Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-20

uOh so remarkable a man.
General Shafter was also given an ova-
Ton. A unique feature of the demonstra-
ton was a company of uniformed vete-
rams Of the 'Confederacy. with their bat
tie-scarred flags, waving with the Stars
and Stripes. They were under the COM
mand OF Major Withers, aged and bent,
clothed In the historic gray of the lost
cause. The spectacle was a most touch
ing one. They stood Immediately in front
OF the President during his address, and
no cheers In the vast crowd were more
hearty than theirs.
The President was welcomed by ]. E..
Blake. who paid glorious tribute TO the
spouess purity OF his private life, his ex-
allied administration, and his broad
Americanism, and did not forget her who
In private life gladdened his home. filed
his heart with love, lightened his bur-
dens, and fostered his laudable ambition.
The President said in reply:
THE PRESIDENTS SPEECH.
Mr.. Chairman, My Fellow-Citizens: 1
nave been received by many people and
In many places-West and North. and
south and East-but nowhere nave / met
a welcome that has given me greater
pleasure than the one you extend to me
here to-day. l wish 1t was I'm my power
TO make suitable response to the gracious
and eloquent words OF him whom you
nave chosen TO speak in your behalf. my
old friend, whom l met for the first time
In the Congress of the United States. 1t
Is indeed an honor TO me, and one that
shall never be forgotten, 10 stand in the
place associated with the names OF Wash
lngton and Lafayette and Clay and Web
ster. IL is also a pleasure to me TO ba I'm
the city where the gallant cavalry officer.
General Joe Wheeler. was born. IAN
plause.) 1t is a pleasure for me 10 meet
IN this welcome the veterans Of the gray.
those ex-Confederate soldiers (applause).
n TO feel that in common with the vete-
rams Of the blue. and all their fellow-citi-
zens, they are In heart-touch with the
aims and purposes of this great republic.
(Applause.)
what a wonderful country we have.
With what pride the contemplation Of
Its history fills us all. When Washington
was here we had a little over 100000 of
people,; we ave 100000 to-day. We
nave added vastly TO our territory; we are
to-day the largest manufacturing, the
largest agricultural nation OF the world.
(Applause) our floats on
every sea, and only day before yesterday
/ saw that a thousand tons OF ship-plates
had been landed in Glasgow, Scotland.
and what IS even more significant, II was
carried upon a ship bearing the American
flag. Applause)
THE REUNITED COUNTRY.
my fellow-citizens, / congratulate you
upon the prosperity of the country; L
congratulate you upon the progress 1t has
made in the last third OF a century, but |
congratulate you even more that as a
people you are united and devoted to
commercial enterprise and more imbued
with the true national spirit than we have
been since the formation of the Federal
Union. Applause.) There are no d.
visions now. We stood united i'm front OF
a foreign foe. We will stand united until
every triumph Of that war has been rea-
lized. (Applause.)
HIS TRIP REMARKABLE.
This, my fellow-citizens, is a fitting
conclusion of a most remarkable trip /
have made with my associates in the
South. Nothing could be more appropri-
ate. Only as one star differs from an
other does this reception differ from what
has been accorded to us at every step.
All have been a glorious tribute 10 the
patriotism Of the people and their love or
country. / leave this scene of gracious
hospitality, this wonderful demonstra-
ton Of devotedness to the Union and the
flag, with memories that will carry with
me so long as life lasts (app.ause), and in
this sentiment every one associated with
me, / am sure, fully shares; and / 30 back
TO my public duties at Washington en-
cOuraged by your expressions of approba-
ton, with the touch Of your warm and
generous hearts, which you have made me
feel. (Applause.) L go back encouraged
to meet the grave duties and responsible
ties which await me as the servant OF all
the people. feeling that l will have your
encouragement your support, in the per-
90, Da - thoua. IrffaG and rpGnnnGihiH-
ties to the honor Of my country and to
the happiness and well-being OF all con-
cerned. (Applause)
IL nave with me a number Of distin-
guished gentlemen Of my Cabinet and a
Of the heroes Of the Spanish war,
all OF whom, | am sure, you viii be very
glad to meet, and l give way that you
may see and greet them" prolonged APP
plause and cheers.)
WHEELER AND OTHERS SPEAK
General Wheeler, General Shafter, Sec
rotary Alger, Secretary Gage, and POST
Master-General Smith spoke briefly.
After the speaking the party were driven
to the Commercial Club. where a recep-
ton was rendered on behalf Of the citi-
zens and a delightful repast was served.
At 1880 the journey TO Washington was
resumed over the Southern railway.
STOP AT COLUMBIA.
COLUMBIA, 5. c., December g.-The
presidential train arrived at Columbia, |
where the first secession convention was
held, at 1910 p. NJ, and for three guar
ters of an hour remained here. A con-
siderable crowd was at the Blanding-
Street station.
General Cole and staff, Mayor Lpscomb,
and the City Council, Colonel Abbott,
and others officers from the camp were
present and were presented to the Fresi-
dent and those accompanying him.
The Second Tennessee Regiment band
was present. and as the train rolled In
played an inspiring air.
Prolonged calls from the people brought
forth the President, who was introduced
by Mayor Lipscomb.
The President said that this stop was
not a part of his itinerary, but IT was
agreeable, though unexpected, plea
sure. He was glad 10 meet the citizens,
and glad 10 meet the soldiers encamped
here. He then spoke briefly OF the great
ness Of the American Government and
and Constitution, and said, in conclusion,
that this was a common country, as
was evidenced at the opening Of the re-
cent war, when North and South, East
West rivalled each other In their
efforts to prove their patriotism. His
closing sentence-"Let us here solemnly
dedicate ourselves TO this great govern
ment"-was greeted with d%eafening
cheers, and he retired, after introducing
General Shafter. He merely thanked the
people for their attention. and said that
he was glad 10 meet representative South
Carolinians.
WHEELER FEELS AT HOME.
When General Joe Wheeler was intro
1nggH fhara Nng "A GrpgfGr gmnnEtrqfinn |