The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1896-09-03
GROVER GREETS Ii.


In New York last Saturday Presi-
dent Cleveland officially met Ii Hung
Chang, the Viceroy of China, who is on
| visit to this country. The greeting
took place in the Whitney mansion,
and was very ceremonial affair. The
COMMONWEALTH can spare space for
only the following:
Ii Hung Chang and his suite, up
on entering the Whitney residence,
we're ushered into the drawing-room
at the left of the entrance. President
Cleveland, and the members of his
Cabinet, who were present, took posi-
tons in the centre of the ballroom,
the President standing beneath group
of Chinese flags, draped on either side
of a gilded American eagle, above
which were the Stars and Stripes.
When all was ready for the presenta-
ton, Private-Secretary Thurber mott
fed the guests of the TACT. Ii Hung
Chang and his secretaries, and MEM
bers of his suite, then entered the
room. Secretary Olney introduced the
Vlceroy to President Cleveland. The
Ambassador, who wore new and far
more gorgeous yellow jacket than that
worn upon his ARRIVAL recently, bow
ed low, and shook hands with Presi-
dent Cleveland. All present were
standing, and so remained throughout
the ceremony, which was very formal.
The secretary of Ii Hung Chang,
Lo Fung Luh, handed to his Excellen-
cy letter from the Emperor Or China
to the President of this nation. 1t was
very elaborate affair, done In Chinese
on parchment, and wrapped IN yell
low silk covering, upon which was the
Chinese dragon, worked in red, blue,
green, and white. The parchment re-
sembled a large music roll. Ii Hung
Chang presented this letter to Mr..
Cleveland. He then made an address
on his own account, which was inter-
preted by Fung Luh.
LIS SPEECH.
The translation of Ii Hung Changes
remarks is as follows:
"Your Excellency: 1t affords me
great pleasuse to have the honor to be
presented to your Excellency. The
reputation of your highly esteemed
virtues is widely known throughout
the world, and in you the citizens of
the United States of America have in
variably placed their confidence. Con-
sequently, both the interior admins
tration and the exterior relations of
this great republic are In a state OF
prosperity.
'SIt will always be the desire of my
august master, the Emperor of China,
to maintain the most cordial relations
with America, whose friendly assist
ance, rendered to the Government of
China after the China-Japanese war,
and whose protection for the safety of
the Chinese immigrants in America
are to he highly appreciated.
~ am specially appointed by my au-
gust master, the Emperor of China, to
present to your Excellency the letter
of credence, and to convey to your Ex-
celIency the assurance of his most
friendly feelings towards the United
States of America, in the hope that
your Excellency will reciprocate his
sentiments and cooperate with him to
promote friendly intercourse between
our two countries for the cause of hui
man kind.
II trust that your Excellency's gov
eminent will continue to afford pro-
lection and kind treatment to the
Chinese immigrants in America, and
to render friendly assistance to the
Chinese Government when required.
"May the people of our two great
nations enjoy the benefits of perpetual
peace"
THE PRESIDENTS REPLY.
Mr.. Cleveland replied as follows:
"Your Excellency 1t gives me great
pleasure to receive from your hand the
personal letter from your august SOW
ereign, and to greet you as his person
al representative.
:'S1nce our two countries became
better acquainted, many incidents have
occurred calculated to increase our
friendly relations, and not the least
gratifying of these are the kindly ex-
pressions contained in the letter of
vOur EmnerOr and the visit tn our