The San Francisco call., 1898-12-20
LOVING WORDS OF WELCOME
THE PRESIDENT HAS WON ALL
 HEARTS IN THE SOUTH.
Veterans Decorate the Chief Execu- tive With Their Badge and Compel Him to
 Wear It.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

MACON, Ga, Dec. 19.-The President and his party were received here by the largest croy q which has gathered in Macon since the last visit of Jeffer- son Davis to this city. Drawn up in front of the station was the Bibb Coun- ty Camp of the Confederate Survivors Commander c. NJ Wiley. As the Presi- dent reached the old Confederates he was hailed by Colonel Wiley, who, in welcoming the visitors, said:
 We extend to you and your party a most generous, hearty and sincere vel come to our beloved city, You, sir, have endeared yourself to the hearts of all Confederate soldiers on account of the noble sentiments expressed by you in re- gard 10 our Confederate dead. assure you that these old, maimed and inflrm veterans who have met here to do you honor to-day appreciate such words of love and kindness, and, uttered too, by by one who was member of the Union army In the sixties. l hope and pray, MT. President, that God in his infinite mercy may so direct the future legislation of this country that the living Confeder- ates will be remembered This country and the stars and stripes belong as much to the Grand Army of the Republic. The south proved it's loyalty to this grand old country when war was declared with Spain, and now henceforth and forever she will be found ready to take up arms to defend our country and our flag.
 MT. President, on behalf of the brave and maimed Confederate soldiers of BIub County Georgia, l present to you this parchment engrossed in letters of gold, the beautiful sentiment expressed by you in our capital city in regard to our hon. ored dead.
 As the President was about to pro- ceed pr. Roland B. Hall, another vet eran, addressed him as follows:
 Mr. President: In behalf of our noble dead, and as Confederate veterans, we are here to 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 Confederate veterans association, which bears your likeness and the words which should endear you to the heart of every Confederate.
 T do not know that it would be proper" said the President.
 But you must said Dr. Hall, and without further ceremony the President marched ahead with Judge Speer. The sight of the Confederate badge on the Presidents coat as he passed through the lines of veterans called forth Vocif- erous cheering. The President wore the badge during his stay in Macon.
 One of General Wheeler's old cavalry
 
 of his major generals coat and the doughty little warrior proudly wore it away with him when he left the city.
 The Presidential party was driven in carriages to the stand where the Presi- dent was to review the troops of Gen eral Bates division of General Wilson's army corps. As his carriage passed the Confederate monument an old Confed- crate veteran frantically waved a Con- federate flag, while by his side was the hardest fighting Confederate regiments, who was as vigorously waving the Stars and Stripes. When the President was abreast of him the two flags were brought to a salute, side by side. The incident seemed to appeal to the Presi- dent. Emblazoned on the base of the monument were the words of the PreSi- dent about the graves of the Confed- crate dead.
 After the review a great crowd gath cred about the stand, though a steady rain was falling. Judge Emory Speer introduced the President, who delivered a short address.
 The Presidents remarks were ire quently interrupted by cheers. Then there were loud calls for General Wheeler, Little Old Fighting Joe," as he was affectionately called. He re- sponded briefly.
 General Shafter was next called and spoke briefly.
 The Presidential party was taken in charge by the committee and driven about the city until it was time to take their departure for Augusta.