The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1886-11-04

The Presidens In vlreania.
On the 2lst ult. President Cleveland visi-
tedthe State Fair at Richmond, accompa-
MED by several members of his cabinet.
His journey through Virginia was as tri-
umphal progress. At the stations along
the route crowds were assembled to greet
and cheer the democratic President, and
a great assemblage awaited his arrival ct
Richmond. On the portico Of the fair
building Gov. Lee extended the welcome
of the Commonwealth of Virginia to the
President of the Union, in an eloquent
address, in the course of which he said:
The old Mother of Presidents to .day welcomes
within her borders q President OF the United
States, and kn0w that voice tile sentiments
OF this vast multitude when tender to you and
the distinguished citizens and statesmen who
accompany YOU, a sincere, hearty and cordial
welcome To- Virginia virgiuians pol only feel
the most profound veneration Tor the high ofncs
whose duties you 90 ably discharge. but they
respect the man who fllls Il. We share, sir, the
feeling 81 prevalent elsewhere, that under your
administration the destinies Of the country have
oeen committed 10 wise, conservative and safe
hands, and that constitutional liberty b secure
We believe, Mr.. President that you will stand
arm in the defense Of the principles OF gov
ernment inaugurated by the iorelathers. The
mutterings Of discomfort have become hollow
toned, and recoi from your armor OF right ~
the dashing surges rebound from the rock barred
beach of the ocean.
The President spoke as follows:
Feliow-Cilizens of Virginia-While 1 thank
you most sincerely Tor your kind reception, and
| reCOUniZn in a hs.arf
which the people Of Virginia have always been
distinguished, am fully aware that your demon
stration OF welcome is rendered not to an indi-
vidual, but an incumbent OF an offlN which
crowns The government of the United States
The State Of Virginia, The mother of Presidents.
sevenof whose sons have filed that high office
to-day greels President, who, for the frat time,
meets Virginians upon VIrgua's soil
| congratulate myself that my first intr0duc-
tl"n To The peOple of Virginia occurs at = time
when they are surrounded by the exhibits of the
producliveness and prosperity OF their State
Whatever there may be in honor in her history
and however much of pride there may be in her
Traditions her true greatness Is here exemplified
In our sisterh0od OF States the leading and
most commanding place must be gained aud
Kept by that common wealth which, by the labor
and intelligence Of her citizens cap produce the
most of those thngs which meet the necessities
and desires OF mankind But the full advan.
tage OF that which may be yielded to State by
the toil and ingenuity OF her people is not meas
ured by the money value of the producia The
efforts and the struggles of her farmers and her
artisans not only create new values in the field
OF agriculture and in the arts and manufactures,
but they at the same time produce rugged, self
reliant and independent men and cultivate that
product which more than all others ennobles a
State
PATRIOTIC. EARNEST AMERICAN CrTIzENsHIP.
This will flourish in every part OF the Ameri-
can domain. Neither droulh nor rain can iniure
il, Tor il takes root in hearts enriched by love
oil country. There are no new varieties In this
production. 1t must be the same wherever seen,
and its quality is neither sound nor genuine uH-
less il grows 10 deck and beautify an entire and
united nation, nor unless il supports and sustans
The institutions and the government founded 70
protect American liberty and happiness
The present administration of the government
is pledged 10 return for such husbandry not only
promises but the actual tender O. fairness and JUS
tce, with equal protection and full partcipaiien
In national achievements II 10 the past we have
been esiranged and the cultivation of American
friendship has been interrupted, your enthusias-
tic welcome of to-day demonstrates that there 10
an end TO such estrangement, and that the time
of suspicion and fear is succeeded by an era of
faith and confidence
In such kind atmosphere and beneath such
charming skies greet the people of Virginia as
coaborers in the field where grows the love of
oui unh'tl Couutiy. 0Ou grant tuat in Tue years
To come Virginia-ihe old dominion, the mother
OF all Presidents, she who looked on the Dation's
birihday-miy not onlyincrease her trophies Of
growth in agriculture and ma ,ufactures but that
she may be among the first OF all these States in
the cultivation of true American citizenship.
The President was frequently inter-
rupted by hearty applause, and when he
concluded the immense crowd joined in 9
perfect ovation of cheers. Among the Ia
dies on the portico was Miss Winnie Da-
Wis, daughter of ex-President JEFF Davis,
to whom Mr.. Cleveland was introduced.
He shook hands and conversed with her,
expressing pleasure at meeting her.