The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-02-28
JACKSONVILLE'S JOY
In Having the President Visit
the City.


course Of people. At 80 o'clock, after the
presidential party had taken lunch, the mar
shall Of the day, Major Harkishimer, with
twenty aides, formed the procession.
The line Of march was along the principal
streets, which were gay with decorations Of
all kinds, including evergreens, bunting, fes-
toons of oranges and orange tioaters. Masses
Of people in holiday attire lined the route and
it is estimated that 100000 citizens and WIS.,
tors witnessed the procession, including thou
sands Of northern tourists.
On the arrival Of the procession at the expo
sition building, another salute Of twenty guns
was fired by a detachment OF Wilson's bat
terry. The president, Mrs. Cleveland and
their party and visiting congressman were
met at the north entrance by the reception
committee OF the subtropical exposition, with
Director General Paine and officials Of the as
ISOLATION and were escorted to platform in
front OF the north gallery. The military thon
entered and stacked arms, except the guards
on duty. Seats were reserved on the platform
for representatives Of the city, state and Uni
ted States government, distinguished citizens
and committees.
When the president, Mrs. Cleveland and
accompanying guests were seated Colonel j.
j. Daniel delivered an address Of welcome, as
follows:
MI President: It is grateful Office to express TO
Mrs, Cleveland and yourself The qualification which
your presence here today affords us, and to extend
% you the most cordial welcome, kind wishes and
half Of the Sub-tr0piCH position and its manage.
ment the citizens Of Jacksonville, board OF trade
and the state OF FlorCa, one and ALL We feel
nssuied that YOU have atty honored US 10y accept
Jug our invitation 10 visit this exposition. II Is a
hRppy occurrence that on this day, commemorative
OF the birth Of the first president Of orr common
wealth, at the city named In honor Of the author Of
his illuslrious line 70 which administration your
own has been not unfitly compared the citizens OF
our state accorded the privilege of meeting
face TO face their chief magistrate, for whom they
ent rtain. can assure yon sentiments Of the most
~ q
Nhnt we desire most on this occasion IS that your
visit may PROV season Of recreation aud rest, both
10 Mrs. Cleveland and yourself and that you wil
in after ne, recur with pleasure 10 the memories of
your brief aQOun among as. Our only regret is
that It cannot be oiherwlee than brief This eXpos
non pofuHys 10 sou the varied products OF our state
il speaks more eioluenily than words Of mine can
tell OF the ATTRACTIONS which Florida presents and
the wealth which Les hidden in herself her forests.
her golden groves, her lakes and rivers and her
penipl cline. would lain speak to you, sir, Of
Florida, our fair mother whose praises her N0us are
ever ready TO rec.tc but Why should do more thHn
ray She stands BEFORE you venerable among the colo
mics of the old world, which first pcoplei
this western continent, radiant with
the bloom of years. You win have 70
battle I'm hcrs1uliQht etnIlo. 10 listen 10 the nelodv
OF her soft breezcs md catch the ian of her baimy
breath; to gather from her fragrant bosom tue
golden treasures which she offers, to look upon yon
noble river, pouring her commerce forth upon the
world ana see the lines Of rail radiaing from this
Ceaer to her remo,est limits in order TO proclaim
with us the charms, MS wei as the future promise of
cur beloved states Nor need dwell upOn our Ieo-
pie, except 20 say that here you viii find people
who represent not only the new south, but new
Here, sir the past is forgotten, leaving only the
deathess memories of It's achievements aud suffer.
fngg honorable like to those either side who
bore their part in the struggle manfuy and we'll
These sacred memories we W0uld cnshTine in the
glorious future which awaits our great and united
country 70 our city and state have come good
men and true, from every state and territory in
this broad union and here have they cGsped
ifatetnal hands around a hRllQWed circle within
which peace and prosperity Joined together
These one people on whom you look today, whose
voices ning.o, as do their hearts 10 do you honor
II Is for them, again, sir, bid you welcome, and
with them dcVoutly pray thnt the blessing of Al
mighty God-the goa of orr fathers and of our
tion-may rest upon you and be your guide in the
further administration Of the great trust witch thus
far you have so wisely and faithfully discharged,
and that to Mrs. Cleveland and yourself may come
in The fullest measure the choicest gifts His bounty
can hestow
When quiet had been restored the president
replied as follows:
am exceedingly grattfed that am able to see
the wonders of your state and TO meet its kind
hearted people, and the sincerity of your welcome
Inns made me already feel quito at my ease. ! am
sure that every person must DO impressed with the
extent of our country and the diversity of its eli
mate and products when he finds that by travelling
twenty -ioar hours within its limits, wiuterand snow
can be lctt behind and exchanged for the balmy
air and bloom and Verdure of summer. An
pleasure and comforts in any variety of
climate or IN almost any changed condition. has no
need 10 leave American soil or 10 lose the benefit
and freedom Of American institutions and laws. |
suppose the advantage of foreign travel should be
freely appreciated, but seems TO me that there is
enough in our own land TO interest aud instruct
ofentimcs with the greatest advantage, many of
our citizens who insist upon seeing the novelties
aud sights OF foreign countries.
There is, however satisfaction in the fact that
none OF these return without an increased upprCCia
ton of their home While this proves That orr cit
itenship and our patriotism can be relied upon as
against all the Establishments of the old world, /
have sometimes thought ii n good share of the time
thus sieht IN learning how much we loved our
country was devoted to acquiring u more intrinsic
knowledge OF itS beauties and It's advantages, both
our citizenship and oar patriotism might be I'M
proved expect my present OCCUPATION at the
seat of our government where our country and Its
people, ana all their needs are constantly subjects
OF thought and care makes II hard tor NE 20
omit reference 20 these things and
ESGtn, ro, NV would ND, net m haze yoq
have taken is to he spent in any other way than in
the nocst enjoyment which your kindness and the
facilities of Your state and city offered want to
See TIE exhibition OF your products the scenery of
your river and the growth and perfection OF your
fruits inend that dutln my visit TO you, ollie nj
cares shall give way 10 Freedom, which You kindly
Invite, in the hope and expectation that with an
enlalEed conception OF the greatness and beauty Of
tomy rost tdu'y he'ier0h.e 70 serve you and my
The presidents reply was greeted with most
Vociterous and long continued applause.
President Cleveland resumed his seat, but ap-
plausc and cheering continued to break out
anew at short intervals, and at length {. H.
Jones stepped forward to the president and
suggested that tho people desired 10 see Mrs
ton, and rs Mrs. Cleveland arose lac took her
10y the hand and led her TO the front Then
broke forth perfect tempest Of cheering and
storm Of hand clappmg. Five thousand throats
poured forth their greeting, and hundreds of
waving handkcrchieis showed that the ladies
shared the enthusiasm and Joined in honoring
tie first lady of the land.
JAcKSoNNiLiE, tla.. February 2S-Ncstcr-
days lowering clouds vanished during
the night, and today furnished n typical
example Of Florida wiutcr sunshine. Tho
presidents party rose early, and, after break
fasting, were escorted to the Suh-uopcal ok
position, which they inspected thoroughly be-
fore the general public was admitted. Great
surprise was expressed 10y all at the opulenco
and variety OF flowers and fruit displayed. and
especially &c the oranges and characteristic
sub-troWcal plants. In the rustic building con-
tanning the exhibits of fernando, Pasco and
Citrus counties a fullsi1ed orange tree
covered with blooms and containing about
one hundred oranges had been placed near the
platform which Mrs. Cleveland assembled and
she enjoyed for the fms; time the experience OF
pluckiug orange blossoms and oranges from tho
tree .She tossed 10 the president tho first
orange She picked. but his hands were not
quick enough and he caught II ON his nose.
She offered him another. but he DECLINED. say
ing that man got into trouble long time ago
10y accepting fruit plVrkr0 and offered Lax "A