Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-04-17
ORATORY EN- ROUTE
Presidential Eloquence by the
Southern Wayside.
ANOTHER DAY OF WARM WELCOMES.

ANOTHER DAY OF WARM WELCOMES.
Farewell to Tennessee and Hail to Ala
bama-Some Reflections on watermel-
ons-The Reception at Birmingham an
Enthusiastic Cyclone-A Case in which
the President Regretted That His Fee
Was Not in Town Lots-As to Reci-
procity and Our shipping Interests
OF for Memphis.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. April 17-President
Harrison's train left Atlanta yesterday at
ga. m. Just before leaving the president
made brief speech from the rear plat
form of his car, thanking the people for
their hearty hospitality. Referring to
the war he said: II can have but one
thought now as TO what was best. We
can all say-the Confederate soldier who
carried a gun for what seemed to him TO
be right, as we'll as the soldier of the
north-that the Lord knew better than
any of Us what was best for the country
and the world. There were loud calls
for Postmaster General Wanamaker. He
said: That man is unfortunate who is
called on to speak after the president =
OF all objects in your city l looked
with most interest upon house where a
great light has gone out, and felt again
the common sorrow at the absence OF
Henry Grady-the man whose life and in
fiuence were larger than Atlanta; the
words he spoke, and the principles he
stood for cannot be forgotten. l
wish we had come sooner and could
stay longer" Mr.. Wanamaker's refer
ence to Grady was loudly cheered
A Yankee Town IN the south
The locomotive which drew the train
was resplendent in red, white. and blue
and above the headlight was fixed a por-
trait of the president. All the stations
along the line were decorated, and at ey-
cry point there was a crowd of people who
cheered as the train dashed by. When
stops were made a committee of citizens
came aboard and greeted the president.
At Tallapoosa, Yankee town under a
southern SUM- there was warm vel
come. The president made speech, in
the course of which he said: "The whole
theory OF our institutions is that pursu-
ing those election methods which
we have prescribed under the constitution
every man shall exercise freely the right
the majority, when it has expressed itself.
shall conclude the issue for US all There
is no other foundation. This was the en-
during base upon which the fathers of our
country placed our institutions. Let us
always keep them there. Let US press the
debaTe In our campaigns as TO what the
law should be; but let us keep faith and
submit with that reverence and respect
which is due the law, whence once law
fully enacted" IApplausel
Across the Line Into Alabama.
Shortly after leaving Tallapoosa the
train crossed the line into Alabama, and
at Henry Ellen station Governor Jones,
OF the latter state, joined the party. The
next notable reception was at Admission,
where half the population was at the rail
way station cheering Justify, while the
uproar was increased by the shrieks of
the whistles on the manufactures, and a
strain of more melodious tone was heard
in the ringing of the bells The town was
bright with bunting. and windows were
filed with people, while the very tops of
the houses were occupied by masses of
humanity. A fiat car was drawn up at the
station for speaking stand, and from
this the president addressed the multi
tude, after addresses by ex-Lieutenant
Governor McElroy and w. A. Stevens, a
colored citizen.
The Presidents Speech.
As he had done at nearly every place he
stopped to speak the president first noted
the indications of prosperity and the re-
markable change in the diversity of in
dustries since the war, and the fact that
products which had not been thought
worth selling before the war now made
important additions to the traffic of the
country. Said he: Il am glad to know
that in the mineral region there are near
ly 100, 600 acres devoted to raising water
melons. Laughter No farmer GER
tainly no planter, in the old time would
have consented TO sell watermelons. You
are learning that things which were small
and despised have come to he great ele-
ments in your commerce. Now your rail
roads make special provision for the
transportation Of crop which in the ag-
gregate brings large wealth to your peo-
pie. l mention this as a good illustra-
ton Of the changing condition into which
you are entering"