Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1897-06-17

The escort also included Gov. Taylor
and staff, United States regulars and
Tennessee militia. At IL o'clock, in
the Auditorium, addresses of welcome
were delivered by President Thomas,
Mayor Mccarthy and Gov. Taylor, and
responses were \ 'ade by Senator Clark,
of the Ohio commission, Gov. Bushnell
and President Mckinley. The president
in his address expressed his appreciation
of the signal honor accorded his native
state, and congratulated the governor
of Tennessee, the mayor of Nashville
and the president and directors of the
exposition upon the success of an en-
terprise which could not fail to result
in improved business relations and a
closer commercial union between the
north and the south. Luncheon at the
club house followed the delivery of the
addresses.
The auditorium in which the exer-
cises of the day were held will seat com
fortably 4, 500 people and fully 20 per
cent. more than that number were
added to-day in the crowds that filed
the foyers and the unseated part of the
Galleries. It was representative, in
tel1igent and noteworthy audience
one which inspired the speakers to
their best efforts-and was particularly
Appeeiative of any paragraph or
phrase which dwelt upon the glories
of our nation. That it was
hot no one can truthfully deny, and all
would gladly have deprived themselves
or some of the brilliancy of the cloud
less sky for the cooling shade even of
threatening clouds. But heat could not
check the joyousness and enthusiasm.
A wandering band played Dixie" just
before the last gun of the salute an
nounced the presidents arrival on the
grounds, and that air, loved for its
associations by southerners and for its
suggestive melodies by northerners,
brought out a wave of applause. They
were but murmurs, however. compared
to the mighty roar bursting forth
when William Mckinley, president of
the United States, with Mrs. Kirkman,
beautifully gowned in summary mate
rails, walked down the aisle and on to
the platform.
There was great interest shown in
President McKin1ey's speech, and he
was greeted with much applause.
The President said:
OFFICERS OF THE TENNESSEE CENTENNIAL
EXPOSITION, LADIES AND GENTLERfEN-AmeP-
lean nationality, compared with that of Eu-
rope and the east, is still very young and yet
already we are beginning to have age enough
for centennial anniversaries in states other
than the original thirteen. Such occasions are
always interesting, and when celebrated in a
practical way are useful and instructive. Com
bining retrospect and review, they recall what
has been done by state and nation and point
out what yet remains for both to accomplish in
order to fulfill their highest destiny.
This celebration is of general interest to the
whole county. and of special significance to peo-
pie OF the south and west It marks the end of
the first century of the state OF Tennessee and
the close Of the first year OF its second century
admitted into the Union as the sixteenth num-
Der in the great family Of American common
wealthS It was welcome addition to the ma
tional household community young, strong
and sturdy, with an honored and he
roic ancestry with fond anticipations
not only of its founders, but faith in
it's success the part of far-seeing and
sagacious statesmen In all parts Of the country.
I am justified in saying that these anticipations
have been grandly realized. that the present Of
this community OF sterling worth Is even
brighter than prophets OF the past had dared to
forecast it.
The builders of the state, who had forced
their way through the trackIess forests of this
splendid domain. brought with them the same
high ideals and fearless devotion to home
and country. founded on resistance to
oppression. which have made iIlustrious
the Anglo-American name. Whether IL was
the territory OF Virginia or that of North Caro-
lima. mattered little TO them. They were eager
to dght for Independence ami liberty, and in the |
war OF the revolution were ever loyal 70 the |
standard Of Washington. When their repre- |
sentAttves served in the colonial . s~-~s'lv of !