Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1886-10-22
A VISIT TO DIXIE LAND.
PRESIDENT CLEVELAND ATTENDS
THE FAIR AT RICHMOND, VA.

He Is Accompanied by Some Members OF
the Cabinet, but the Ladies Are Con-
spicuously Absent-Cleveland'sS Speech
to the Southern Farmers-An Enthusias-
tic Reception.
RICHMOND, Va, Oct, 22,-The special
train bearing the president, accompanied by
Secretaries Beyard, Endicott, Postmaster
General Villas and Private Secretary Lamont
left Washington Thursday morning for this
city to attend the fair Of the Virginia Agri-
cultural association. The Journey was con-
tinued ovation throughout, the party being
vociferously cheered at every station. The
special reached here at II :32 a m The re-
ception was roaring ovation of voices. The
sun shone brightly on the chief executive and
his party as they emerged from the car and
were met by the local committee of citizens
The Horse guards came to present . lifted
their helmets and, as soon as the visitors We're
seated in the carriages, wheeled about and
proceeded the cavalcade to the fair ground,
three-quarters of mile distant Upon
reaching the fair ground the presidential
party were driven to the building occupied
by the general officers, and shortly afterward
the executive emerged from the balcony
overlooking the fair ground, where he was
presented to the multitude by Governor Fitz
Hugh Lee in neat address
At the conclusion of Governor Lees speech
the president was introduced and in a clear
voice spoke as follows;
FELLOW CITIZENS OF VIRGINIA; While
thank you most sincerely for your kind re-
ception, and recognizing in its heartiness the
hospitality for which the people of Virginia
have always been distinguished, | am Tullv
aware that your demonstration of welcome is
rendered not to an individual but to an in
Cumbent of the office which crowns the gov
ernment Of the United States The state of
Virginia, the mother of presidents, seven of
whose sons have filled that high office, to-day
greets president who for the first time meets
Nrglnans upon Nirginian soil congratu.
late myself tha my ilrst introduction to the
people OF Virginia occurs at
time when they are surrounded by
the exhibits of the productiveneSs and pros
perity of their state Whatever there NAV
be of honor in her history, and however
much pride there may be in her traditions,
her true greatness is here exemplitied in
our sisterhood of states the leading and most
commanding place must he gained and kept
by that commonwealth which, hv the labor
and intelligence of her citizens can produce
the most of those things which meet the
necessities and desires of mankind, But the
full advantage of that which may be Welded
10 state by the toll and ingenuity of her
people is not measured alone hy the money
value of the product. 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
sclf-rellant, and independent men, and cult
yate that product which more than all others
enobleS a state-a patriotic, earnest. American
citizenship. This will flourish in every part
OF the American domain; neither drouth or
rain can injure it, for it takes root in true
hearts, enriched by love of country. There
are no new varieties in this production. 1t
must I've the same wherever seen. and its
quality Is neither sound nor genuine unless il
grows To deck and heautify an entire and
united nation; nor uni ess it supports and sIis-
talns the institutions and the gov
ernment founded to protect Amer
ican liberty and happiness. The
present administration of the government
is pledged to return for such hushandry,
not only promises, but actual tenders of
fairness and justice, with equal protection
and full participation in national achieve
ments. If in the past we have been es-
ranged, and the cultivation Of American
citizenship has been interrupted YOUR en-
thusiastlc welcome of today demonstrates
that there Is an end to such estrangement
and that the time of suspicion and fear is
succeeded by IN era of faith and confidence
In such kindly atmosphere and beneath
such cheering skies, | greet the people of Vir-
GINA as colaborers i'll the field where grows
the love OF our united country God grant
that IN the years TO come. Nirginia-the old
dOminion-the mother of presidents-sbe
looked on the nation at its birth-may not
only increase her trophies of growth in agri-
| culture and manufactures but that she NAV
he among the first of the states in the cultiva-
| ton of true American citizenship
ii was some minutes after the president
had finished before the cheering, salutes from
the cannon and other demonstrations sub
sided. When there was quiet, Governor
Lee stepped forward and presented Secre-
| taries Bayard and Endicott and Postmaster
General Villas who simply bowed Il recogni-
ton to the audience
immediately the distinguished visitors re
paired to the office of the president of the
Virginia Agricultural society, where an in
formal reception was held For about an
hour the people streame1 through the build
ing and shook hands with the president and
his cabinet officers At the conclusion of the
reception lunch was partaken of, and the
party saw the races and the exhibits.
Governor Lee received telegram Wetlnes-
day night from the president saving that
Mrs Cleveland and ladies of the cal met
would not accompany him, and that his en-
gngeme nts would neccssitate an early return
to Washington. Great surprise was ex-
pressel at this sudden change a number of
citizens interviewed expressed the belief that
the action OF the president was in conse-
quence Of Miss Winnie Davis. daughter of ex-
President Davis, being guest of the glber-
material mansion, and that she would in all
probability he one Of the reception party.