The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1891-06-25

his acceptance by definite reply IN
the affirmative, he expressed warm ap-
probation of the cordial manner in
which he was invited, and promised
to come if he could SO arrange his
business affairs at the time. A press
dispatch from Washington gives the
following details:
The delegation, numbering about
100 prominent gentlemen, was headed
by Senator Ransom who, addressing
the President in conversational way,
said that he had the great honor and
the great pleasure of presenting to the
President this delegation of gentlemen
from the Southern States, very large
number OF whom were from his home,
some from the thirteen States and the
city of Raleigh. There were people
of that State and adjoining States who
were distinguished in history, and he
desired to express to the President the
great wish of the delegation that the
President and his Cabinet visit the
Southern Exposition in October. The
present delegation, he said, was the
largest ever visiting Washington for
such purpose. The Senator said that
owing to the necessary absence of the
Governor of North Carolina, who, he
was informed, could not leave the city
or cross the State line for official reas-
ons (there being no LieutenantGov-
ernor), the honor of presenting the
delegation was conferred upon him.
The Presiden! and the delegation
seemed quite amused at the excuse of
the Senator for the Governors absence,
and the former said !: "There is no
reflection on your people, l hope"
The Senator answered happily and
wittily. The President then said that
he appreciated the very cordial invita-
ton of the many who had come from
their homes and the impressive cor
diality of the invitation, and he felt
that it ought to receive serious consid
Grafton.
At this point Senator Ransom said
that his old friend, Senator Edmunds,
were he Present, would say that it was
the duty Of the president of the United
States to accept such an invitation
from the people.
The President replied that it was
kind of the Senator and the delegation
to put it in such terms. "Of course
he said, ri cannot tell what might
happen but I can assure you that |
do not doub: at all the evidence of
your respect or your assurance, and l
am sure l would be received with cor
diality and kindness, which is very
gratifying and greatly appreciated"
He said, however, that he could not
make promises. He was very chary
about making promises all through his
political life, because of criticisms
passed upon them. When he came
into the white house he adopted rule
never to make promises which might
interfere with public business. During
October and November, he, as we'll as
the delegation, anticipated busy times,
because of the reassembling of Con-
gress. He was obliged, he said, to
leave the matter open. He was, how
ever, in full sympathy with every
movement for the display of the coun-
try's magn 'fcent development and
material Prosperity in the arts and sci
ences. He would bear the invitation
in mind, and when the time arrived
he would see if he could arrange busi-
ness to accept the invitation.
Hon. Patrick Walsh, then, on behalf
of the people or Georgia and also
of North Carolina, invited the Presi-
dent to visit the Augusta exposition at
the same time. He said: 81 wish to
say to you that the people of these
states are Americans and that they are
patriotic and that you will be received
as President of the United States with
open hearts and arms
Mr.. VIM. E. Ashley, of Raleigh, the
architect Of the Exposition, then pre-
sented the President with handsome
invitation made of Southern pine, in
the form of book, the inside of which
contained samples Of the productions
of North Carolina, including leaf
tobacco, cotton and mica. On the