The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-08-19
The Presidents TOur-Al rival at Bedford
SpviWgs-Incidents or tine Journey.
[Cor. Of the PhiladelpniA News Aug IL

The Prssident's TouI-A, rival at Bedford
[Cor. Of the Phila delpnia News Aug Is
BEDFORD SPRINGS, Aug. Is, 1919.
The President has at length arrived at this de-
hehtful summer retreat, and In impaired health.
Since yesterday his recovery has been rapid yet
he ID still not in that robust condition which he
was few days previous TO leaving Washington.
Yesterday morning, at Chambersburg, notwith-
standing the rain, which poured down in torrents,
the crowd which had assembled both In the hotel
and outside, was most dense, occupying all the
square In front, and presenting an unbroken sur
face of wet hats and dripping umbrellas. The
house where the President was staying was crowd
ed In every part; men, women and children were
all mixed up In strange confusion-some of them
unable to gain admlttance In consequence OF the
crowd, and some waiting for the third or fourth
interview. Those who, could not get a sight of
the General, in the simplicity and curiosity Of their
hearts, requested that the room IN which he slept
might be thrown open, that they might see his
baggage, or his pilot cloth overcoat. which still
had the powder of Buena Vista upon it-anything
else that the General had touched would be afavor
TO see.
Eleven o'clock was the hour named by the Pre-
sident tor his departure. The coach, which had
the door, and, punctua even to moment, as he
always is, General Taylor descended the steps
through the crowd, bidding them ''good bye" and
''God bless you" The rain continued to pour
down, but the boys gathered around the General,
shaking HIM by the hand with all the warmth and
ardor Of youthful affection, which was returned
Hundreds were crowded about the carriage, each
STRIVING 10 have last parting word as if it were
long, last farewell of dearest friend.
AT length the crowd opened RICH: and left, and
the coach rolled away at brisk rot, the shouts OF
the people continuing till the party out OF hear
ing distance. All along on the road, people had
assembled to see the President as he passed; but
the day being unpleasant and raw, he did not stop
generally, except at the villages. Passing small
but busy brick school house, OF rather humble pre-
tensions, the President remarked that there was
the true element OF national strength-mOre for
nldabe and efiectual against the entertainments of
anarchy and tyranny, than all the cannons of Wa
terloo, or the soldiers of Napoleon. Education he
said, was the buwark of American liberty, and the
country schoolhouse the arsenal from which the
cause of freedom must ever draw her supplies.
These are sentiments worthy of Washington,
Hancock, Adams, or any of the founders Of the re-
public.
Stopping at small settlement on the road, the
| President alighted, and entered the tavern, in
which were gathered all the raIny-day population
! Of the place. They were rough but honest men,
n ihsr s sleeves aPa . iIg ASSURED ~
round him, and talked with freedom and ! tamili-
arity. Stepping up 10 a somewhat better dressed
man than the others, whose appearance indicated
| that he might be sort of village factotmm and
who had stood aloof until now, the President ex-
tended his hand, but met no response. The man
was in dilemma. The General looked, and the
crowd wondered The man said finally in
der tone, as If he was really sorry from the bottom
"a
voted against your Snatching his hand, the
President said. Is that all never inquire about
that am as glad to meet you any man in the
crowd. | am the President of the people, and not
o.e.-.,y. / did not come to see wings or demo-
ali eousIly and n Ses 'he people am friend to
ment as to secure TO them all equal iisi.s and pri-
vileges."
The Presidents knowledge of the geographical
position Of the country Is astonIshlngy extensive
and accurate. The distances, the sltuatlon the posi-
| flln h0 nat nj q
tanning TO II, he described with quick exactness-
Nor is this confined to Pennsy lvania Every por-
ton and section of the Union, whether Vermont or
Louisiana, Pennsylvan or Ohio, he referred to
| with the same accuracy and ease as II he had re-
| sided in each for a lifetime. OF all the various
interests Of the countryside resources and require.
nienis Of each sectiOn-lhe conflicting claims OF all
our public men, both past and present, and of our
foreign aiairs-the position OF things IN Europe and
their relation TO affairs here-he spoke with bold
Dess and accuracy showing well cultivated and
/ obs CRYING mind. Those OF the Presidents enc
mics who have been mallgnng and specializing
upon what they supt rclliously affect to believe In
regard to his capacities and requirements in public
affairs, would be put To confusion by few simple
| facts winch they may at some day discover.
| Al McConnellstown, a small place near one OF
the mountain ridges, a collection stood In the rain
aw waiting the Presidents arrival As the coach
dreve up, they gathered around It, eager TO see the
ssman Of Buena VISTA as they called him, yet hall
AFRAID to touch him. The President at alight-
ed amongst them, taking each by the hand in that
|
sur,d them. They expected speech, bat the
President too weak. They then called for
| Gsv. Johnston, whose easy manners and Tree in
trrcourse with the people are no less remarkable
than n O Of Gen. Taylor himself The people he
vered around their illustrois guests, and Governor
! Johnston, IN an ofihand manner, said that he
much regretted that the President was not now In
that robust health winch he had all along enjoyed
until reaching Harrisburg; but he knew II he was
able, it would give him the greatest satisfaction to
8 eak 10 them.
AZ . o'clock the President, Governor, and suite
| arrived AT the " Crossings" Of the Juniata-l3
IN les from Chamber.burg, and IA FROM Bedford,
where they stopped for the al small but neatly
kept tavern, which was already filled with drovers
aud travellers from the West. After NEE ting those
! who had assembled, the President retired some
what iaigurd, aud arose in the morning greatly
refreshed and much recovered from his attack
Setting out at O'Clock, under cool, bracng air,
and pleasant sunshine, the ride through tne noun
tam gaps was romantic and beautiful. Forty years
before the Pretident had travelled the same path,
then trackless Wilderness, with his knapsack on
his back his aims his side, his life in bis strong
! right hand and stout heart-on he went over the
| mountains and through the vales, sleeping at
| night IN the forest-a youth, poor, unbonored, and
1 unknown. To return so soon, (man's life is shortly
| the President OF twenty-five inons OF people, MS
| path everywhere strewn with flowers, and be
greeted by the loud hosannas of the thousands Of
] voice. mingled with grateful praise, must
have called up feelings which we cannot fathom.
At every stage Of The journey, The escort which
started from "the Crossings" was swelled by
laige additions OF cars, horses, and carriages, and
/ men On foot, SO that the procession, on entering
/ Bedford, was nearly half mile in length
/ The band belonging to the Springs was IN at
| tsndance the windows OF all the houses were
festooi ed with flowers the ladies' were out at the
doors and windows, and everything was IN com
motion. After the tumut had subsidized, Mr. John
| Mower delivered an eloquent aud finished address
IN w wotds, extending w, lcome to General
Taylor on behalf Of the people. The President re-
/ pll,d as follows
IL IL With no ordinary feeling OF gratitude and pride,
my fellow citizens that witness tine sincerity eyncsd
In ny reception, by the welcome which you bid me.
The sth time which have psssed IN the service
my country In the tent aud upon the battle field,
has prevented from meeting my fellow countrymsn,
aud has given me no opportunity TO address them,
either socially upon these great questions aud prin-
cipies which sgitaIe and support our republic am
Zoo v.ak even did desire IL 70 d. GUS them