The Russellville Democrat., 1891-05-28

soi fHERN isan comment may be, An'I'lTv relative to the Presi
 dents journey tliroa gh the states from the Potomac te the Rio Grande-states known dis:;ac: lively as SouTHERS-the event in itself will be productive of memo -rable and beneficial results. Its events in their general outline, and in their detailed occurrences vlll leave an impress upon the times which will be influential for good to all sections of our country, but es. pEclALLr for the South. The char acteristic attributes of southern so- cial life and manners has been brought out in a sharply emphasized degree, so clearly silhouetted on the foreground of the occasion, that the attention of all observers must be attracted thereto. And to be attract ed, must necessarily in this instance, compel admiration and consideration Mutual respect and reciprocal friend ships are the outgrowth of the CIVIL itles that are extended and returned on such an occasion.
 Murat Halstead ln the Review of  Current Events, in the June number of Cosmopolitan, makes this obsery- ation on the event:
 It is the history, tradition and habits of the southern peorie to treat guests handsomely, and they improved the distinguished opportunity the fresl- dent's tour afforded, for the display of those qualities in their character that are most pleasing. When the purpose of the President to spend part Of his summer in travel was announced ana his route declared, there were misgiy- ings as to the southern part Of bis pro, gramme. There was not an electoral vote for him In the south. He had supported with urgency the passage or the force bill in the south. Nearly the whole southern press had treated him and his administration with intense and unrelenting hostility. He had been denounced as public man ana ridiculed as an individual. The fact that he was of illustrious virginia stock was only noticed to declare ms degeneracy. It was kDown that ne had been a republican from boyhood, never faltering in the boldest advocacy of the doctrines of the party.
 Ts nt.o sectional president beaten by the popu- lar vote. chosen under the forms of the constitution by the use of the money power: that his appointments had shown an unfriendly spirit toward the south. and inflicted indignities that were unpardonable upon the southern people Reflections were cast upon his Journey, and it was stated that he was iunketing in luxurious style st the expense of the people trying to set himself up for a second term
 Fortunately the southern people were equal to the occasion. They were GILL; zens of the United States and the pres ident of the United States was going to see them, and that was enough. They might very easily have made partisan and sectional and personal difficulties conspicu ous, but they did not. They gave the president warm reception and impressed him and the whole country with riper, better judgment of themselves, and have earned credit with millions for patriotic spirit and national sentiment. They have done the nation good at home and abroad. The presidents tour through the south land. the splendor of his entertainment, the friendly crowds at the stations, the festivities of the cities, the graciousness of the thronging multitudes, and the wonderful series of addresses with which the president responded to his welcome, calling attention to the mar. vels of their resources, the growth anc .diyersities of their industries, tneii possessions of fertile lands, one staple cotton, selling for eight billions Of dol lars since the war, the exhaustiess min eraI wealth, the schools and the psace full homes sal this is of incaleulabl' value to the southern people, as cer tainly as they had no thought whsi conquering their prejudiees for the oc easion, of compensation for their gen erous amiability.