The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-06-12
NOTABLE DAY AT NASHVILLE.
PRESIDENT M'KINLEY GIVEN A
GREAT OVATION.

Acts as "A Guard of Honor to the
President-SIiGhty Roar of Cheers
as the President Escorts Mrs.
Kirkman Into the Auditorium
Nashville, Tenn, June 1.-THE Centen-
NAL City extended a warm welcome to
President Mckinley and the members Of
his party this morning. The distinguish
ed guests arrived at 1880 o'clock, but long
before that hour crowds thronged the
streets and railroad station.
Maj. ]. w. Thomas, president of the
centennial exposition, and members of
the executive committee, were at the depot
when the special train arrived.
After a cordial greeting the guests of
the city were driven to the Maxwell house
and there provided with accommodations
and breakfast. AS soon as breakfast was
over the presidential party was ushered
into carriages from the Church street en-
trance of the hotel and the line was soon
formed, the press and many gorgeously
attired members of Gov Bushnen's staff
occupying three huge tally-ho coaches. In
the first carriage were President McKin>
ley, Mrs. Van Leer Kirkman, president of
the woman's board and Maj. J. W. Thorn
as, president of the centennial company
In other carriages were the secretaries
and visiting distinguished guests and the
ladies of the party.
As guard of honor to the President, a
mounted detachment of ex-confederates
commanded by Capt George F. Hager,
ranged themselves Immediately in front
of his carriage. They wore the old time
gray, but the buckles of their belts bore
the insignia "U. s. In the rear of the
line of carriages marched the battalion of
the Sixth Infantry, under command of
Col Minor, sent from Fort Thomas, and
headed by their fine band.
The state troops and particularly good
looking body of Cincinnati police, under
command of their chief, made up the uni
formed part of the parade. AS the head
of the procession turned into the main en-
trance Of the exposition grounds, a bat
terry of artillery doomed forth the national
salute of twenty-one guns.
The auditorium in which the exercises of
the day were held will seat comfortably
75OO and fully 20 per cent. more than that
number was added to-day in the crowds
that stood in the foyers and galleries.
1t was a representative, intelligent and
noteworthy audience-one which inspired
the speakers to their best efforts and
was particularly appreciative of any pas
sages or phases which dealt upon the
glories of our united nation.
The heat was intense, but it could not
check the enthusiasm. a wandering band
played Dixie just before the last gun
of the salute announced the Presidents
arrival on the grounds, and that air,
loved for its associations by southerners
and for its suggestive melody by north
erners, brought out a wave Of hearty
cheers. They were but murmurs, how
ever, compared to the mighty roar burst
ing forth as President Mckinley, with
Mrs. Kirkman, beautifully gowned in sum-
mcry materials, walked down the aisle
and onto the platform.
Gov. Bushnell and staff were also gen.
erously applauded, while to Gov. Taylor
our Bob as they love to call him, a
generous outburst was awarded
Commissioner of Pensions H. c. Evans
native Tennesseean, was also a recipient
of hearty cheers. Mrs. Mckinley had con-
cluded not to accompany the party in the
procession and disappointment was 'ex-
pressed a her non-appearance. When she
did come 1t gave rise to one of the most
delightful incidents of the trip.
Gov. Bushnell was in the midst of his
speech, when a cheer, swelling from the
back of the auditorium, and thence COM
municating TO the main floor and gale
ries, showed that some event of eXtraor-
dinary interest was transpiring. A mo-
ment later Mrs. Mckinley appeared in
the central aisle, leaning on the arm of
Mr.. James r. Dunn, and accompanied by
her aunt, Mrs Saxton, and Mrs. John Hill
Eakin, the latter of Nashville. Gov. Bush
nell gracefully yielded the floor and the
immense audience sprang to its feet cheer
ing Justify. The cheers were redoubled
when this gentle lady of the white house
- ,,fa Bt1r
ried to meet and greet her and conducted
her to a scat at his side. A huge bunch
of roses was handed Mrs Mckinley from
the auditorium floor and as she bowed and
smiled her thanks the crowd again broke
into cheers.
A variation upon our "Old Kentucky
Home" was a fitting prelude to the
speeches, which were opened by Hon. j.
W. Thomas, president of the exposition,
who was master of ceremonies on the au-
ditorium stage President Thomas was
very brief, but extended the heartiest of
welcomes to the President. to the MEM
bcrs Of the cabinet, to Gov. Bushnell and
visiting Ohioians, and to the representa-
tives of the press.
Mr.. Thomas then introduced Gov. Tay-
lor of Tennessee as "Our Bob His APP
pearance was the signal for loud cheers
and his witty illusions provoked much
laughter Gov Taylor was followed by
VILE, who added TO the welcomes given,
and he In turn by Senator w. T. Clarke,
president Of the Centennial commission.
After a musical interudo Gov. Bushnell
of Ohio was introduced. his appearance
being followed by a hattoring reception,
in which the ladies' Joined with hands and
handkcrchicfs
When the applause that followed Gov
Bushnelrs peroration subsided. President
Thomas introduced the great figure Of the
occasion, and Mr.. McKinley's face lit up
as the audience arose en- masse.
For several minutes the cheering went
on. and the President could only stand
and smile ana walt. AT last quiet came
and In clear penetrating voice, and
with more gesture than Is his won't, the
chief executive delivered his speech.
When President Mckinley declared Ten
nessee's sons were loyal 20 the core and
that this union. a third Of a century ago
30 nearly disrupted. was now bound to
stand for all time. the applause was some-
thing long 10 be remembered. After the
ceremonies Ia the auditorium. the Presl-
dent ana some OF his party visited the
saaNsN "a. 4. a.. IL