The San Francisco call., 1897-06-12
BLUE AND GRAY JOIN IN
THE RECEPTION.
Ex-Confederates in Uniform
Escort the Distinguished
Visitor.
PATRIOTISM AT THE SOUTHERN
CENTENNIAL.
In an Address the Chief Executive
Tells of the Great Prosperity
of the State.

NASHVILLE, Tenn, June 11.-Presi-
dent Mckinley and party reached this
city this morning and viii be the guests
OF the Tennessee Centennial Exposition
until tomorrow night. More than half
the population turned out to-day to honor
the guests and thousands came from
var Gus parts of the State to add to the
volume of welcome. The de monstration
was such as Nashville has rarely given to
any man In public or private station, and
included in its significance the patriotic
pride in the great exposition which the
President was invited 10 inspect.
At an early hour the streets near the
Union Station were crowded When the
Presidential train entered the station
hearty cheers we've given. The chairman
o. the committee OF arrangements boarded
the Presidential car. He introduced
President Thomas, Director-General Lewis
and mem 5ers of the Centennial executive
committee. Fifty Nashville patrolmen
headed the line of march to the hotel
I he Presidents carriage had as an imme-
dIate escort q detachment of Confederate
caya.ry, all dressed in the regulation
uniform OF the Confederate army, with
drawn 50 bers.
At $3.50 o'clock Governor Taylor and
staff called on Governor Bushnell Of Ohio
and staff at the Duncan Hotel and shortly
after the two Governors and staffs called
on the President AT IL O'Clock a de-
tachment Of ex-Confederates in full uni
form drew up in front of the hotel. In a
few minutes the march TO the exposition
began. There was no police at the head
and the President himself was made Yir-
tual.y tne head of the procession.
An immense crowd awaited the party
at the exposition. The residents jour
EFy the grounds was in the nature of a
triumphal march. Centennial chims
were rung as the party entered the
grounds. The President of the exposition
ana Governor Taylor made welcoming ad-
dresses. Mayor Mccarthy followed with
an address in behalf of the city. Senator
Clark of Ohio and Governor Bushnell then
responded. President Mckinley made the
q sing speec1. He said:
Officers OF the Tennessee Centennial Exposi-
ton, Ladies and Gentlemen: American Ma
tionaLty, compared with that of Europe and
the East, is still young, and yet already we
are beginning TO have age enough 10 have
centennial anniversaries in States other than
the original thirteen. Such occasions are al
ways Interesting, aud when celebrated in
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
des tiny
This celebration is of general interest TO the
people OF the South and West. 1t marks the
end OF the first century of the State of Tennes-
see and the close OF the first year of its second
Century. One hundred and one years ago this
State was admitted into the Union as the six
teenth member OF the grea. family of Amer1-
can cOmmonweelthS. 1t was welcome addi-
tion 10 The National households community
young, strong and sturdy, with an honored
and heroic ancestry, with fond antcipations
not only OF its founders, but faith in its sue
cess on the part of far-seeing and sagacious
statesmen i'll all parts Of the country. l am
justified in saying that these anticipa lions
have been grandly realized; that the present
of this community OF sterling worth is even
br gther than the prophets OF the past had
dared 10 forecast il.
The builders OF the State, who had forced
their way through the trackless forests of this
spendd domain brought with them the
same high ideals and fearless devotion to
home and country, founded on resistance TO
oppression, which have ma de ilustrious the
Ang o-Americen name. Whether it was the
territory Of Virginia or that OF North Carolina
matIered little TO them. They came willing
and eager to fight for independence and lib
erty, and in the war of the Revolution were
ever loyal to the standard OF Washington.
When their representatives served in the
Colonial Assembly of North Carolina they
chose-for the first time in our country.
so far as l knoW-the great of
Washington as the name of the district
in which they lived, and at the close OF the
Revolution sought 10 organize their country
into State, TO be known as the State of
Fran klin in grateful homage OF another of its
dictfnpuisbpd nafriofS Gna1n bad
sought to possess their territory by right of
discovery as part of Florida. france claimed
il bv right of ce,sion as part OF Louisiana
aud England hers by conquest. But
nei her contention could for an instant be
recognized. Moved by the highest instinc cts
OF sell-government and under the loftiest
motives of patriotism, under gallant old John
Sewer at Kings Mountain, your forefathers
hrayeIy vindicated their honor and gloriousIy
won the II independence.
thus came the new State, second only then
of The now mighty West ana Southwest. And
IL has made wonderful history for itse +.
Tennessee has sometimes been called the
Mother of Southwestern Statesmen" 1t fur
ni,he6 US the immortal Jackson, whose record
in war and who's administration in peace as
the head of the great Republic shines on with
the advancing years. The century has only
added TO the luster OF his name increased the
obliga tions Of his countrymen and exalted
b in in tnelr aHeCIlOn. 1oIk ana Johnson
also were products of this great State and
many more heroes of distinguished deeds
whose names will come unbidden to your
memories while speak.
TennnesseeNns have been volunteers, not
drafted patriots In 1916, when 2400 soldiers
we're called for, 10000 loyal Tennesseeans
offered their services, and amid the trials and
terrors OF the great Civil War, under condi-
tions of peculiar distress and embarrsss-
ment her people divided on coutendinc
sides. But upon whichever side found, they
fought fearlessly to death and gallant sacri-
fee Now, happily, there are eontending
sides in this glorious commonwealth or in
any part of our common country. The men