The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-06-12
PRESIDENT AT. MAS HvILLE.
Visits Tennessee Exposition and Makes An
Address.

Nashville, Tenn, June 11.-President
McKinleys party arrived at the Union
station, this city, at 7.30 o'clock this
morning, and were met by Major ]. W.
Thomas, president of the Tennessee Cen
tennial Exposition, and the members of
the exposition executive committee. At
ter cordial greetings had been extended to
the visitors, they were taken in carriages
to the Maxwell house.
. Leaving the hotel at II o'clock the party
arrived at the exposition grounds three.
quarters of an hour later.
A detachment of eX-Confederate vete-S
rams acted as a guard of honor.
While the procession was on its way a
salute of 25 guns was fired. Entering the
exposition gates the party proceeded to
the auditorium, under the escort of the
Centennial Guards, the Centennial chimes
being rung for the first time.
The President was heartily cheered when
he reached the auditorium. Mrs. McKin-
ley, much to the regret of every one, did
not feel equal to the heat and stress and
remained in her room at the hotel. Mrs.
A1ger, Mrs. Gary and the Misses Gary
were in the first line of the guests. J.
W. Thomas, president of the Exposition
company was seated at the Presidents S
lclU obuu SOllllllSolOIlCI L. ". ENduS was
to the right of the line. Cows Taylor of
Tennessee and Bushnell of Ohio, with
Mrs. Bushnell. entered as the band closed
the opening overture and were heartily
cheered. The governors then took their
places by the President, reserved for
them.
Hon John W. Thomas, president of the
Exposition, was master of ceremonies.
He was very brief but extended the
heartiest of welcomes to the President, to
the members of the Cabinet to Gov
Bushnell and to the visiting Ohioans and
the representatives of the press.
Mr.. Thomas then introduced Governor
Taylor of Tennessee as "Our Bob'' and
his appearance was the signal for loud
cheers.
Governor Taylor was followed by Hon.
W. L. Mccarthy, mayor of Nashville,
Senator W. L. Clark, president of the
Centennial commission.
After the musical interlude, Gov.Asa S.
Bushnell of Ohio, was introduced. When
speech vociferous cheers from the rear of
the auditorium heralded the approach of
Mrs. Mckinley.
The vast audience cheered until it
seemed tired out, but commenced again
with renewed vigor when large bunch
of fragrant roses was handed to Mrs Nc
Kinley, who bowed her acknowledge
luOutS. NuOll uuC applause uHhU lOlIOWcu
Governor Bushnell's S peroration had sub
sided, President Thomas introduced the
great figure of the occasion and Mr.. Nc
KinlGy's face lit up as the audience rose
en- masse and shouted out cheer after
cheer. For several minutes the cheering
went on and the President could only
stand and smile and wait.
At last quiet came and in clear,
penetrating voice and more gesture is the
won't, the chief executive delivered an ad-
dress.
Applause was frequent during the
speech and heartily at times, but it
reached climax when the references to
preservation of the Union were made.
At the conclusion of Mr., McKinleys S
speech hickory cane, unadorned, but
sturdy made from wood grown on the
hermitage, was presented to the President
by j. M. Dickinson, ON behalf of the
ladies hermitage association.
The ceremonies in the club house being
concluded the President and party went
to luncheon at the West Side club on the
grounds in front of the Administration
building.
After the conclusion of the ceremonies
at the auditorium the President and some
of his party visited the Parthenon, which
is the art gallery and the children S
building and then repaired to the west
side club house. In the ladies parlor
Mrs. Mckinley held an informal recep-
ton. Later in the afternoon, assisted by
the President, she gave a reception to
women in the women's building Dur
ing the luncheon the residents in F'Vanity
Fair" which is similar in many respects
to the mid way plaisance at Chicago,
formed unique procession and marched
past the club house.
When the luncheon drew to close there
was a demand for speeches from one or
another of the men of national reputation
present and several responded.
At O'Clock a line display of fireworks
over the lake was viewed by Mr.. and Mrs.