"Welcome, Ned!"

The Michigan Central Station was covered with flags. There was a reception committee of city officials. Aeroplanes circled overhead. A naval reserve unit was at hand to fire a salute. A train swept in, and Edwin Denby descended to meet Detroit's welcome. Factories and steamboats whistled. He marched to his car, and the Police Department band burst into melody.

A motorcycle police guard formed. Straight to the City Hall coursed the procession. Mayor Martin extended his hand: "Welcome home, Ned!"

In the evening, the homecomer and his admirers met again at a dinner held at the Board of Commerce. Edwin Denby rose to meet his welcome:

"I will not mar this occasion by any argument, explanatory or defensive, in regard to the matter that has clouded my days and shadowed my nights. I come neither asking forgiveness nor bowed down with shame; but proudly to proclaim to you that I have done no wrong nor aught that merits rebuke from you, my dearest friends.

"Twice before I have come home from war, back to Michigan, back to friendship, back to confidence and kindness. Now for the third time I come from war, made hateful by poisoned gas and base stratagems, from defeat without shame to welcome without flaw!"