The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1897-09-23


Nations Chiet-President Addresses aO,-
600 People at the Fair Grounds-Hon. w.
y. Plunkett the Presidents Host.
North Adams, Mass, Sept. 22.-The
proverbial -heartedness Of the
welcome given by old New England
to stranger within ner gates was once
again shown to-day in the outburst of
enthusiasm in picturesque Berkshire
county, when President Mckinley and
a distinguished party of his cabinet Of
ticers came to Massachusetts on visit.
1t was one of the most unique events
in western Massachusetts-an informal
Whole-souled reception of the country's
honored chief executive by plain people
of that section of the state. The pres
ident. who is no stranger to the hills
of Berkshire and their residents, came
from Washington on invitation of Hon.
w. B. Plunkett of Adams, president of
the Hoosaic Agricultural society, and
to attend the fair.
The presidential party, which left the
y
made up of President Mckinley, Mrs.
Mckinley, Miss Mabel Mckinley, Sec
reary Alger, Mrs. Alger, Attorney Cen
eral McKenna, Miss McKenna and Ex-
ecutive Clerk Cortelieu.
The train arrived here over the Fitch
burg road at 9:14 a. m. 1t was met at
Williamstown by Lieutenant Governor
Crane, who welcomed the visitors to
the state, and Hon. w b. Plunkett, the
host of President Mckinley. About five
hundred people met the train at the de-
pot here, and they grew wildly enthu-
siastic when the president appeared on
the rear platform. The train was i'm
mediately switched to the Adams track
of the Boston and Albany road and run
to Adams A salute of twenty-five
guns fired by detachment of Compa-
NJ M, greeted the president on his ar
rival at Adams.
Secretary John d. Long and Mrs.
Long had Joined the party here, and all
reached the Plunkett residence at noon.
After a rest the party entered the spe-
cial train at 2:2O o'clock and soon were
in the city again.
AS the president stepped from the
train three rousing cheers were given,
one guns was fired.
Acting Mayor S. Proctor Thayer met
President Mckinley on the platform
and extended the welcome of the city
The party then entered carriages and
were driven through the principal
streets. Companies L. M and I of the
Second regiment, M. V. M, did escort
duty.
The fair grounds were reached at $40
o'clock, and fully twenty thousand peo-
pie welcomed the party. The distin-
guished visitors We're escorted to seats
on the platform, and Hon. W. B. Plum
kett said a few words of the great hon
or to the city and then introduced Lieu
tenant Governor W. Murray Crane. The
acting governor, after brief address,
presented the chief executive The
president was unable to make himself
heard owing to the deafening applause
from the assembled thousands Finally
the big crowd became quiet and ne be-
gan his short address His remarks
We're applauded at frequent intervals
He said.
"Mr. President, Ladies and Gentle
men, My Fellow Citizens-I am more
than gratified at the unexpected Incl
dent of my visit to the Berkshire Hills,
because 1t gives me the pleasure and
the opportunity of meeting the people
of Massachusetts and expressing in
their presence my regard for them and
their noble state. (Applause.)
"A great state is valued inherit
ance, all the more when sustaining it's
illustrious past. You have that in as
large measure as any commonwealth
No state has a prouder history; no
state commands greater respect or rev.
erence or affection, and none possesses
more priceless memories. Loving lib
erty and enjoying its blessing your
selves you have never been unmindful
of others, and have greatly aided in Sc
curing it for those less fortunate than
yourselves. (Applause.)
You have been a mighty force in the
upbuilding of the nation from it's be-
ginning. and your influence has been
ever unfailing for liberty and Justice
and peace among men. The New Eng
land home IS no longer confined to New
England. 1t has been established in
every part of the country, and wher-
ever established there goes out from it
good thoughts and deeds good men
and women, supporting our glorious
political fabric and advancing justice
among all men.
Wherever you are you contribute to
all good things in government and to
all things that exact and make good
citizenship. God bless the American
home and the American people. Upon
these rest the safety and permanence
and virtue of the republic which we love
so well. And our prayer is that our
Heavenly Father may ever have our
nation in His sacred keeping. 1 thank
you and bid you goodbye
Immediately after the president ceas-
ed Mr. Crane introduced Hon. Russell
A. Alger, secretary of war, who said in
part:
Mr.. President. gentlemen and fell
low citizens: When We arrived at
Adams the first thing that our host
the president of this association, said
to us was 4 want it distinctly under
stood that North Adams is but a sub
urb of Adams (Applause.) Also, we
have been accustomed to believe ont
side Of the state of Massachusetts,
what Brother Plunkett has said of it..
lam going 10 his home tonight to haul
him over the Goals. But, fellow cit zens.