The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-12-23


to the time when the Stars and Stripes
would fioat over the whole continent
received more applause than any oth>
er sentiment expressed on the occasion
The presidential party was then
taken in charge by the committee and
driven about the city until IL was time
to take their departure for Augusta.
President Mckinley expressed him.
self as greatly pleased with his re-
ception at Macon. particularly on the
part Of the confederate veterans.
AT AUGUSTA.
Augusta, Ga, December 19.-The
demonstration in Augusta this even
ing in honor of President Mckinley
was a fitting climax to one Of the most
remarkable presidential tours ever un-
dertaken. Were the president t
travel through the states that gave
him his greatest majorities the ova-
tions that would greet him could not
be more sincere and heartfelt and if
they would surpass the Georgia arti-
Gle in size and volume the fact would
be due alone to the greater density of
population of the northern states.
At Wheeler's station, four miles from
Augusta, the party left the train and
entered carriages that were waiting
them. On either side of the road lead
ing to Camp Mackenzie, were drawn
up the six troops Of the Third cavalry
that saw service with General Shafter
in Cuba. AS the last carriage passed
the cavalry, under command Of Major
Swigert, fell in line as escort to the
president. With each carriage rode a
special courier selected from the citi-
zens' committee. The drive was up a
long incline to a level plateau of wide
on which is located the camp
of the First division Of the Second
army corps under command of Major
General Young. The public road passes
through the camp and on either side
the various regiments were drawn up.
1t was a magnificent spectacle and one
of the most interesting experiences in
the whole tour. The camp is an ideal
one. The ground slopes in all direc-
tions and the soil is sandy and porous.
After passing through the camp the
route lay through the United States
arsenal grounds, and the village of
Summerville, where corps headQuar-
tiers are located. From here the drive
was through the cotton mill district
and owe the canal where the presi-
dent saw the magnificent mills to
which he and Postmaster General
Smith referred in their addresses.
In passing dOwn Broad street the
procession halted for a few minutes
before the residence of ex-United
States Senator Patrick Walsh, mayor
of the city, who is confined to bed on
account of illness. Mrs. Walsh pre-
sented to Mrs. Mckinley. with the
mayors compliments, a magnifcent
bunch of LaFrance roses and express
ed to the president Mr.. Walsh's re-
grets that he was not able to partici-
pate in the reception. The president
sent a message Of sympathy to the
mayor whose illness he said marred
the otherwise perfect pleasure Of his
| visit.
In the heart Of the city a reviewing
stand had been erected and from this
the president and his party reviewed
the cavalry, the review of the First
division of infantry having taken place
at oon by General Young.
The crowd hat gathered was the
largest throng of the Whole tour and
the demonstration excelling that given
the president in any other place. Zen
eral Wheeler was the hero, Augusta
being his birthplace and here rest the
rmains of departed owed ones, whose
lives and precepts nave given to the
nation. so remarkable a man. General
Shafter was also given an ovation.
A unique feature of the demonstra-
ton was a company of uniformed vet
Grams of the confederacy with their
battle-scarred flags waving with the
Stars and Stripes. They were under
the command of Major G.. A. With
ers, aged and bent, clothed in the his
1 gray u lie AOSl SduSS. lie
| spectacle was a most touching one.
They stood Immediately in front of the
| president during his address and no
| cheers in the vast throng were more
| hearty than theirs.
The president was formally welcom-
ed by ex-Congressman j. c.. c.. Black.
who paid beautiful tribute to the spot
less purity of his privatc life, his eX-
] allied administration ahd his broad
| Americanism.
After the speaking the party were
| driven to the Commercial Club, where
a reception was rendered on behalf of
the citizens and a delightful repast was
| served.
AT 7:30 o'clock the journey to Wash
ington was resumed over the Southern
railway.
ARRIVAL AT COLUMBIA.
Columbia, S. c., December 19.-The
| presidential train arrived at Columbia,
where the first secession convention
was held, at 1910 O'Clock p. M, and for
forty-five n remained here. A
considerable crowd was at the station.
AS the train pulled out the president
and General Wheeler, the one from the
north and the other from the south,
grasped the hands of hundreds.
General Brooke Ill