The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-12-23

Milledgeville, Ga, December 19.-The
presidential train stopped here, the
former capital Of Georgia, on its way
TO Augusta. An intensely enthusiast
tic crowd was at the depot and salutes
were fired by the local military. Pres
ident Mckinley addressed the crowd
from the rear platform Of the train,
saying:
ut is to me a very great pleasure to
greet the citizens Of Milledgeville, the
old capital Of the state OF Georgia. In
my journey through your state 1 have
been received with a real warmth OF
welcome and 1 assure you that it is ap-
preciated from the depth Of my heart.
1 am glad to know that once more this
country, north and south, all the people
of fall sections, are minated by one
purpose, one aim, n hope for a COM
mon destiny under the banner of the
free, and nothing gives me more salts
faction than to feel that as the presi-
dent, called by the suffrages of the peo-
PIE, 1 am permitted to preside over a
nation rich with glorious memories of
glorious deeds, now united in an I'M
broken and never to be broken union.
1 now have great pleasure in present.
ing to you General Wheeler
General Wheeler vas cordially cheer
ed and spoke as follows:
my fellow citizens: 1t seems hard
ly proper after this beautiful address
from the president of the United States
for me to detain you for one m
with any words of mine. 1t gives me
pleasure which / cannot express to have
had the privilege by invitation of the
president to visit the south with MIN.
1 was 50 glad hat the president ac-
cepted the earnest invitation from the
various citizens of the south to come
and see the wonderful development
they are making, how they are bring
ing their Our to the front and
how they are developing their hidden
resources in such a way as to add very
much to the wealth of our nation. I
am glad the president has brought
with him his cabinet; 1 am glad he has
brought with him the distinguished
commander of the American forces in
Cuba, Genera / Shafter." wild ap-
plause.)
General Shafter was warmly greeted
and cheered.
THE PARTY AT MACON.
Macon, Ca, December 19.-The presi-
dent and his party reached Macon
promptly on time and were received by
the largest crowd which has gathered
in Macon since the last visit of Jeffer-
son Davis to the city. At the station
was a reception committee consisting
of a number of the most prominent citi-
zenS of the town. Drawn up in front
of the station was the Bib county camp
of the Confederate Survivors Assoc
citation, 400 strong, headed by Com
mander G. NJ. Wiley. AS the president
reached the old confederates he was
halted by Colonel Wiley, who ad-
dressed him as follows:
mr.. President: AS commander of
the Bibb County Veterans Association
and Bibb County Camp No. 4S4, we
extend to you n your party a most
generous, hearty and sincere welcome
to our beloved city. You, sir, have en-
deared yourself to the heart of all con-
federate soldiers on account of the
noble sentiments expressed by you In
regard to our confederate dead. l as
sure you that these old, MANNED and
inirm veterans who have met here to
do you honor today appreciate such
words of love and kindness, and utter
ed, too. by the president of this great
country, and by one who was a mem"
Der of the union army in the sixties. 1
hope and pray, Mr.. President, that God
in His infinite mercy may so dire : the
future legislation of this country that
the living confederates will be remem-
bered. This country and the Stars and
o"G aS IIoSh ~ ILL
ate veterans as it does to the Grand
Army of the Republic. The south
proved its loyalty to this grand old
country when war was declared with
Spain and now henceforth and. forever
she will be found ready to al up
arms to defend our country and our
siag.
"Mr. President, in behal of these no.
bile and brave confederate soldiers of
Bfbb county, Ga, I present to you this
parchment engrossed thereon in let
%ers of gold the beautiful sentiment ex-
pressed by you in our capital city in
regard to our honored dead"
THE PRESIDENT WEARS A CON
FEDERATE VETERANS BADGE.
AS the president was about to pro-
coed DR.. Roland B. Hall, another vet
eran, addressed him as follows:
MIR. President: In behalf of our no.
BILE dead and as confederate veterans
we are here to manifest our apprecia-
ton of the noble and generous senti-
ment you have recently uttered. Do US
the honor, sir, to accept and wear this
badge of a Confederate Veterans
camp which bears your likeness an6
words which should endear you to tht
heart of every confederate"
II do not know that it will be prop
err" said the president.
But you must said DIR. Hall, and
WlIIOul ceremony Tie DTSSlu6u
marched ahead with Judge Speer. TIL,
sight of the confederate badge on tn;
presidents coat as he passed through
the lines of veterans called forth vo
ciferous cheering and as long as tn,
president was in sight they cheeret
him.. The president wore the badg,
during his stay in Macon.
One of Genera Wheeler's old caval
rymen also pinned a badge to the lape
of his major generals coat and tn
doughty little warrior proudly wore /
away with him when he left the city
The presidential party vas driven il
carriages to h stand, where he wa
to review the troops Of General Bates
division Of General Wilson's arm,
corps.
AS his carriage passed the confeder
ate monument an old confederate vet
eran frantically waved a confederat
flag, while by his side was the son @
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