The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-06-12
All Nashville Turns Out in Honor Of
the Presidents Visit.
ATTENDED BY A MILITARY ESCORT
The Immense Auditorium ThrOnScd
to Hear tho Presidents speech
Mrs. NIcIzinley's Appearance on tho
Stage Loudly Applnudcu.
Nashville. Tenn, June ii, 1897


The Centennial City extended q warm
reception to President Mckinley and the
members Of his party this morning. The
distinguished guests arrived at 1880
o'clock, but long before that hour
crowds thronged the streets anu rail
road station.
Major j. w. Thomas, president OF the
Tennessee 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 Presi-
dential party was ushered into carriages
from the Church street entrance Of the
hotel, and the line was soon formed. AS
Il guard Of honor to the President Il
mounted detachment of -Confed erat es
| commanded by Captain George Il. Ha-
ger, ranged themselves Immediately in
| front Of his carriage. They wore the Old
time gray. but the buckles Of their belts
bore the insignia III. S."
In the rear Of the line OF carriages
| marched the battalion Of the Sixth In
fantry, under command Of Colonel Mi
her, sent from Fort Thomas, and head
| ed by their fine band. The State troops
and q particularly good-looliing body Of
Cincinnati police, under command of
| their chief, made up the uniformed part
OF the parade. AS the head Of the pro-
| cession turned into the main entrance
or the Exposition grounds, a battery Of
| artillery doomed forth the national sa-
| lutte Of twenty-one guns.
The auditorium, in which the exercises
| Of the DAY were held, will seat COM
fortably $500 people, and fully 20 per
cent. more than that number were add
ed to-day in the crowds that stood in the
foyerS and galleries. 1t was n represent
! tative, intelligent and noteworthy au-
dience-one which inspired the speakers
| to their best cfforts-and was particu-
| larly appreciative Of any passages or
phrases which dwelt upon The glorics Of
our united nation. The heat was in
tense. but it could not CHECK the en-
thusiasm. A wandering band played
Dixie" just before the last gun of the
salute announced the Presidents arr-
val on the grounds, and that air, loved
for its associations by Southerners, and
for Its suggestive melody by Northern
ers, brought out a wave of hearty
cheers
Mrs. Mckinley had concluded not to
| accompany the party in the procession
and disappointment was expressed at her
| non appearance. When she did come il
gave rise to one OF the most delightful
| incidents Of the trip. Governor Bush
! nell was in the midst of his speech, when
n cheer, swelling from the back Of the
auditorium and thence communicating
| to the main floor and the galleries, show
cd that some event of extraordinary in
terest was transpiring. y moment later
! Mrs. Mckinley appeared in the central
| aisle, leaning on the arm of Mr. James
II. Dunn, and accompanied by her aunt
| Mrs. SaXton. and Mrs. John Hill Eallin
the latter OF Nashville. Governor Bush
| nell gracefully yielded the floor and the
| immense audience sprang to its feet
! cheering Justify.
| After musical interlude, Governor Asa
! S. Bushnell, OF Ohio was introduced, his
bow being followed by a flattering re-
| ception In which the ladies Joined with
| hands and handkerchiefs
When the applause that followed Gov
ernor Bushnelfs peroration subsidized
! President Thomas introduced the great
| 11Gure OF the occasion, and Mr.. AIcKin-
| ley'e face lit up as the audience rose en-
| ma sse and shouted out cheer after
cheer. TO the correspondents, who Join
| ed most heartily in the ovation, the
! scene recalled q national convention
when the name Of some national favo-
| rite IS mentioned in a. nominating
| speech. For several minutes the cheer.
| ing went on and the President could oplv
stand and smile and wait.
| AT last quiet came, and in q clear, pen
| e;rating voice and with more gesture
| than is his wont, the Chief Executive
delivered speech that will long hold
place Of honor in the annals Of Ten
nessee.