Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-04-23
GREAT TEXAS.
The Presidents Speech at San
Antonio.
TIE RECEPTION MARRIED BY RAIN.
The Vast Extent and Resources of the State
Alluded TO-Diversified Industries
Receive COmmendatIOn-What
Texas Might Do.

SAN ANTONIO, Tex, April 21.-The
presidential party arrived here prompt
ly on time For the first time since
their departure from Washington they
were welcomed in a heavy rainstorm.
The reception was most enthusiastic
Under the circumstances; the effect OF
the liberal street decorations was how
ever spoiled by the steady dOwnpour
which necessitated the abandonment OF
all outdoor ceremonies. The reception
committee included Gen. Stanley, Rep
Tesentative Crane, Mayor Callahan, citi-
Gems and a number of ladies. The presl-
dent was received with a military salute
of twenty-one guns and on leaving the
train was escorted through line COM
posed OF Grand Army men and confeder-
ate veterans. The party was then taken
in carriages to the Grand opera house
which was beautifully decorated for
the occasion. Addresses of welcome
were made by Gov. Hogg and Mayor
Callahan and responded to by the presi-
dent, Secretary Rusk and Postmaster
General Wanamaker. The president
then held public reception, which was
largely attended. A short visit was
afterwards made to the military post at
Fort Sam Houston where the party
were entertained by Gen. Stanley and
staff. The presidential party left here
at 12 o'clock for El Paso amid the
cheers of an enthusiastic crowd. A
feature of the reception here was the
general participation of the Mexican
colony.
The following is the presidents ad-
dress:
Mr. Mayor and Fellow Citizens: I very
much regret that frequent speaking in the
open air during the past week and the very
heavy atmosphere which we have this morn
ing has somewhat impaired my voice. am
sure you will crown your hospitality and
kindness by allowing me to speak to you
very briefly ] sympathize with you in
the distress in which you feel that
the day is so unprOpitiOus for any
street demonstration, but 1 have been
told by one wise in such matters that this
rain Is worth S5,0OO,OO) to western
Texas. That being the case it greatly mod.
crates our regret There has come to be
popular habit of attrlbuting to the president
whatever weather may happen on any
demonstration in which he takes part. ]
supposes 1 may claim credit this morning
for this benefcent rain. Laughter and ap-
plause.1 generously assure you that If it is
worth as much money as my friend has esti-
mated 1 shall not take more than half that
sum. Laughter.
In visiting for a little while this historic
CITY / hal anticipated great pleasure in
looking upon the remains OF an earlier oc-
cupancy of this territory in which you now
dwell Our glance this morning must be
brief and imperfect, but the history has been
written and the traditions of those martyr
doms which occurred here for liberty are
fresh in your minds and are stln an inspir-
ing story to be repeated to your children. !
remember in my early boyhoOd to have
heard In our family thrilling descriptions OF
an uncle whose name I bear, in some of
these campaigns for freedom in Texas,
in which he took a part, so that the
story 10 me goes back to those dim
early recollections OF childhood. l am glad
Co stand where those recollectiOns are re-
viyed and freshcned for they were events Of
momentOus importance to this country, to
this state, and to the whole union. IreiOice
that YOU have so great commonwealth.
The stipuatiOns under which Texas came
into the Union of the states and which pro-
vided that the great territory might be sub
divided. into five states seems not to attract
much attention in Texas now. Indeed, so
far as / can judge, no man would be able
20 successfully appeal to the suffrages
of any hamlet OF Texas upon the
issue that the state shoull be divided at all.
ICheers The great Industrial capabilities
which YOU have, the beneficent climate
which spreads over much of your vast terri
tory, the great variety of productions which
your soil and climate render possible, give
a promise for the future of a prominence
among the great states of the Union that
seems to me can scarcely fail to bring Texas
20 the front among our great sisterhoOd.
ICheersl You are now only beginning to
bring to theplow this vast stretch of fertile
land: you are only now beginning to d.
Verslfy those interests to emancipate your
selves by producing at home, in your own
fields, all of those products which are
necessary to comfortable existence
hone YOU soon will add, indeed
you are now largely adding, to this diversity
of agricultural pursuits a diversity of me-
chnnIcal pursuits. The advantages which
YOU have to transmute the great product of
the field into the manufactured product are
very great There can certainly be no rea-
son why very large part of the 100000
bales of cotton which you produce should
not be spun in Texas [Cheers.l 1 hope
your people Will more and more turn their
thoughts to this matter, for just in proper
tion as a community or state suitably divides
its energies among various industries so
does It retain the wealth il produces and in
crease its population. Applause