The Portland daily press., 1898-12-20
PRESIDENT PUT IT on.
Wore Confederate Veterans Badge at
Macon.

BORE HIS WORDS REGARDING
GRAVES OFCONFEDERATES.
Tremendous Enthusiasm for the Prest-
dent in the South Conttnues--Stght
of Badge on His Breast Caused Old
Rebels to Cheer Themselves Hoarse.
Macon, Ca, December i9.-The Presi-
dent and his party reached Macon
promptly on time and were received by
the largest crowd which has gathered
since the last visit of Jefferson Davis to
this city. At the station was reception
committed consisting Of numher OF the
most prominent citizens of the town.
Drawn up In front of the station was the
Bibb County camp of the Confederate
Survivors association, 400 strong. As
the President reached the old Confed-
crates, Col. Wiley addressed him as fol-
lows:
"Mr. President-We extend to you and
your party most generous, hearty and
sincere welcome to our beloved city.
You, sir. have endeared yourself to the
hearts Of ell Confederate soldiers on ac-
count of noble sentiments expressed by
you in regard to our Confederate dead.
I assure you that these old, MANNED and
infirm 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 coun-
try, and by one who was member OF the
Union army in the sixties. hope and
pray, Mr.. President, that God in His in
finite mercy may go direct the future
legislation of this country, that che liv-
ing Confsderates will be remembered.
Ibis country aud the Stars aud Stripes
belong as much to the Confederate
the Republic. The South proved it's 10y
atty to the country when war was de-
olared with Spain, and now, and hence
forth and forever she will be found ready
to take up arms to defend our country
and our flag.
"Mr. President, on behalf OF these brave
and manned Confederate soldiers of Bibb
county. Georgia, 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.
orsd dead.
Dr.. Roland B. Hall, another veteran,
addressed the President as follows:
ssMr. President, on benan or our oead
and as confederate veterans, we are here
to manifest our appreciation OF the noble
and generous sentiment you have recent
ly uttered. Do us the honor. sir. to ac.
cent and wear this badge OF Confederate
Veterans association, which bears your
likeness and words which should endear
you to the heart of every Confederate
II do not know that 1t Will be proper,
said the President.
tsBut YOU must.' said DIR. Hall and
without further ceremony, the Pres tdent
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 vociferous
cheering.
The President wore the badge during
his stay in Macon. One of Gen. Wheel
ers old oavalrymen also pinned badge
to the lapel OF his Major Generals coat.
The Presidential party was driven in
carriages to the stand where the Presi
dent was to review the troops OF Gen.
Bates's division of Gen. Wilson's army
CORDS. AS his carriage passed the Con-
federate monument an old Confederate
veteran frantically waved a Confederate
flag while by his side was the son OF
the colonel of one of Georgia's hardest
lighting Confederate regiments, who was
vigorously waving the Stars and Stripes.
When tine President was abreast OF them.
the two flags were brought to salute
side by SIDE The incident seemed to ap-
peal to the President Embiazoned on
the base of the monument were the words
of the President about the graves OF the
Confederate dead. The sidewalks were
packed along the line of march and Mr.
Mckinley and other celebrities were vig-
orousiy cheered.
After the review great crowd gath
cred about the stand, though steady.
soaking rain was falling, and listened to
brief speeoh by the President.
The Presidents remarks were frequent
Iy interrupted by cheers. Then there
were loud calls for Gen. Wheeler, "Little
auely called. He responded briefly.
Gen. Shafter was next called for and
spoke briefly.
Gen. Lawton would not speak, but ap-
peared on the stand and bowed.
Gen. Bates said a dozen or more words,
and then Gen. Wilson took the stand.
Ho made the speech Of the occasion. He
said in conclusion:
ssBut splendid as the Presidents work
has been, there still remains greater work
for him to do. 1t is glorious work. 1t
is work which justities the President IN
saying we are at last one and that tho
Confederate soldier should receive the
same treatment as the Federal soldier.
hope to see the day when our flag shall
float everywhere from the frozen North
to the sunny CLINE of Central America.
We are too big and powerful and pro-
gressive to have neighbnrs on this conti-
nent, and trust, before the next admin
istration of the President closes the flag
will fly over every foot of the continent
from the northern extremity of the Do
minion of Canada to the Gulf of Mexico /"
The Presidential party was taken In
charge by the committee and driven
about the city until it was time to take
its departure for Augusta
A HITTING CLIMAX.
Augusta, Ga, December 19.-The de-
monstration in Augusta this evening in
honor of President Mckinley was fitting
climax to his southern tour At Wheeler
station, four miles from Augusta, the
party left the train and entered carriages
On the other side Of the road leading to
Camp mckenzie, were drawn up six
troops of thu third cavalry that saw SER
vice with General Shafter in Cuba.