR 
 
 Russell Alexander Alger was born in Lafayette Town- 
 ship, Medina County, Ohio, on February 27, 1836. He was 
 descended on both his parents' sides from distinguished Col- 
 onial and Revolutionary stock. John Alger, his great grand- 
 father, served with distinction in the war for independence, 
 and from his branch of the family came some of the most 
 intrepid pioneers of the Western Reserve. Russell Alger, the 
 grandson of John Alger and father of Russell Alexander 
 Alger, moved from the family home in Connecticut in 1832 
 and settled in southern Ohio. General Alger's mother was 
 Caroline Moulton, descendant of Robert Moulton who came 
 to Massachusetts from England in 1637. Upon her marriage 
 to Russell Alger, she went with him to Medina County, Ohio, 
 where a few years later amidst all the hardships and privations 
 of frontier life, their son was born. At an early age young 
 Alger was compelled to begin the hard struggle for existence. 
 Left an orphan when only eleven years old, with a younger 
 brother and sister to care for, he found homes for them and 
 arranged to work for their board and clothes. For seven years 
 he contrived by virtue of hard laljur on the neighboring farms, 
 not only to support these children and himself, but to attend 
 the fall and winter terms of the Richfield Academy. At nine- 
 teen he became teacher of the District School. Early in 1857, 
 when twenty-one years old, Mr. Alger went to Akron, Ohio, 
 where he read law for two years in the office of Wolcott & 
 Upson. In March, 1859, he was admitted to the bar of the 
 Supreme Court of the State and entered the law offices of 
 Otis, Coffinbury & Wyman, in Cleveland. His health, how- 
 ever, becoming impaired through hard study and the con- 
 finement of indoor life, he was forced, a year later, to abandon 
 for more active employment, the profession he had labored so 
 hard to master. 
 
 77 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 December 31, i860, Mr. Alger left Ohio for Michigan, 
 to engage in the lumber business. He took up his residence at 
 Grand Rapids and there on April 2, 1861, he married Miss 
 Annette Henry, the eldest daughter of Hon. William Gilmore 
 Henry. At the outbreak of the Civil War, Mr. Alger was 
 among the first to respond to the President's call for volun- 
 teers. He raised a company of cavalry and was mustered into 
 service September 2, 1861, as captain of Troop C, Second 
 Michigan Cavalry. General Alger's career as a soldier was 
 a brilliant one. He took part in sixty-six battles and skirm- 
 ishes and received his successive promotions as rewards of 
 valor. His military record given in the military history of 
 Michigan is as follows : 
 
 "Captain Second Michigan Cavalry, September 2, 1861 ; 
 major, April 18, 1862; wounded and taken prisoner at Boone- 
 ville, Miss., July i, 1862, escaped same day; lieutenant colonel 
 Sixth Michigan Cavalry, October 16, 1862; colonel Fifth 
 Michigan Cavalry, June 5, 1863, to date from February 28, 
 1863; wounded in action at Boonesborough, Md., July 8, 
 1864; brevetted brigadier general United States Volunteers 
 for gallant and meritorious service, to rank from the battle of 
 Trevillian Station, Va., June 11, 1864; brevetted major gen- 
 eral United States Volunteers, March 12, 1867, to date from 
 June II, 1865, for gallant and meritorious services during the 
 war." 
 
 Alger's first action of note was a bold ride from Corinth 
 to Pittsburg Landing as the bearer of a request from his regi- 
 ment to Governor Blair, for a new leader. The Governor 
 ofifered him this place, but he declined the honor, urging that it 
 be given to Captain Philip H. Sheridan, stationed at that time 
 sixty miles away. The Governor acceded to this request and 
 made him the messenger. So, though having been for thirty- 
 six hours continuously in the saddle. Captain Alger returned 
 at once with the order that gave to Sheridan his first independ- 
 ent command. 
 
 Then follows the battle of Booneville. Mississippi, on July 
 I, 1862, when Sheridan with his new regiment defeated a 
 
 78 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 Confederate force of five thousand men. In this engagement 
 Alger, with but ninety-two troopers, attacked the rear of 
 General Chalmer's column and threw it into the confusion which 
 eventually caused its defeat. Alger lost forty-one men in this 
 charge and he himself was severely wounded and taken pris- 
 oner, but escaped the same day. Sheridan has written the 
 story of this charge and says he "reckons it as one of the finest 
 exploits of the war." The following October Alger was com- 
 missioned lieutenant colonel of the Sixth Michigan Cavalry. 
 Then in February, 1863, came his promotion to the colonelcy of 
 the Fifth Michigan Cavalry. This was one of the four regi- 
 ments in the immortal Michigan Cavalry Brigade and events 
 followed fast on one another in a glorious series of battles. No 
 cavalry force ever made a finer record. In over sixty engage- 
 ments Alger did his share and order after order by Sheridan, 
 Kilpatrick, and Custer tell the story of his gallantry and 
 devotion to the cause of the Union. His command was the 
 first Northern regiment to arrive at Gettysburg, July 3, 1863, 
 and rendered gallant service during the battle, he being espe- 
 cially commended by Custer for bravery in action. After the 
 battle of Gettysburg, when pursuing General Lee's army, the 
 cavalry was continuously engaged; charge after charge they 
 made, six engagements in five days, and it was during the 
 last of these, the second battle of Boonesborough, Md., July 
 8, 18^3, that Colonel ^Vlger was again seriously wounded. 
 He was carried from the field, but in less than six weeks 
 returned again to the front. General Custer's report of Octo- 
 ber, 1863, tells of the famous charge of the Michigan Brigade 
 at James City, Virginia, October 9th; of how, divided into 
 two columns headed by the Fifth (Alger's) and the First, 
 with sabres drawn and bands playing, they cut their way 
 through Lee's army. And how again that same night Alger, 
 at the head of one small battalion, charged a battery and forced 
 its change of position. Custer's report describing this attack 
 "as daring in the extreme," follows with the description of the 
 battle of Buckland Mills, October 19, "when the brunt of the 
 attack fell on the Fifth Michigan Cavalry, cutting it ofY from 
 the main force, and which Colonel Alger met with his usual 
 
 79 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 intrepidity and skill." Michigan in the War quotes from the 
 New York Herald of that date: "It is wonderful that our 
 loss is so slight, the enemy being in such overwhelming 
 strength, and to the gallantry and ability of Kilpatrick, Custer 
 and Alger — the last particularly distinguished himself — can 
 be imputed the fortunate termination of the affair." 
 
 Late in November, 1863, the brigade went into camp at 
 Stevensburg, Virginia, and while there in February, 1864, 
 Colonel Alger was detailed as special commissioner of the 
 War Department in regard to the amnesty proclamation then 
 pending. In connection with this service he visited every army 
 in the field, making his report directly to the President. This 
 was one of the most important private commissions placed in 
 the hands of a soldier during the war. 
 
 With the spring came the campaign with Sheridan and 
 Custer; the battles of the Wilderness and the "Sheridan 
 Raid." At Yellow Tavern, Virginia, May loth, the enemy's 
 cavalry under Major General J. E. B. Stuart was encountered, 
 and again the Fifth Michigan Cavalry won renown in its 
 splendid charges, and again General Custer reports "the gal- 
 lantry of its leader. Colonel Alger." On June 11, at the 
 battle of Trevillian Station, Alger led a charge that has 
 become historic. Sheridan described it in his Memoirs as "by 
 far the most brilliant one of the campaign." "Alger's regi- 
 ment charged gallantly down the Gordonsville road, capturing 
 1,500 horses and about 800 men." This charge gave Colonel 
 Alger his commission as brevet brigadier general "for gallant 
 and meritorious service." 
 
 On the 31st of July, 1864, the brigade was ordered to pro- 
 ceed to Washington and thence to the Shenandoah Valley. 
 While in Washington, Colonel Alger was assigned to gen- 
 eral court martial duty, but was relieved in order to go with 
 General Sheridan to the Shenandoah Valley, where he served 
 with distinction until, forced by ill-health, he returned to 
 Washington, September 19th, and resigned from the army, 
 receiving his discharge, September 20th, 1864. 
 
 General Alger then returned to Grand Rapids, Michigan, 
 and reengaged in the lumber business. Removing to Detroit 
 
 80 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 in 1866, he became a member of the firm of Moore & Alger and 
 later the head, successively, of R. A. Alger & Company and 
 Alger, Smith & Company, whose operations extended over 
 Michigan, Minnesota, Florida and seven other states and 
 Canada. An employer of a great number of men, he was 
 always in sympathy with their aims and requirements. He was 
 deeply interested in the development of the country — its 
 mines and natural resources — and instrumental in the organ- 
 ization of two of the largest banks in Detroit, and many manu- 
 facturing concerns. 
 
 A Republican from the time of the organization of that 
 party. General Alger took an active interest in all its suc- 
 cesses. In 1884, he was a delegate at large to the Republican 
 convention in Chicago. That same year he was elected gov- 
 ernor of Michigan, but declined a second term two years later. 
 As governor he instituted the Board of Pardons and was instru- 
 mental in transferring the Lake Superior Ship Canal to the 
 general government. Michigan presented his name as candi- 
 date for the Presidency at the Republican national convention 
 in 1888. He stood second for nomination on the second ballot 
 and on the fifth received one hundred and forty-two votes. 
 Michigan supported him to the end and later made him the 
 first elector at large of the State. 
 
 General Alger was a member of the Grand Army of the 
 Republic, its first state commander, and in 1889, at the national 
 encampment at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he was unanimously 
 elected commander in chief of the order. He was a member 
 of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion, and at one time 
 Commander of the State Commandery. He was also a mem- 
 ber of the Society of the Army of the Potomac, the Sons of 
 the American Revolution and other patriotic organizations. 
 
 In March, 1897, General Alger was appointed Secretary 
 of War by President McKinley, and held that portfolio dur- 
 ing the Spanish- American War, resigning in August, 1899. 
 
 The War with Spain, declared April 21, 1898, found our 
 country totally unprepared, having an army of only 2,143 
 officers and 26,040 enlisted men. With this as a nucleus, 
 Secretary Alger was called upon to organize, equip and put 
 
 81 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 into the field an army of 275,000 men, of which about 225,000 
 were volunteer soldiers coming from every state in the Union. 
 How ably he met the call is shown by the results of* his labor. 
 With no army transports and empty military storehouses, 
 with lack of every kind of arms, ammunition and equipment, 
 on him, as executive officer, fell the immense task of provid- 
 ing everything. That Secretary Alger proved equal to this 
 emergency and that his administration was one of signal effi- 
 ciency is recognized the world over. He served his country 
 faithfully and well, as statesman and patriot. 
 
 General Alger's return to Detroit in August, 1899, was 
 made the occasion of a great civic demonstration. He was 
 met at the station by the Mayor and with military and naval 
 escorts conducted to the City Hall, where 50,000 people wel- 
 comed him back to Michigan. In 1900, General Alger 
 wrote his book on the Spanish-American War, a history 
 whose value was at once recognized by the government, 
 which ordered it placed in its military and naval libraries. 
 
 September 27, 1902, General Alger was appointed 
 United States Senator by the governor of Michigan, to 
 fill the vacancy caused by the death of Senator James 
 McMillan. In January, 1903, he was elected senator by the 
 legislature, his term to expire March 3, 1907. 
 
 As senator, General Alger served on many important 
 committees. His wide military knowledge, his business 
 insight and capacity, and his acknowledged high personal 
 character gave him wide influence. 
 
 Senator Alger was stricken on January 24, 1907, with 
 acute oedema of the lungs, dying at his home in Washington, 
 D. C., within the hour. His death came as a great shock to 
 the community and the country at large. Immediately upon its 
 announcement, the President and Vice-President sent messages 
 expressing deep sorrow. On that day the United States Sen- 
 ate convened and after the Chaplain had delivered a special 
 prayer, resolutions expressing regret and sorrow were adopted 
 and a committee was appointed to attend the body to Detroit. 
 The Senate, as a further mark of respect, adjourned. The 
 
 82 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 House of Representatives met for the same purpose and then 
 adjourned. The Secretary of War formally announced the 
 Senator's death to the army in the following order: 
 
 "War Department, ) 
 Washington^ Jan. 24, 1907. ) 
 
 The Secretary of War announces with deep sorrow the 
 death of the Honorable Russell Alexander Alger, which 
 occurred on the 24th instant, at his residence in this city. 
 
 General Alger was Secretary of War during the adminis- 
 tration of President McKinley, from March 5, 1897, to August 
 I, 1899, a period during which the administration of the War 
 Department was brought into great prominence through its 
 activities in connection with the war with Spain, and the 
 military operations in the Philippines that succeeded it. Gen- 
 eral Alger was patriotic, earnest and most devoted to the 
 interests of the arniy and especially considerate of the welfare 
 of enlisted men. He was a gentle, kindly man, with great 
 confidence in his friends and associates, and was much beloved 
 by his subordinates. He was the subject of unjust criticism 
 because of the country's lack of preparedness for war when 
 war came, although for this he was in no wise responsible. 
 
 His record as a soldier in the civil war was long, useful, 
 and highly honorable. In August, 1861, he entered the volun- 
 teer army, being mustered into service as a Captain in the 
 Second Michigan Cavalry. He became successively Major, 
 Lieutenant Colonel and Colonel of Michigan Volunteers, and 
 was appointed Brevet Brigadier General and Brevet Major 
 General United States Vounteers, June 11, 1865, ^oi" gallant 
 and meritorious service during the war. He was elected Com- 
 mander in Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic in 1889. 
 
 In 1884, he was elected Governor of Michigan, declining a 
 renomination in 1886. On September 27, 1902, he was 
 appointed United States Senator by the Governor of Michigan, 
 to fill a vacancy, and took his seat on December 2, 1902. In 
 January, 1903, he was elected by the Legislature of Michigan 
 for the term which will expire March 3, 1907. 
 
 83 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 As a mark of respect to his memory, it is ordered that the 
 
 flags at all military posts be displayed at half staff on the day 
 
 of the funeral. .,. tt t- 
 
 William H. Taft, 
 
 Secretary of War." 
 
 The Governor of Michigan issued the following procla- 
 mation : 
 
 "To the People of the State of Michigan: 
 
 Honorable Russell Alexander Alger^ Senator of the 
 United States from Michigan, died at Washington, D. C, at 
 8:45 o'clock, Tuesday morning, January 24, 1907. 
 
 Descending from New England ancestors, the life of Sen- 
 ator Alger shows a steady ascent to the honorable and 
 important station in which death found him. He was success- 
 ively farm laborer, school teacher, lawyer, captain, major, 
 lieutenant colonel, brigadier general, governor, commander 
 in chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, Secretary of War 
 and United States Senator from Michigan. It falls to the lot 
 of few men to serve their state and nation in such exalted 
 stations. 
 
 In every capacity he rendered faithful, unselfish and valu- 
 able service. His duties and responsibilities, whether attach- 
 ing to private or public life, were discharged with integrity 
 and ability and his country will accord him that meed of 
 praise which is justly his due. 
 
 During the lifetime of Senator Alger, Michigan never 
 failed to testify to her love and devotion for him wherever 
 opportunity presented itself, and it is in the highest degree 
 fitting, that the state he served so well should honor his 
 memory. 
 
 It is therefore ordered that the flags at the capitol and all 
 state institutions be displayed at half staff until after his burial 
 and that on the day of his funeral, business be wholly sus- 
 pended in all state departments. 
 
 Fred M. Warner, 
 Executive Office, Governor." 
 
 January 24, 1907. 
 
 84 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 The State Legislature convened and adjourned after 
 passing resolutions of sorrow and making arrangements to 
 attend the funeral in a body. It also appended the following 
 to the Governor's proclamation: 
 
 "The services of General Alger in war and in peace 
 have been signalized by conspicuous devotion to duty, unflinch- 
 ing courage, wisdom and patriotism, and have been freely 
 rendered to the state and the nation." 
 
 As chief executive of the City of Detroit Mayor Thompson 
 issued the following proclamation : 
 
 "It is with profound regret that I have heard of the death 
 of Senator Russell A. Alger. 
 
 Senator Alger was a prominent type of our older, dis- 
 tinguished citizens and statesmen. He inherited neither 
 wealth nor position, but was early thrown upon his own 
 resources and had to do his own founding and building, and 
 everyone will admit that he founded and built well. 
 
 He served his country well as a soldier and in his mature 
 years the nation profited by his knowledge and experience dur- 
 ing another crisis while he was Secretary of War. Michigan 
 honored him and herself by electing him as her Senator. 
 
 The City of Detroit owes much to Mr. Alger. He had 
 confidence in its future and was ever ready to enlist in any 
 movement for its advancement. 
 
 The name of Russell A. Alger in Detroit was synonym- 
 ous with charity. Nothing nobler can be said of any man 
 than that he shared his wealth with those who were less for- 
 tunate. 
 
 All honor to his memory. 
 
 Our distinguished fellow-citizen, Russell A. Alger, will 
 be carried to his last resting place on Monday afternoon, Jan- 
 uary 28. 
 
 As a mark of respect to his memory, I proclaim the day 
 of the funeral a half holiday, and request that all public 
 buildings and schools be closed at noon, that our merchants 
 suspend all business during the ceremonies, and that all flags 
 be placed at half mast until after the funeral. 
 
 Wm. B. Thompson, Mayor." 
 85 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 The President of the United States and the Vice-President, 
 members of the Diplomatic Corps and the Justices of the 
 Supreme Court, all the Cabinet officials, and the Senate in a 
 body, the Speaker and members of the House of Representa- 
 tives, and the Michigan Delegation paid tribute to the memory 
 of Senator Alger at the funeral services held at his residence 
 in Washington, Saturday, January 26th. Officers of the 
 Army and Navy, members of the Loyal Legion and Grand 
 Army of the Republic, hundreds of people in official and social 
 life, were gathered in the house or stood outside. The cere- 
 mony, though brief, was very impressive. It was conducted 
 under the auspices of the United States Senate, Rev. Dr. 
 Wallace Radcliffe of the New York Avenue Church read- 
 ing selections from the Bible and offering prayer, and Rev. 
 Edward Everett Hale, Chaplain of the Senate, pronouncing 
 a short eulogy and reading the message of the Secretary of 
 War announcing the death of Senator Alger. At the 
 conclusion of the service the casket, covered with the flag 
 and laden with flowers, was borne from the house, and 
 the funeral cortege, headed by a troop of cavalry, their 
 sabres drawn, moved slowly down the broad avenues thronged 
 with people who stood with bared heads as it passed. 
 Committees from the United States Senate and House of 
 Representatives, the Michigan delegation and family, leav- 
 ing Washington by special train, accompanied the body of 
 Senator Alger to Detroit. The Mayor and Common Coun- 
 cil met the train at Detroit, and with Grand Army of the 
 Republic and Spanish War veterans acting as guard of honor, 
 escorted the body of Senator Alger to the City Hall, where 
 in the main corridor, the walls of which were hung in black, 
 under a canopy of American flags, and guarded by a detach- 
 ment of United States soldiers, the body lay in state. And 
 there until darkness fell a continuous line of people passed 
 the casket, paying their tribute of reverence to the memory 
 of the dead. 
 
 Monday afternoon, January 27th, the funeral of General 
 Alger took place from his home on Fort Street, in the pres- 
 ence of the committees from the United States Senate and 
 
 86 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 the House of Representatives, the Governor and his staff, the 
 State Legislature and officials, the judiciary of the county and 
 city, the Mayor, city and federal officials, and commander and 
 past commanders of the Grand Army of the Republic and 
 Loyal Legion, the Worshipful Master and a committee from 
 Corinthian Lodge, No. 241, F. and A. M., and hundreds of 
 old friends and comrades. The services at the house, con- 
 ducted by Rev. Dr. Pence and Rev. Dr. Cooper, were very 
 simple. It was a soldier's funeral, and the flag-covered coffin 
 was escorted to its last resting place by detachments of the 
 Seventh Regiment, U. S. A., the First Regiment of the Mich- 
 igan National Guard, and the Michigan Naval Reserves. The 
 whole city mourned the dead. Flags were at half staff, busi- 
 ness was practically suspended, and thousands of people lined 
 the streets to the very gates of the cemetery, standing for hours 
 in the piercing cold to do him honor. At Elmwood Cemetery 
 the casket was placed in the family mausoleum. The burial 
 ritual of the Grand Army of the Republic was read by the 
 Fairbanks Post. Taps were sounded and three volleys fired — 
 a soldier's farewell. 
 
 General Alger is survived by his wife and five children : 
 Caroline, wife of Henry D. Shelden, of Detroit ; Fay, wife of 
 William E. Bailey, of Harrisburg, Penna. ; Frances, wife of 
 Charles B. Pike, of Chicago; Russell Alexander Alger, Jr., 
 and Frederick Moulton Alger, of Detroit. 
 
 General Alger was a man of large charities. He was a 
 generous giver to innumerable benevolent organizations and 
 institutions, but his personal and private gifts were even 
 greater. He was a member of the Presbyterian church and 
 took a deep interest in its work. 
 
 Memorial Services were held in the United States Senate, 
 Washington, D. C, the morning of February 23, 1907. 
 
 Memorial Services were held in the House of Representa- 
 tives, Washington, D. C, the afternoon of February 23, 1907. 
 
 Memorial Services were held the evening of April 10, 
 1907, in the Hall of Representatives at the Capitol, Lansing, 
 Michigan, by the Legislature in joint session, the Governor, 
 
 87 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 his staff, Lieutenant-Governor, Supreme Court and state 
 officials. 
 
 Memorial Services were held in the Fort Street Presbyter- 
 ian Church, Detroit, Michigan, the evening of March 24, 
 1907. 
 
 Memorials of sorrow and regret at the death of General 
 Alger were adopted by the Military Order of the Loyal 
 Legion, by Posts of the Grand Army of the Republic all over 
 the country, by the Common Council of Detroit, by the Cham- 
 ber of Commerce of Detroit, by innumerable patriotic and 
 beneficiary societies, by the People's State and other banks, 
 by Trust Companies, by churches and charitable institutions 
 in almost every state, but no one would have touched his heart 
 more than the resolutions adopted by the Newsboys of Detroit 
 at the service they held in his memory. 
 
 e^ 
 
 88 
 
2.eQ:t0latit3e ^roceeliing:© 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF THL LLGI5LATURL 
 
 Death of Senator Russell A. Alger. 
 
 The following message from the Governor was received 
 and read in the Senate and House respectively: 
 
 Executive Office^ 
 Lansing, January 24, 1907. 
 
 To the Speaker of the House of Representatives: 
 
 Sir: — Honorable Russell A. Alger^ Senator of the 
 United States from Michigan, died at Washington, D. C, 
 at 8 145 a. m., January 24th, 1907, thereby creating a vacancy 
 in the representation of this State in the Senate of the United 
 States. 
 
 Full of years and honors, Senator Alger has gone to his 
 reward. It falls to the lot of few men to serve their state 
 and nation in such exalted stations. Not alone because of the 
 honors and responsibilities that came to him in civil life do we 
 revere his memory. As a Michigan soldier he rendered dis- 
 tinguished services in the War of Rebellion. Michigan never 
 failed during the lifetime of Senator Alger to testify to 
 her love and devotion for him when the opportunity presented 
 itself and it is fitting in the highest degree that arrangements 
 be made by the Legislature of the State he loved and honored 
 for services at which proper expression may be given of the 
 loss our State has sustained. 
 
 Very respectfully, 
 
 Fred M. Warner, 
 
 Governor. 
 
 91 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 By unanimous consent the House returned to the order of 
 motions and resolutions. Mr. Weiss offered the following 
 resolution : 
 
 HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 26. 
 
 Whereas, Intelligence has been received of the sudden 
 death at Washington of General Russell A. Alger, one of 
 the Senators from Michigan in the Congress of the United 
 States; and 
 
 Whereas, The services of General Alger in war and 
 peace have been signalized by conspicuous devotion to duty, 
 unflinching courage, wisdom and patriotism and have been 
 freely rendered to the state and the nation; therefore 
 
 Resolved by the House (the Senate concurring), That a 
 committee to consist of three Senators and three Representa- 
 tives be appointed to prepare suitable resolutions and to 
 arrange for memorial exercises; and be it further 
 
 Resolved, That a committee to represent the Legislature, 
 and to consist of the President, the President Pro Tem, the 
 Secretary and the Sergeant-at-Arms of the Senate and five 
 Senators, the Speaker, the Speaker Pro Tem, the Clerk, the 
 Sergeant-at-Arms of the House and ten Representatives, 
 attend the funeral of General Alger, at Detroit. 
 
 The resolution was adopted. 
 
 The Speaker announced as the committee to prepare reso- 
 lutions and arrange Memorial Exercises, Messrs. Greusel, 
 McCarthy and Burdick; and as the committee to attend the 
 funeral, Messrs. Weiss, Burns, Powers, Folks, Dust, Trabbic, 
 Henry, Campbell, Davis and Perry. 
 
 The Select Committee appointed on the part of the House 
 under House Resolution No. 26, by Mr. Greusel, Chairman, 
 made the following report : 
 
 The Select Committee of the Senate and House of Rep- 
 resentatives appointed to arrange a program of exercises in 
 
 92 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 memory of the late Russell A. Alger^ United States Sen- 
 ator from Michigan, make the following recommendations: 
 
 That the Senate and House of Representatives convene in 
 joint session in the Hall of the House of Representatives on 
 Wednesday, April lo, 1907, at 8:00 o'clock p. m., and that 
 the Memorial Exercises be made a special order for that time. 
 
 The committee further report that Rev. Edward H. Pence, 
 D. D., will deliver an invocation, and that Hon. J. C. Burrows, 
 Hon. Wm. Alden Smith, Hon. Don M. Dickinson and Gen. 
 Henry M. Duffield will make addresses on that occasion, and 
 that former Gov. John T. Rich, Gov. Fred M. Warner, Lieut.- 
 Gov. Patrick H. Kelly and the Chairmen of the House and 
 Senate Committees will take part in the exercises. 
 
 The State officers, the members of the Supreme Court and 
 the officers of the Military Department, of the G. A. R., and 
 of the Spanish War Veterans, will be invited to attend. Cards 
 of invitation will be furnished the members of the two houses 
 severally for distribution. 
 
 The report was accepted and adopted, and concurred in by 
 the Senate. 
 
 By unanimous consent, Mr. Greusel offered the following 
 resolution : 
 
 HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 42. 
 
 Resolved, That the Hall of Representatives be reserved for 
 the evening of April lo, 1907, for a joint session of the two 
 houses to be held on that evening in memory of the late 
 General Russell A. Alger, United States Senator from 
 Michigan, and that the proper officers of the House arrange 
 the necessary seats for invited guests and visitors, and other- 
 wise prepare the hall for the occasion. 
 
 The resolution was adopted. 
 
 The Select Committee appointed on the part of the House 
 under House Resolution No. 26, by Mr. Greusel, Chairman, 
 made the following report: 
 
 The Select Committee of the Senate and House of Rep- 
 resentatives appointed to make arrangements for exercises 
 in memory of the late Russell A. Alger, United States 
 
 93 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 Senator from Michigan, recommend the adoption of the fol- 
 lowing program for Wednesday evening, April lo, in the 
 Hall of the House of Representatives : 
 
 1. Invocation — Rev. E. H. Pence, D. D., of Fort Street 
 
 Presbyterian Church, Detroit. 
 
 2. Opening Remarks — Hon. Patrick H. Kelley, Lieutenant 
 
 Governor of Michigan. 
 
 3. Resolutions — Hon. J. Edward Bland, Chairman Joint 
 
 Committee. 
 
 4. Address — Hon. Joseph Greusel, Chairman House Com- 
 
 mittee. 
 
 5. Address — Hon. Julius C. Burrows, Senior United States 
 
 Senator from Michigan. 
 
 6. Address — Hon. Fred M. Warner, Governor of Mich- 
 
 igan. 
 
 7. Address — Hon. Don. M. Dickinson, Former Postmaster 
 
 General. 
 
 8. Address — Gen. Henry M. Duffield. 
 
 9 Address — Hon. John T. Rich, Former Governor of 
 Michigan. 
 
 10. Address — Hon, William Alden Smith, United States 
 Senator from Michigan. 
 
 The report was adopted. 
 
 Under messages from the House, the above resolution was 
 read in the Senate and the resolutions were unanimously 
 adopted. 
 
 The President of the Senate also announced the following 
 committee on the part of the Senate to attend the funeral : 
 Senators Ely, Martindale, Russell, Tuttle and Yeomans. 
 
 The President also announced the following committee to 
 act on the part of the Senate in the arrangements for the 
 General Alger Memorial Exercises : Senators Bland, Wet- 
 more and Smith. 
 
 94 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 House of Representatives, 
 Lansing, April loth, 7:40 o'clock p. m. 
 
 The House was called to order by the Speaker pro tern. 
 
 The Speaker pro tern announced that the House, in accord- 
 ance with the recommendation of the committee appointed on 
 the part of the House under House Resolution No. 26, would 
 meet with the Senate in joint convention at 8 o'clock p. m. 
 
 Mr. J. S. Monroe moved that a special committee, con- 
 sisting of three members, be appointed to notify the Senate 
 that the House was ready to meet in joint convention. 
 
 The motion prevailed. 
 
 The Speaker pro tem appointed as such committee, Messrs. 
 J. S. Monroe, Farrell and Nank. 
 
 The Sergeant-at-Arms announced the committee appointed 
 to wait on the Senate. 
 
 The committee, through its chairman, Mr. J. S. Monroe, 
 reported that it had performed the duty assigned to it, and 
 was discharged. 
 
 The Sergeant-at-Arms announced the Lieutenant Gov- 
 ernor and members of the Senate, who were admitted and con- 
 ducted to seats. 
 
 95 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 JOINT CONVLNTION 
 
 Lansing, April loth, 1908. 
 
 The joint convention was called to order by the President 
 of the joint convention, Hon. Patrick H. Kelley, President 
 of the Senate. 
 
 The President of the joint convention announced in a 
 short address that the two Houses of the Legislature had 
 met to hold joint Memorial Exercises in memory of Hon. 
 Russell A. Alger. 
 
 The roll of the Senate was called by the Secretary, who 
 announced that a quorum of the Senate was present. 
 
 The roll of the House was called by the Clerk, who 
 announced that a quorum of the House was present. 
 
 Representative McCracken moved that a committee con- 
 sisting of three members be appointed to wait on the Gover- 
 nor and staff and invite them to be present at the joint conven- 
 tion. 
 
 The motion prevailed. 
 
 The President of the joint convention appointed as such 
 committee. Representatives McCracken and Miller and Sen- 
 ator Cady. 
 
 Senator Wetmore moved that a committee consisting of 
 three members be appointed to wait on the Justices of the 
 Supreme Court and invite them to be present at the joint con- 
 vention. 
 
 The motion prevailed. 
 
 The President of the joint convention appointed as such 
 committee, Senator Wetmore and Representatives Mont- 
 gomery and Bierd. 
 
 Representative Stannard moved that a committee consist- 
 ing of three members be appointed to wait upon the State 
 officers and invite them to be present at the joint convention. 
 
 The motion prevailed. 
 
 96 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 The President of the joint convention appointed as such 
 committee Representatives Stannard and WilHtts and Sen- 
 ator Fairbanks. 
 
 The Sergeant-at-Arms announced the committee appointed 
 to wait on the Governor and staff and invite them to attend the 
 joint convention. 
 
 The committee, through its chairman, Representative 
 McCracken, reported that it had performed the duty assigned 
 it and was discharged. 
 
 The Sergeant-at-Arms announced the Governor and staff, 
 who were admitted and conducted to seats. 
 
 The Sergeant-at-Arms announced the committee appointed 
 to wait on the Justices of the Supreme Court and invite them to 
 attend the joint convention. 
 
 The committee, through its chairman, Senator Wetmore, 
 reported that it had performed the duty assigned it and was 
 discharged. 
 
 The Sergeant-at-Arms announced the Justices of the Su- 
 preme Court, who were admitted and conducted to seats. 
 
 The Sergeant-at-Arms announced the committee appointed 
 to v/ait on the State officers and invite them to attend the 
 joint convention. 
 
 The committee, through its chairman. Representative 
 Stannard, reported that it had performed the duty assigned it 
 and was discharged. 
 
 The Sergeant-at-Arms announced the State officers, who 
 were admitted and conducted to seats. 
 
 At the conckision of the Memorial Exercises, Senator 
 Bland moved that the joint convention adjourn. The motion 
 prevailed, the time being lo 140 o'clock p. m. 
 
 Elbert V. Chilson, 
 
 Secretary of the Senate. 
 
 Charles S. Pierce, 
 
 Clerk of the House of Representatives. 
 
 Secretaries of the Joint Convention. 
 
 97 
 
RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 
 
 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 70 
 
 Mr. Seeley offered the following Resolution, which was 
 adopted : 
 
 Resolved, By the Senate, the House concurring, that the 
 Legislature provide for the publication of two memorial 
 volumes, to contain the memorial exercises by the Legislature 
 in honor of the late Senator Russell A. Alger^ and the mem- 
 orial exercises by the Legislature in honor of the late Governor 
 A. T. Bliss, respectively; that said volumes include the reso- 
 lutions, addresses and letters and telegrams of regret and 
 sketches of the lives of the men in whose honor the exercises 
 were held ; that each edition consist of five hundred copies and 
 that the work be done under the direction of the State Board 
 of Auditors, who are hereby authorized to incur the necessary 
 expense therefor; that the respective chairmen of the House 
 and Senate select committees in charge of such exercises be 
 invited and authorized to aid in editing and compiling the 
 necessary data, relative to said exercises. And that when 
 completed said works be delivered to the Secretary of State 
 and that one copy of each volume be sent to the Governor, 
 Lieutenant-Governor, to each Senator and Representative in 
 the Legislature and to each officer of the Senate and House 
 of Representatives at their respective home addresses; also a 
 sufficient number of copies to the family of General Alger 
 and to the family of Governor Bliss, one copy of each volume to 
 the representatives in Congress from the State of Michigan, 
 one copy to each of those participating in the respective exer- 
 cises and to the newspaper editors at the respective homes of 
 the persons in whose honor the exercises were held, and the 
 remaining volumes to go to the State Library for distribution 
 among the several public libraries of the state as far as 
 necessary. 
 
 98 
 
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