The Portland daily press., 1877-06-29
PRESIDENT HAYES.
HIS VISIT TO PROVIDENCE.
How He Was Received and Enter.
tanned.

PROVIDENCE, r. T., June 2S.-President
Hayes and his party left Boston at s o'clock
this morning, Colonies Potter and Allen, of
Governor Van Zandt's staff, accompanied them
from Boston. At Mansfield the train was met
by committee of the Rhode Island Legisla-
ture, with United States Marshal Coggshal land
Senator ID. b. Anthony. Mr.. Tillinghast, chair
man OF the legislative committee, addressed the
President as follows:
Mr.. President,-It affords me the highest
pleasure to be permitted, on behalf of the Joint
select committee of the General Assembly, to
welcome to the freedom and to the hospitality
OF the State of Rhode Island, the Chief Magis-
trate of the United States. We welcome you
as me chosen rulerlof free and happy people,
and OF the true representative of the best gov
eminent known to mankind. Our people have
anticipated your visit to Rhode Island with
ever increasing delight and enthusiasm, and
they are eager to assure you, by unmistakable
evidence, that they appreciate your efforts in
behalf of honest and good government. To
the members of your cabinet, to the ladies, and
to all other persons comprising your party
extend cordial welcome. Rhode Island opens
wide her doors to receive her distinguished
guests, and she will reflect great honor on her
self by greatly honoring them. A more formal
reception will be rendered to you, sir, by his
excelency, the Governor, on your arrival at
Providence.
The President, in response, simply expressed
thanks to the State of Rhode Island for the cor
dial reception rendered him.
The gaily decked train proceeded to Provi-
dence slowly. At the State line salute of q
guns was fired. The railroad through Central
Falls and Pawtucket was lined with enthusiast
tic people. The President appeared on the
platform, but the train did not stop.
When the train arrived at the station in
Providence, Exchange place, except the reserv-
ed space, was packed with solid mass of PEG.
Pile, who were in most enthusiastic mood.
The Presidential salute was fired as the train
came into the depot.
The President was Immediately escorted to
a carriage in the military line already formed
and awaiting his arrival. The line was under
command of Major General Burnside, and
comprised 1900 veteran soldiers of Rhode
Island. with the First Light Infantry regiment
commanded by Colonel Goodnow. The column
moved from Exchange Place to the executive
mansion, where the President was formally
welcomed by Governor Van Zandt. In reply,
the President said he accepted the welcome
with great qualification, feeling sure that it
was not rendered to him personally, but because
the people of Rhode Island believe with him
in the sentiment expressed by Webster, that
we have lone country, one constitution, one
destiny"
After this ceremony the President was taken
in charge BY committee of the Veterans
Association, and proceeded to the steamer
City OF Newport, especially chartered for his
accommodation, and at half-past eleven o clock
rked for Rocky Point, twelve miles down
the bay, where many thousand people were
waiting to greet him. He was accompanied
by Governor Van Zandt, Senator Anthony, the
state officers, and nearly all the members of
the General Assembly.
The procession and the gathering were such
as Providence has never before seen. The
President made fine impression everywhere
along the line of march.
On the trip of the boat down the river an ele-
CANT collation. was served, which inspired
sociabllity, and the time passed very agreeably.
A poem printed on parchment was presented
to the President by DIR, j. b Greene as the ex-
pressive of the sentiments of New England. In
presenting the ode to the President, entitled
SLEW to the Line" Mayor Hamlin, of Bangor,
spoke of it as a lumberman's idea from the
Pine Tree State. As the theme had been set to
music and illustrated by two sons of Rhode
Island, he said it was proper that he should call
upon ex-Gov. Lippitt, of Rhode Island, and
have him read it to the President.
Ex-Goy. Lippitt then addressed Gen. Hayes
and called attention to his meeting him in
Philadelphia during the Centennial exhibition.
He said be promised him there that Rhode Is
land would give him as many votes in proper
ton to its slze as any other state and he was
sorry that the state had not redeemed his
pledge She did, however, give about so per
cent. of her votes over his opponent. He com.
mended Mr.. Hayes Southern policy and the
recent order in relation to federal officers in.
terferrlng with local elections. In presenting
the ode he said that he hoped its sentiments
would meet the Presidents approval.
In accepting the gift the President said:
It is quite unnecessary to make pledges and
perhaps this is not the place to make pledges.
The hest that can be done is to try, that is the
most can promise to you now.
Rocky Point was black with people and the
crowd was the largest ever there. When the
boat reached the wharf soon after noon Col,
Isaac Potter, chairman of the veteran reunion
committee, came on board and escorted the
President out on the wharf where he was re-
ceived by Gen. Burnside who welcomed him in
behalf of the veterans.
The President replied by expressing pleasure
at meeting the veterans of Rhode Island, and
at knowing he had their support and approval,
and expressing the hope that his actions would
be such in the future as to merit the contnu-
ance of that approval. The President, accom-
panied by Gen. Burnside, Col. Potter, Senator
Anthony and the remainder of the Presiden-
tial and Gubernatoral party, was then conduct
ed to the dining hall, and was received with
rounds of cheers and applause and a military
salute from the veterans, the crowd singing
and cheering all the time After partaking Of
genuine Rhode Island clam bake, the Presi-
dent was escorted to his rooms in the hotel, but
In response to persistent calls went on the bal
cony and stood with uncovered head, amid
cheers of the vast throng. When the enthu-
siasm had subsidized the President spoke briefly,
introducing Attorney General Devens Speeches
followed from number of the guests