Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1898-12-15
President Mckinley Received
With Greatest Enthusiasm
by Southerners.
MADE A HISTORIC SPEECH
Before the Georgia Legisiature-AnO Old
Confederate Soldier Cried Like . Child
at His words-Geu. Wheeler Given
an novstion-Festivities of tho
Peace Jubilee.

Atlanta, Dec. 1.-Pre sident Mckinney
made memorable the first day OF the At-
l1nta peace jubilee by a notable utter-
ancc in his speech before the Joint session
of the Georgia Legislature this afternoon.
His reception by the General Assembly
vas warm and hearty in the extreme and
his speech was interrupted with frequeus
outbursts of cheering. 1t is admitted OF
all sides that the address marked an
epoch In history and IS tonight on every
iir. Upon the President arrival at tho
Capitol he was greeted with Il field ar
tilery salute and was at once escorted
to Gov. Gamblers office There short
informal reception took place. Upon its
conclusion tho President was conducted
to the assembly chamber. whore he oc-
Cupied the speakers chair with Gov
Gambler on his right. When President
podson of the Senate called the I.egisla-
ture to order the galleries were thronged
with men and women. Tho body of the
chamber was well filled with State saua-
tors and aSSamOlymen while the uniforms
Of the various officers and the governors
STAFF gave touch of brilliant color 10
;he gathering. on the first row facius
the speaker sat Secretaries Gage. Long,
Wilson and Smith and Secretary to tho
President Porter. Beside the speakers
desk and below the President Gems.
Wheeler. Ldwton and Young in full uni
"
for silence and introduced the President
70 the audience after ConEratulatias the
state of Georgia upon the presence cs
their distinguished guests. AS the Presi-
! dent rose the audience app,aujsi. During
the course OF his speech Mr.. Mckinley r.
| farrcd to his notes and constantly paused
for the cheers to stop.
y scene of intense enthusiasm followed
when amid impressive silence these words
fell from the lips of the President:
Every soldiers grave made during tho
civil war is tribute to American valor.
And while. when these graves were mada
We differed widely about the future Ot
the government those differences wers
long ago settled by the arbitramept oe
arms-and the time has now come in the
evolution Of sentiment and feeling under
tho Providence of God. when in tho spirit
of fraternity We should share with you in
the caro- OF the graves of the confsderdts
soldiers"
A wild cheer went up from every throat
in the typical southern audience, 4 cheer
that echoed and re-echoed through the
chamber intil 1t was taken up by ;he
crowds outside.
? Old men who fought for tho South ioSs
from their seats and waved their hats.
One confederate veteran, TOW - venerable
legislator. had passed forward until ha
was leaning against the speaker'S desk
hanging on each word the President Ut
tered. When tho reference was made 10
the confederate dead. this old man bur
led his head in his arms and while cheers
rang out. cried like little child. OF all
the many concililtory speeches which
have heeu made since Grant said Let
there be peace" nothing has more deeply
stirred a southern audience than the SIM
pie words IF President Mckinley this AZ
terroon.
No sooner had President Mckinley con-
c!uded before there were loud cries for
.yl vi. ~ mo l-,Of -
his head scarcely higher than the speak,
er's desk, the audience once more gave
vent TO wild enthusiasm. Gen. Wheeler
referred enthusiastically to the Efforts Of th'
President towards preserving peace Ss
llcng as the countrys honor would permit
such efforts and OF his mastcrfGl policy
after war was Inevitable Gen. Wheeler
paid a tribute to Admiral Dewey and add
el:
The army in conjunction with the navy
was ordered to attack and destroy tha
Spanish forces at Santiago. In four weeks
that order was obeyeI and its purpose uc-
complished. The proud Spanish nation
stood suing for peace from the nation
which month before il had held up Ia
rdicrle and SCorn."
Calls for Brig -Gen. Young brought thar
officer to his feet with a short speech re
gar!iuG the conditions ~ the army camps
in the South. lie said that no troops n
the world were better or more reSilly ttd
and treated than were the troops in South
Carolina and Georgia. Gen. l-awIon WAS
loudly choerel. but refused TO make u
.peech lie simply thanked. on behalf os :
his men NJ Santiago. the legislature AMI
people Of Georgia fer their tribute 10 him
self. Secretary Alger refused 10 speak
and the Legislature dissolved.
The President held 4 private reception
in the Senate and afterwari public recep-
ton on the steps OF the roturda Hundreds
of Southerncrs crushed and joStiej each
other in their anxiety TO shake 4 NortA-
ern Presidents hand. Many had como
from miles distant and NJ els p. m. when
the President left the clpito. there wcrs
still hundreds bitterly disappointed be-
cause they had not been able 10 make their
way through the surEing thronS 10 SCI 4
second hold on his hand. The days testt-
INities included unique nora, PARADE
which was reviewed hy the President and
a festival tonight Ia the distinguished
guests at the Capital City club,
To-night the members Of tho Capital
City club opened their club house 70 tho
President and Mrs. Mckinley and tho
guests of the city. The occasion was notd-
bly, brilliant The receiving party constst-
ed OF a number of Atlanta's representatives
women and large company OF club Ineul-
bers. The decorations were flags, AmCrt-
can smlaN and American beauty roses.
| Tho late arrivals to-day Were Hon. Evan
Settle OF Kentucky, who Will speak in tho
, place or Congressman Bailey; RICHMOND h
L. Hobson and Miss Hobson. and Gov.
VOORHEES, OF New Jersey.
The prettlest and most novel event OF
the days festivities occurred during the
afternoon. 1t was the floral parade IN
which all the prominent people Of the city
took part ANA the first OF its kind ever
given in tho city, Carriages OF every kind
were in limo all beautifully decorated in
an elaborate manner, The ladies Wed
with one another to present tho most
: beautiful carriage and at the same time
to bid for the prize offered by the cumurit-
tee having the feature in charge. Deco
rations of every description were seen
from the rare hot house eNoticS TO ths
hardy plants which had no fear OF cold.
The parade went through the business
portion of the south side. passing out on
Peachtree street. which was lined on both
sides with thousands of cheering school
3 children. all waving tiny fass. The Pres
D ident and escort preceded the parade to
I the reviewing stand. As each carriags
I passed the stand the occupants saluteS
: the President and waved ffags 10 which
tha eNecutiye responded yraSiluSly.