Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-17
M'K|NLEY IN ALABAMA,
Presidential Party Enthusiastically
Received al Montgomery
LARGE STANDING ARMY IDEA,
The Chief Executive Likes Feeling
Against II, But
VISIT TO THE TUsKEGEE SCHOOL.
Interesting Exercises There I'm Honor
of the Distinguished Travellers
Booker Washington Acknowledges
Southern Aid and support.
Aid and support.

MONTGOMERY. ALA. December 1G.-
The President and his party were given
a magnificent welcome in the Confede-
racy's first capital to-day. The Pres-
| dents train was escorted from Atlanta
to Tuskegee and thence here by the State
| Assembly, Governor Johnston, Chief JUS
tice McClelland, and a party of ladies.
| The Assemblys train came in ahead Of
| the Presidents. At the union station
the presidential party was met by the
| Governor, committees of the Assembly.
| the Mayor. and City Council and the
| commercial and Industrial associations.
Mayor Clisby received the President, in
a well-worded speech, at the station. The
whole party was then taken i'm carriages
| through the leading business and resi-
dence streets TO the old Confederate Capt
| tol. The entire route was ablase with the
national colors, while tremendous crowds
| lined the streets as far as the eye could
| reach. No such gathering has been seen
here since Mr.. Clevelands visit during
his first term.
Capitol Hill was one mass Of humanity
when the line OF carriages. escorted by
| the local military companies, reached
| it. at 3 o'clock. When Governor John
ston escorted President Mckinley into
| the hall there was tremendous demon
stration. Governor Johnston made a
brief speech in which ne took occasion to
say that Alabama had nothing 10 take
back for what she did in 1861, but that
she was back in the Union 10 stay. and
that she welcomed the President of the
reunited country TO the historic spot
around the assemblage.
THE PRESIDENTS ADDRESS
The President spoke as follows:
Gentlemen Of the General Assembly and
Fellow-Citizens:
"The warm-hearted welcome which has
been given to me by the citizens of Ala
pama has deeply touched me. and in
return for it | cannot find Language to
express my gratitude and appreciation.
To be welcomed here in the city Of Mont
gomery. the first capital Of the Confede
| rate States, warmly and enthusiastically
welcomed as the President OF a common
country, has filed and thrilled me with
emotion. Once the capital OF the Con-
federacy. now the capital of "A great and
glorious state, one of the indestructible
States of an indestructiblc Union.
"The Governor says he has nothing to
take back. We have nothing TO take back
for having kept you in the Union. We
are glad you did not go out and you
are glad you stayed in. Tremendous APP
pause)
Alabama, Ike all the States of the
Union, north and south, has been loyal
to the flag, and steadfastly devoted 10
the American nation and to American
honor. There never has been i'm the his
tory of the United States such a demon
stration Of patriotism from one end of
this country TO the other as in the year
just passing, and never has American
yalor been more brilliantly illustrated, i'm
The battle-lne on shore and on the bat
tleships at sea, than by the soldiers and
sailors Of the United States.
MOTHER" HOBSON AND MISS
WHEELER.
Everybody is taking of Hobson, and
justly so. but / want to thank Mother
Hobson In this presence. Everybody is
talking about General Wheeler one of
the bravest Of the brave, but I want TO
speak of that sweet little daughter that
followed him 10 Santiago great applause)
and mnistered TO the sick at Montauk.
(Cheers) l have spoken in many places
and at many times Of the heroism of the
American army and the American navy.
bat In our recent conflict the whole peo-
pie were patriotic. Two hundred thou
sand men We're called for and million
rushed to get a place i'm the ranks great
applause), and millions more stood ready,
if need be. prolonged applause)
LARGE STANDING ARMY.
"I like the feeling Of the American peo-
fl have "a In
standing army; but IL has been demon
strated in the last few months that we
need n standing army large enough to
do all the work required while we are at
peace, and only rely on the great body of
the people In an emergency TO help US
fight our battles. (Applause)
I'VE love peace. We are not n mill |
tary nation, but whenever the time of !
peril comes the bulwark of this .eople |
rests in the patriotism of its citizens. and |
this nation will be safe for all time. be- |
cause 100000 of people love it, and will |
give up their lives TO sustain and uphold |
il. Great applause)
II thank you. my fellOw-citizens, for |
this generous warmth and wealth Of well |
come which you have given ne today. |
and | shall 20 back 10 my duties at our |
great capital, feeling that we have |
united country, that acknowledges ale |
glance TO but one atthorltJ and viii |
march forever unitedly. under zone fac, |
the glorious old Stars ah1 stripes" Tire |
mendous cheering and applause)
PRESIDENT WILDLY APPLAUDED.
The audience constantly punctuated the |
remarks with the widest de- |
of approval and especially |
his tributes to Lieutenant HobSOn'S mo- |
ther and General Wheeer's daughter.
AS soon as he had finished the Governor |
started to escort the President away for |
a reception at his office but the audience |
would not have H. They called for Gene |
raj Wheeler. General Shafter, General |
Iawton. Secretaries Alger and Long. and |
General Smith. General Law |
ION at first refused 70 speak. Then, amidst |
great applause. he said:
IL am not an orator; am soldier. ] |
was not a hero; | am Q regular. / am one |
OF the 1000 regular soldiers sent to Cuba |
on behalf OF that part OF the army | COM
| thank You, people OF Ala |
bama."
REUNION OF SECTIONS.
The other speakers emphasized briefly |
the power Of the Spanish war In restoring ]