Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-06-12
PRES. MCKINLEY
Guest Of tennessee Centennial
Exposition at Nashville.
Has Ex-conft dsraies for Escort---
Makes ABB and Eloquent Speech.


I -Osee'-~~1
Aiisalisa aad Apelsase.
Nashville. Tenn, June 11.-President
Mckinley and party arrived at the
Union station In this city: ct z3e o'clock
this morning, and were met by Major
]. w. Thomas. president Of the Teqnes-
see Centennial Exposition. and the n9em-
bers of the Exposition executive 6cm-
mittee. After cordial greetings ;had
been extended to the visitors, th8y were
then taken in carriages to the Maxwell
house.
The Union station and Church street.
leading to the hotel. were crowded with
people and the visitors were heartily
cheered. At the Maxwell house the
party breakfasted and at O'Clock Gov
TAYLOR of Tennessee. and Gov. Bush
nell OF Ohio, accompanied by their stan.
called upon the President. Mrs. Van
Leer Kirkman. president Of the
Woman's Board Of the Exposition. al
Kinley and party.
Leaving the hotel at II o'clock. the
party arrived at the Exposition
grounds three-quarters of an hour
later. The streets along the route
were densely crowded and many houses
were beautifully decorated In honor OF
the occasion. The weather was de-
lightful. Accompanying the President
and party were Governor Taylor and
Governor Bushnell and their stats.
Mayor Mccarthy Of Nashville and
Mayor Caldwell Of Cincinnati. Presi-
dent Thomas and the executive COM
mittee Of the Exposition.
A detachment of ex-Confederate vet
Grams acted as guard of honor. While
the procession was on its way a. salute
Of rs guns was fired. Entering the Ex-
position gates the party proceeded to
the auditorium, under the escort Of the
Centennial Guards. the centennial
chimes being rung for the first time as
they marched up the broad avenue.
The President was heartily cheered
when he reached the Exposition au-
ditorium. Mrs. Mckinley, much to the
regret of everyone. did not feel equal
to the heat and stress, and remained
in her room at the hotel. Mrs Alger,
Mrs. Gary and the Misses Gary were
in the first line of stage guests. ]. w.
Thomas. president of the Exposition
Company. was seated at the Presi-
dents left and Commissioner H. Clay
Evans was to the right of the line.
Governor Taylor OF Tennessee and
Governor BUSHNELL q Ohio with Mrs.
Bushnell entered al the band closed
the opening overture and were heartily
cheercd. The Governors then took the
places by the President, reserved for
them.
Hon. John w. Thomas. president Of
the Exposition, was master of cere-
monies. He was very brief but ex-
tended the heartiest of welcomes to the
President. to the members of the eau
met, to Governor Bushnell and to the
visiting Ohioans and the representa-
tives of the press. Mr.. Thomas then
introduced Governor Taylor of Tennes-
see, as Our Bob and his appearance
was the signal for loud cheers. Gov
ernor Taylor was followed by Hon. w.
L. Mccarthy, mayor of Nashville; Sen
ator w. L. Clark, president of the
Centennial Commission. After a mi-
steal interlude, Governor Asa s. Bush
nell of Ohio. was introduced. When
Governor Bushnell was in the middle
of his speech, vociferous cheers from
the rear of the auditorium hearalded
the approach of Mrs. Mckinley. The
vast audience cheered until 1t seemed
tired out, hut commenced again with
renewed vigor when large bunch Of
fragrant roses was handed to Mrs. Nc
Kinley, who bowed her acknowledge
ment.
When the applause that followed
Governor Bushnell's peroration had
subsidized, President Thomas introduced
the great figure of the occasion and
Mr.. McKinley's face lit up as the au-
dience rose en- masse and shouted out
cheer after sheer. For several minutes
the cheering went on and the President
could only stand and smile and wait
At last quiet came and in a clear, pen
etrating voice and more gesture than
is the wont, the Chief Executive de-
livered the following speech:
Officers of the Tennessee Centennial Ex-
position. Ladies and Gentlemen:
American nationality compared with
that of Europe and the East is still very
young; and yet already we are beginning
to have age enough for centennial ami
versaries in states other than the original
ID. Such occasions are always interest
ing and when celebrated in practical
way are useful and Instructive. Combin-
ing 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 CT general interest
to the whole country and of special sig
nlificance to the people of the South and
West. 1t marks the end of the first CEN
fury OF the state OF Tennessee and the
close of the first year of Its second CEN
fury.
One hundred and one years ago, this
state was admitted into the Union as the
18th member in the great family of Amer
lean commOnwealths. 1t was a welcome
addition to the national Households
community young. strong and sturdy,
with an hOnOred and heroic ancestry.
with fond anticipations not only of It's
founders by faith in its success on the
part OF far-seeing and sagacious states-
men in all parts of the country. I am
justified in saying that these anticipa-
tons have been grandly realized. that the
present of this community of sterling
worth is even brighter than prophet OF
the past had dared to forecast It,
The builders Of the state who had forc-
seen the way through the trackless for
ests OF this splendid domain. brought
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