Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-09-06
AD0CTORSC0 CONGRESS
ALL AMERICA REPRESENTED IN The
GATHERING AT WASHINGTON.
Welcome frem President Cleveland. who
Looks Well and Talked We'll
Proceedings OF the Body.
tBy telegraph to the plspatch.l

WASHINGTON, ID. c., Sept. 5.-The Presi-
dent of the United States gave q graceful
welcome to the Pan-American Medical
Congress. whose four days session COM
menced in the national capital to-day, and
the business of the gathering was entered
upon under the most favorable conditions
Of weather, attendance and public interest.
The parquette of Albaugh's Opera-House,
where the Congress mot. was filed. and
the galleries also had an attentive audience.
includ4I z many ladies.
At 10 <. NJ. when DR.. VIM. Pepper. of
Philadelphia, took tho char, the band OF
the bird Artillery occupied the usual place
OF the stage orchestra and enliyened the
preliminary proceedings with familiar airs.
Many OF the more prominent delegates
took seats on the stage, but the others oc-
cnpied the body of the theatre: There
were probably between eight hundred ana
one Thousands doctors In attendance.
Shortly after 10 A. NJ. President Cleye-
land passed from behind the scenes IN
front Of the stage, escorted by DR.. Pepper.
and was greeted with hearty applause.
He wore as usual black Prince Albert
coat, lightly buttoned over the figure ana
displaying no undue tendency TO corpu-
lence. The President walked with hrrn
step, his face wore q pleasant smile, ana
when he subsequently spoke his voice was
even clearer end more resonant tnan when
he addressed the assembled thousands
from the eastern pOrtlco OF the Capltol IN
the memorial snow-stOrm OF the 4th OF
March last. Mr.. Clevelands personal sp::
pearance was observed with undisguised
interest, many of the foreign delegates IN
the body OF the theatre standing up 10 get
q good look at him. The band, as usual,
play ed Hail to the Chief until the Pres
ident took bis seat.
Then DR.. Pepper called upon Bishop
Paret, of Maryland, to invoke the blessing
of Almighty God upon the conference.
Bishop Paret, wearing his episcopal robes,
came forward, and the audience reverently
rose, Opening his invocation with the
Lords Prayer, he briefly implored the d.
vine blessing upon every ehert for the al
vancement Of sound medical learning and
usefulness, and closed with benedictlon.
DR.. Pepper then said: 1T is in accord
ance With the deep interest taken by the
Government OF the United States in the
organization and success OF this Congress
that our honored President has kindly
come this morning, IN the exercise OF MS
function, to open formally the hrst Pan
American Medical Congress. i have the
great honor of presenting President Cleve-
land"
At once stepping forward, and without
waiting for the applause which greeted
him TO subside, the President, speaking
without manuscript or notes, SAID:
The part assigned me on TINS occasion
admits OF few words. 1t, however, affords
me opportunity to say how pleased l am 10
be In any way related to an assem- blage
such as this. called together in further
ance of the highest and nobiest purposes
and desires. hope | may also be permit
ted to add that protection OF the public
health and the prevention OF conta-
glous diseases are objects properly
brought under consideration at the
capital of nation which appreciates fully
the serious importance OF everything
which aids IN making intercourse between
civilized countries and the commerce be-
tween them safe and easy. Applause.
II is also fitting that those who devote
themselves 20 saving human life and the
ALIENATION OF human suffering should
consider the modes of reaching these ben
ehcent ends at the seat OF the govern
ment whose greatest regard - the welfare
and happiness of the individual clti2sn.
lApplausel. 1t only remains for me to de-
clare this Congress of the Pan-Amerlcan
Medical Society open for the transaction
of the business which has called 1t to-
gether."
President Cleveland then resumed his
seat amidst applause.