The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-04-29
ABOARD THE RALEIGH
PRESIDENT M'KINLEY VISITS CAPT.
COGHLAN'S CRUISER.
Brief Speeches by the Chief Execu-
tive and Secretary LOng-The Crews
Yell-The President in New York.

PHILADELPHIA, April 2S.-PreSident
Mckinley and his party left the Hotel Belle
vue shortly after 10 o'clock this morning
for visit TO the cruiser Raleigh, which
lies at anchor in the Delaware river. Off
the center of the city. Mrs. Mckinley and
the other women who came from Washing
ton rode in the carriages with the President
and the members of his Cabinet. The
weather was perfect and before leaving the
hotel the President expressed his delight
at the prospect of inspecting the ship that
fired the first gun at Manila.
The President and party boarded one Of
the navy tugs, and as the boat moved away
from the pier the crowd on the wharf set
up a hearty cheer, while the boats in the
vicinity whistled a noisy welcome to the
chief executive. The President stood in the
stern of the tug, leaning on the arm of Ad-
miral Casey, commandant of the League
Island navy yard. In about two minutes
the tug drew alongside the Raleigh, and the
President was greeted by Lieutenant
Commander Phelps, who introduced him to
Captain Coghan. The marines stood at the
guard rail on the poop deck and the crew
were ordered to man the rail as President
Mckinley and his party stepped aboard.
AT the same moment the gunners began
cts doffed their caps. Accompanied by Cap
tain Coghlan, the President proceeded to
the cabin of the cruiser, where he held an
informal reception. lie was then escorted
to the lower deck, on which the sailors were
lined up for inspection. Captain Coghlan in
troduced the men of the ship as follows:
Mr.. President-these are the men of the
Raleigh. Part of them are from the flag
ship Olympia. They all served throughout
the whole campaign"
After passing before them with barred
head, Mr.. Mckinley addressed them. He
said:
Captain Coghlsn and men OF the Raleigh
1t gives me very great pleasure TO bid
you welcome home and to congratulate each
one of you on the heroic part you have
played in the great battle on the 1st of May
at Manila, which was a most glorious tri-
Lmph of American arms and made new
and glorious. page in American history. i as
you when / give you welcome L am
only speaking the hearts welcome of Amer
leans who honor you for your splendid serv-
extends to your great admiral, whom we all
love and honor, but to the humblest men,
Der of the crew who was in that great fleet
at Manila bay. / give you all warm and
generous welcome and my thanks
Secretary of the Navy Long then ad-
dressed the sailors as follows:
You have heard the naval commander
in-chief and listened to the most feeling
words which the President Of the United
States has just expressed, not only his own
generous recognition, but that of the whole
American people. of your distinguished SER
vices during your whole connection with the
navy. The country knows upon whom she
may depend. The record of the United
States navy is unsurpassed in the history
of the world, and in that record we do not
forget you a great part, not only the
officer of the deck, but also, as the name
has become Familiarity known, the man be-
hind the gum"
At the conclusion of Mr.. Longs speech
the sailors gave three cheers for the Presi-
dent and three cheers for the secretary of
the navy. This was followed by the ships
yell:
WHO are we?
Can't you see?
We are members of the new navee.
Rah. Rah Rah, Raleigh
This amused the President very much. He
shook hands with the various officers Of the
cruiser and spoke a pleasant word to each.
Then, with the women of the party. the
President made a tour of inspection of the
cruiser. He examined the big gun on the
starboard side which spoke first in the bat
tie of Manila, and displayed much interest
in all he saw. A general handshaking con-
cluded the visit and the presidential party
returned TO the tug.
A flying visit made to Cramps ship
building yards. where the battle ship Ala
bama, in course of construction was in
spected. Some surprise was expressed at
the agility displayed by Mr.. Mckinley in
climbing ladders and mounting steps on the
Alabama. Is the President was about
to descend from the upper deck of the bat
tie ship he discovered the steps were very
steep. Remarking that the best way to get
down is to back up he went down back
wards.
The party went to the Hotel Bellevue
shortly after l o'clock, where they partook
of luncheon, for the trip had whetted their
appetites.
The presidential party left for New York
in a special train over the Pennsylvania
road at 2:35 p. m. President Thomson of
the Pennsylvania Railroad met the President
and party at the entrance TO the station and
walked with them TO the train. Immense
station and cheered the President as his
train departed.