The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1897-06-16
Tennessee's Day at the Exposition
Welcomes President Mckinley.
A Hearty Greeting To the Chief Mag
tstratc and Mrs. Mckin1ey-Text
OF the Felicitous Address OF
the President.

eX-confederates commanded by Capt.
George +. Hager, ranged themselves
Immediately in front of his carriage.
They wore the old-time gray, but the
buckles of their belts bore the insignia,
"United States"
At the Grounds.
AS the head of the procession turned
into the main entrance of the EXPOSE
ton grounds battery of artillery
doomed forth the national salute of 25
guns. 1t was within the grounds and
led by the centennial chimes which
rang forth from the top of the Admin
istration building that the enthusiasm
reached its climax.
In the Auditorium.
Exactly at noon President Mckinley
walked down the main aisle, on his
arm the stately Mrs. Van Leer Kirk
man, president of the woman's board.
The president was greeted with hearty
cheers, and so were Secretaries Sher-
man, Alger, Gary, Wilson and the other
distinguished guests and their accom-
panying ladies. Mrs. Mckinley, much
to the regret of everyone. did not feel
equal to the heat and stress and re-
manned in her room at the hotel.
Mrs. Mckinley Cheercd.
During the speech of Gov. Bushnell,
who spoke just before President Nc
Kinley, there occurred a pleasing and
remarkable demonstration. Vocifer-
Gus cheers from the rear of the audi
torium announced the approach of a
distinguished parsonage. and the roar
became deafening as Mrs. Mckinley
was recognized. She came slowly
down the center aisle. accompanied by
her aunt, Mrs. SaXton, and Mrs. l.. L.
Akin, of Nashville, and smiled pleasant
ly as the president hurried 10 the plat
form steps and gave her his arm, con-
Quoted her to a seat by his side, and
Immediately in front of Secretary Por-
ter and wife.
The Presidents Speech.
The president spoke in part as fol-
lows:
"Officers OF the Tennessee Centennial
Exposition. Ladies and Gentlemen; Amer
lean nationality. compared with that OF
Europe and the east, Is still very young,
and yet already we are beginning 10 have
age enough for centennial anniversaries
in states other than the original l3
Such occasions are always interesting,
and when celebrated In a practical way
are useful and instructive. Combining
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
20 the whole country and OF special Sig
nihcance TO people 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 it's second century. One
hundred and one years ago this state was
admitted into the union as the sixteenth
member in the great family OF American
commemorative. 1t was a welcome adj
dition to the national household-a COM
munity young. strong and sturdy. with
an honored and heroic ancestry. with fond
anticipations not only OF it's founders but
faith In its success on the part Of far-see-
ing and sagacious statesmen In all parts
OF the country.
Praise for Tcnnesseeans.
"Tennesseeans have ever been volunteer
not drafted. patriots. In 1876 when 2,400
soldiers were called for. $4,000 loyal Ten
hesseeans offered their services; and amid
the trials and terrors of the great civil
war. under conditions of peculiar distress
and embarra ssment, her people divided
on contending sides. But upon whichever
side found. they fought fearlessly TO death
and gallant sacrifice. Now. happily. there
are no contending sides In this glorious
commonwealth or In any part OF our COM
mon country. The men who opposed each
other In dreadful battle a third OF q CEN
tury ago are once more and forever united
together under one flag in a never-to-be-
broken union.
THE glory OF Tennessee is not only alone
in the brilliant names IL has contributed
TO history or the heroic patriotism dis
played by the people In so many crises OF
our national life. but It's material and in
dustrial wealth. social advancement and
population are striking and significant In
their growth and development. Thirty
five thousand settlers in this state in 1870
had increased TO 100000 ir 1860. and to-
day II has a population closely approx
imating 100000. Its manufactures. which
in 1860 were small and unimportant, in
1890 had reached $4,000. 900 in value while
its farm products now aggregate more
than s62,000,000 annually. Its river COM
merce on three great international water
ways. its splendid railways operating near
~ 5000 miles OF roads. its mineral wealth
of incalculab BILE value, form a splendid
augury for the future. i am sure no better
workmen could be found than the peo-
pie OF Tennessee to turn these confident
promises into grand realities.
Exposition an object Lesson.
"Your exposition shows better than any
words OF mine can tell the details of your
wealth OF resources and power OF produce
ton. You have done wisely In exhibiting
these TO your own people and to your sis
ter states. and at no time could the display
he more effective than now. when what
the country needs more than all else is re-
stored confidence In itself. This exposi-
ton demonstrates directly your faith and
purpose, snd signifies In the widest sense
your true and unfailing belief in the ire
pressible pluck of the American people. and
is a promising indication of the return OF
American prosperity.
1.-THE knowledge which this beautiful and
novel exposition gives will surely stimulate
competition, develop your trade. increase
your output. enlarge your fields OF en-
ployment, extend your markets. and so
eventually pay for all II cost, as well as
Justify local sentiment and encourage state
pride.
MEN and women ] see about me from
all parts OF the country. and thousands
more Will assemble here before the ex-
position is closed. Let ourselves and let
them always remember that whatever
differences about politics may have existed.
or still exist. we are all Americans before
we are partisans, and value the welfare
OF all the people above party or section.
Citizens of different states, we yet love all
the states The lesson OF the hour. then,
Is this-that whatever adverse conditions
may temporarily impede the pathway OF
our national progress, nothing can perma-
uentlv defeat N