The morning call., 1893-07-20
WELCOME TO THE
PRESIDENT,
Continued From First Page.

Stevensonsat the Pavilion, but owing to
the vast size of the hail aihdlthe knowledge
that huge crowd would be in attendance
lie decided at the last moment to have the
ceremony take place at the hotel. Accord
ingly, soon after his arrival at the hotel
he took the opportunity to hand the Vice
President the silver plate, which had been
made by local jeweler, and in presen ting
it he said:
"The people of this city and county by
their representatives. the Board of Super
visors, have delegated to me the pleasant
duty to presentro you this tablet of silver.
upon which is inscribed the freedom of the
city, which has been rendered to you.
While of little intrinsic value. it is the
emblem and memento Of our sincere wei
come to you and of the desire of our peo-
pie to do everything possible to add to your
comfort and enjoyment.
AS the distinguished visitor listened to
the kind words of welcome, he was visibly
affected. and in replying, he stated that he
realized that the demonstration which had
greeted him was not personal tribute,
but intended merely as an indication of
respect in which his Office was held by the
people.
"And this reception" he continued, ''is
to me a reminder Of the fact that we are,
above everything else. American citizens,
and as such far above and bayond the
mere claims of partisanshp. The well
come which you have extended me is a
most f1atteripg one, and this plate which
you have presented in the name of the
great city which you shonld be proud to
represent will be cherished by me as a
memento of one Of the pr0udest m oments
of my life.
ITO my children when am gone it will
be a reminder of this trip, which | have so
greatly enjoyed, and 10 those who come
after them it will. teach lessons that his
tory cannot convey. Gentlemen. thank
you in all earnestness for the kindness you
have shown me and trust that the day
may come when can show the apprec cia-
ton it deserves in my home in Chicago"
While the presentation was going on in
side a great crowd was gathering in the
street and detail of police. under COM
mand of Sergeant Whitman, was found
necessary to keep a passageway clear in
the corridor of the hotel.
1t was noisy crowd withal, but good
natured one, and while they elbowed and
jostled each other about in vigorous way
they kept their temper. and no one showed
the slightest disposition to anger.
AS the time for the procession to form
drew near. however. they grew restive,
and with each appearance of the elevator
as 1t descended cry of expectancy would
arise. When it was seen that the occu-
pants were not Of the ce-Presidental
party there would be a storm of Kisses and
then good, hearty laugh.
II was o'clock when the Second Bri-
gade, under command of General John II.
Dickinson, arrived at the hotel and formed
on Powell and Market streets. with the
Naval Battalion on the left. Notice was
sent to the rooms above and in a few
moments the tall form of the Vice-Presi-
dent was seen descending the stairs
Mayor Elert walked by his side and as
the crowd caught the first glimpse of them
hearty cheer went I'D that was taken up
and passed dawn the street by those ia
waiting al the Poweli-street entrance TO the
hotel, and when the party were seated tie
procession passed UP Market street. All
along the line the sidewalks wera black
with people, and whenever the Vice. Presi-
dent was recognized he was met with an
ovation. He was kept oowlng a response
all the way to the Pavilion, where another
huge crowd was in waiting to receive
him.