Los Angeles herald., 1891-04-25
The Presidential Party at the
Channel City.
Unique Entertainment Afford
ed by the Barbarians.
A Pleasant Excursion to the Old
Santa Barbara Mission.
Harrison Compelled to Desist from
Handshaking on Account of Hav-
ing Pinched His Digits.
Associated Press Dispatches.

unique and characteristic manner. 1t
is the first time in the history of this
ancient Spanish city, that it has been
honored with the presence of the chief
magistrate OF the United States, and
that its citizens appreciated this fact
was amply shown today by the enthusi-
astic character of their welcome. A
large committee of citizens met the par
ty at San Buenaventura. Itseems as if
the entire population was gathered at
the station when the trail. rolled in,
about A 80 O'Clock. A procession was
formed at the station, composed of a
cavalcade of Spanish citizens in their
native costumes, the Grand Army and a
brigade of children and citizens in gaily
decorated carriages. The party was
first escorted to the Promenade Des An
glais, beautiful drive, bordered on
both sides with mountains, dotted with
picturesque villas. Here they witnessed
A BATTLE OF FLOWERS
participated in by ladies and gentlemen
in open carriages, so covered with flowers
that they were completely obscured.
Each carriage was provided with pro-
fusion of small boquets, and as they
passed in converging lines, the Occu-
pants threw the flowers at each other
with zest and precision. The utmost
good nature characterized the battle,
which was pleasantly interspersed with
merry laughter and badinage. Some OF
the turnouts were real works of art,
with natures most beautiful products
as the basis. One carriage was boat
of violets, another was mass of PAM
pas plumes; the others were equally
beautiful, being variously embellished
with nasturtiums, wild mustard bios
SONS. marguerites, acacias, Gala lilies,
orange blossoms, marigolds, geraniums,
roses, etc. The president and party
viewed the picturesque battle from a
grand stand simply covered with flow
ers. There were four columns along
the front, in the construction of which
it is estimated that nearly 10000 calla
lilies were used.
ESCORTED TO THE MISSION.
When the battle was finished the
president and party were escorted by
the late contestants and cavalcade of
ladies and gentlemen in Spanish cos
tune to the old Santa Barbara Mission.
The party were received here by Father
O'Keefe, the superior, and his assist
ants, and shown through that historic
edifce. By virtue of a special dispen-
sation, the entire party, including Mrs.
Harrison and the other ladies, were ad-
mitted into the mission garden. The
president thanked Father O'Keefe very
cordially for the special privileges ac-
corded his party.
NO MORE HANDSHAKING.
The procession then escorted the party
to the Arlington hotel, where dinner
was provided, after which the presi.
dent held reception in the parlOrs of
the hotel. There was large crowd in
attendance, but the usual handshaking
was omitted. This was due to the fact
that the presidents right hand is tenn
porarily disabled, the result of the ex-
cessive use Of that member since the
presidents departure from Washing
ton, and to slight accident met with
on the train just before reaching Santa
Barbara. He was passing from one car
to another while the train was in mo-
ton, and in endeavoring to close the
door behind him, caught his hand be-
tween it and the jarnb and crushed it so
that it was not deemed prudent for him
to use it during the remainder of the
day at least.
THE PRESIDENTS SPEECH.
In response to an address of welcome
by ex-Congressman Vandever, the pres
ident spoke as follows:
General Vandever, Gentlemen of the
Committee and friends-If / had been
in any doubt as to the fact of the perfect
identity of your people with the Ameri
can nation, that doubt has been dis
placed by one incident of this trip. and
that is that the great and predominant
and all-pervading American habit of de-
manding speech on every occasion has
been characteristically prominent in
California. Laughter.] / am more
than delighted by this visit to your
city. 1t has been made brilliant
with the display of bunting and
flowers, the emblem of our national
greatness, and proves the others the
adornment which God has given te
beautify nature. With all this, 1 am
sure have read in the faces of the men
women and children who have greeted
me, that these things, these flowers oi
the field and this flag, representing the
organized government, typify that
which is to be found in the homes o.
California. The expression of your
welcome today has been unique and
tasteful beyond description. / have moi
the words to express the high sense o.
appreciation and the amazement that
filled the minds of all our party as VIZ
looked upon this display which you
improvised for our reception. No ele
ment of beauty, no element OF taste, nc
element of gracious kindness has beer
lacking in it, and for that we tender vol
all our most hearty thanks. We shal
keep this visit bright spot in oul
memories. IApplause.]
THE EVENINGS ENTERTAINMENT.
After the reception ball took plac
at the hotel, during which there wer
several old-fashioned Spanish dances b.
ladies in costume. This was followed b,
banquet to the president, Secretar,
Rusk, Postmaster-General Wanamake