Evening star., 1898-12-20
EFFECT OF THE TRIP
President Mckinley Sees a Reunited
Country.
SOUTHERN PLEASURE DEMONSTRATED
Sentiments of the People on Terri
torial Expansion.
GEN wheel Frs COMMENT
N PLEASURE DEMONSTRATED
GEN. WHEELER'S COMMENT

IiliS LlOI IHIHS Inc trip mas Deeil a SdtlSfac-
tory one in every way. The Presidents big
heart. foreign to partisan impulses has
been touched at the cordial greetings and
attentions of the southern people.
The President has at least had a good
rest from official work. The people have
tried to make him forget official cares and
responsibilities. and have succeeded in
large measure. Practically all thought was
lost in the south of the fact that republic
can President was being entertained. and
the people remembered only the man and
the office he occupied. As a man. President
Mckinley has long been loved by southern
people; a President. he is respected and
admired beyond the conception of most peo-
pie.
The President himself feels that the trip
has been worth much to him and to the
country He at last sees a reunited coun-
try He has said that if the war with Spain
was of no consequence otherwise it was
valuable in that it again united a common
country.
General Wheeler says that the southern
people have found much pleasure in the
Presidents visit. and more in the fact that
he himself has evinced pleasure in his trip.
Throughout the SOUTH, General Wheeler
says, the people are charmed with the
Presidents gentle and generous manner
and the liberal spirit manifested in his ad-
dresses The President returns home with
a better Knowledge of southern people"
Southern Sentiment on Expansion.
Politically, the trip is regarded as a sue
cess. Southern congressman have had their
eyes opened as to the sentiments of their
people on territorial expansion. If the peace
treaty IS opposed it will be done at great
risk The genera! belief is that the Presi-
dents speeches in the south have rendered
the ratification of the peace treaty an easy
matter. After that opposition to extension
viii he certain political suicide for any man
OF party The only possible fight would be
one 10 commit the country i'll the future
against further expansion, which could
hardly he made successfully until some
thing tangible arises.
CordiaIity Everywhere
The entertainment of the President |
throughout the south was alike cordial
but at Savannah it was something out of
the usual run in that the President was not
expected to be a drawing card. All the eff
forts of the people were directed toward
making him enjoy himself socially. The
PRESIDENT gave himself up to this delight
ful program
The trip throughout was without hitch. |
and the entire party gives credit for this to
Col L 5 Brown. general agent of the pas
senGer department of the Southern railway
lie accompanied the party. and the train
was never a minute late. Secretary Porter
says iAdt the management was as perfect
as on any trip the President has taken
The dining service was admirable being
directly under picked men of the Southern
railway. CO.unel Brown has made a good
impression on an Of the party by his fore
slSAt and careful attention 10 all details
What Secretary AIger Says.
Secretary Alger went 10 the War Denart
ment almost directly on his return to Wash
ln5toG, only stopping moment at his house
on the way. He expressed himself in terms
Of the highest praise as to the reception ac-
corded the presidential parry at every point
IN the south where they touched. and even
at the little hamicts which the train passed
without stopping. whore the inhabitants
showed their appreciation of the Presidents
N-SIt, The Secretary said that what partic-
uitrlJ impressed him was the absolute sin
Ceriiy OF the people in their welcome Of the
PRESIDENT II was honest, straightforward
anu sLCh as might come only from loyal,
loving k-nsmen.
Naturally Secretary Alger lost no oDpor
tunlty during the trip TO look into the CON
utions among the United States troops
qH@rtered in the southern towns and cities
along the line Of route. Generally snaakfrrr
he said he found these conditions aIIrniraI,I,
and the men in excellent health. He was
particularly GratIted at the universal re-
ports teSitiyIHE 10 the excellent conduct of
the soldiers The leading citizens assured
him at all points that he men We're beh;ly-
ing Ike gentlemen and giving no cause for
concern, and being welcomed to the homes
Of the people.
The Secretary reports that Gen. Brooke's
illness mas been very much exaggerated He
suffers from nothing more serious than a
cold, and his slight ailmeut Will not in any
Way interfere with the plans which the
department. has formed concerning his de-
pariure for Cuba toward the end of the
month
Address From Confederate Veterans
When the Presidents party reached Ma
con drawn up in line in front of the sta
ton was the Bibb County Camp of the
Confederate Survivors Association. 400
strong, headed by Commander c. NJ. Wiley
As the President reached the old confed-
crates he was halted by Colonel Wiley.
who addressed him as follows:
MT President: As commander of the
BIbb County Veterans Association and
Bibb County Camp, No. 49, We extend to
you and your party most generous and
hearty, sincere welcome to our beloved
city You, sir. have endsared yourself
To the hearts of all confederate soldiers
on account of the noble sentiments ex-
pressed by you in regard to our confederate
dead | assure you that these Ole manned
and iniirm veterans who have met here to
do you honor today appreciate such words
OF love and kindness, and uttered too by
the President OF this great country. and
by one who was member OF the Union
army in the sixties.
4 hope and pray Mr.. President that
God, in His infinite mercy may 50 direct
the future legislation of this country that
the living COEfedtrates will be remembered
mis- country and the stars and stripes be-
long as much to the confederate veterans
as it does 10 the Grand Army of the Re
public The south proved its loyalty TO
this grand old country when war was de-
Clarod with Spain, and now henceforth and
for ever she will be found ready TO take
Up arms 10 defend our country and our
flag
Presented With Parchment.
Mr.. President, In behalf of these brave
and MANNED confederate veterans of Bfbb
county, Ga, 1 present to you this parch-
meEt, engrossed therein in letters of gold
the beautiful sentiments expressed by you
in our capital city in regard to our honored
dead"
As the President was about to proceed
DR.. Roland b. Hall. another veteran, ad-
dressed him as follows:
Mr. President, in behalf of our noble
dead, and as confederate veterans we are
here 10 manifest our appreciation of the
noble and generous sentiment you have
recently uttered. Do US the honor sir
to accept and wear this badge of a con-