The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1888-03-01


scomunniSiss of MI the Stsses II this vsst
oountry-hsve realized the same impulses
in recognition of his official position and
his personal worth that have animated
the people Of other Seates--have greeted
him with the same enthusiasm that has
been or would be displayed in any State,
from the Pacific to the Atlantic and
from the Gulf to the Lakes. Everywhere
are democrats, proud of the great leader
of their party-and everywhere are some
republicans willing to confess their ad-
miration for chief magistrate whose pa
triotic honesty of purpose is IS indisputa-
BILE as the eminent ability with which he
carries out his convictions. We are
glad to believe that wherever he goes the
popular heart will throb with the same
earnest warmth of welcome that met him
in Florida. This demonstrative feeling
is not "man-worship," as some one has
thoughtlessly said, but natural and
proper exhibition of the sentiment Gre
ated By the knowledge Of invaluable pub
lie services, noble character and intellect
ual power.
This was the spirit of the general
greeting of Mr.. Cleveland in Jackson
vile and wherever he went IN the State,
and an illustrious soldier who had won
the hearts of people BY carrying their
country's banner to victory could not
have been received with heartier acclaim
than the civilian chief who led the Ma
tional party to the overthrow of the Sec
tional party-and is expected to lead it
again, and continue for another term his
wise and firm administration Of the dut les
of the highest position in the govern
ment.
Jacksonville and ST. Augustine did them
selves immense credit by the extent and
good taste of decorative work The pro-
gress Of their guests was through streets of
evergreens, flowers and bunting-and
over all the matchless sky of Florida,
and the temperature was that of spring.
Everything combined to give the visitors
from the North just impressi on of our
climate and country-and people. At
the Exposition they we're ushered into
the midst of semi-tropicAl and sub
tropical surroundings, which at once sug-
gested and impressed the fact that Flor
ida is alone among the States as being
distinct, peculiar and singularly attract
i've in her productions. There the Presi-
dent and his wife looked down upon
thousands of welcoming faces amid
the growth of palm and orange
and varied fruit and foliage of
tropic growth, and the multitude
looked up to the massive form and the fes-
lures which his pictures have made famil-
lar to the world, and noted that her pic
lures do not do her justioe-for they can
not portray her grace of manner and
charm of expression. They sat amid flow
ers at the front Of the platform, and when
men had ceased to cheer and ladies to
wave their handkerchief, Jaoksonville's
first citizen, Col. J. J. Daniel, came to
the front and spoke the words of wei
come:
COLONEL DANIEL s ADDRESS
m. President:
III is my grateful office to express to Mrs
Cleveland and yourself the qualification which
your presence here to-day affords u.s. and 10 cx
tend 10 you, with most cordial welcome the
kind wishes and greetings of our people !
welcome you, sir, in behalf Of the Sub Tropical
Exposition and It's management the city oil
jacksonville and its Board OF Trade, the State
OF Florida and her people-one and oil
We feel, Sir, that you have greatly honored
US by accepting our invitation to visit this Ex
position. l, is happy coincidence that on this
day commemorative of the birth of the frs,
President of our common wealth, al q city named
IN honor of another of the illustrious line 10
whose vigorous administration your own has
been not unity compared, the citizens of our
State are accorded the rare privilege of meeting
face 70 face their Chief Magistrate, for whom
they entertain, can assure you, sentiments OF
the most profound affection and esteem
What we desire most on this occasion TO- that
your visit may prove season of recreation and
rest, both to Mrs Cleveland and yourself, and
tina, you will, In after life, recur with pleasure
TO the memories of your brief s0journ among US
Our only regret il that 1t cannot be otherwise
than brief
This Exposition displays to you the varied
products Of our State. Il speaks more eloquently
than words of mine can tell of the attractions
| which Florida presents, and the wealth which
lies hidden in her soil. her forests, her golden
groves, her lakes and her rivers, and her genia!
cline.
81 would fain speak to you, sir, of Florida
our fair mother, whose praises her sons are ever
ready 70 recite; but why should do more than
say ehe stands before you, venerable among the
colonies OF the Old World, which frst pe0pled
this western continent, yet radiant with the
bloom Of eternal youth.
"You have but TO battle In her sunlii smile, 10
listen to the melody of her sof breezes and catch
the perfume Of her balmy breath, to gather from
her fragrant bosom the golden treasure which she
o6erst to look upon yon noble river, pouring her
commerce forth upon the world, and see the lines
of rail fAdiatng from this centre to her rsmotest
limits in order to proclaim with rs the charms
q well O. the future promise Of our beloved State
Nor need dwell upon our people, excep,
to say that hsrc you win find people who rep
resent not only q new South, but q new era of
American life. Hare, sir, the past Ii forgotten,
snying only the deathle8 memories ofits achieve
meuts and fts suflerings honorable alike to those
On e3ther side, who bare thak part IN the strug-
ele manfnlly and wall Thsse sacred memories
We would eashrine in the glorions future which
awaits our great and united country.
ITO our city and State have come good men
and true, frum every Smte and Territory IN their
broad Union; and here have they clasped fra
tsrnal hands, around the hAllowed circle, with
In which peace and prosperity arc joi ned to-
gether.