The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1899-11-02

wonderful progress and prosperity
when We think Of the glorious uniticl-
tion Of all the people Of our forty rye
States aud Territories. we are most
thankful 70 a kind Providence that has
cast our lines in such pleasant lsce-
and given 10 us such glorious h'ri-
tage. II We only count or mercles our
thanks for them would te countless.
IL thank you and bid you good
morning lirelt cheering and ap-
plAuse.)
There were calls for Gen Lee, WHO
came forward and bowed a. tie train
moved OF
Richm md. Va. October 81 The
demonstration here TO-DAY was success
in many respects de.pite the forbidcing
weather The civic carnival ptrAte.
had q be abandoned until tom Tru|
and the decorations Ot the buildings
presented "A bedraggl-d and woe bcg0ne
appearance But the people residents
n we'll a. visitors from other Virginia
cities and points outside the state, v no
came to witness the launching and see
the President were enthusiastic. and as
far a. possible, put the best foot fore
most
The presidential train arrived on
time. and as II skirted through the
suburbs Il the city the H'witzer battery
fred presidential salute A. EibA
station, in the West end, where the
President debArked aud took carriage
for the fferson hotel. he was form
ally WELCOMED by Mayor Taylor To
which the President made a short re-
sp)nse, as follows:
Mr. MAJOR and My Fellow Citizens 3:
| only appear for few III 'ments q give
heartfelt response 10 the warm and cor
dial welcome given 10 me by the p,O.
pie Of the city II Richmond through
its honored chief executive Diiicer.
YOar Mayor has kindly alluded - the
god feeling which everywhere pre-
walls. and I can only. in replying, say
that If IN the slightest degree have
70 the uniticatIon Of the
country. II l. the proudest honor Of my
life. an 60 speak for few minutes
this afternoon and 20. only thanking
You, Mr. Mayor, and my fellow Cit
zens. for this welcome | bid you ali
good morning
Immediately after this ceremony the
President and party were driven 70 the
Jefferson Hotel aud held an informal
and somewhat enforced re option in
the franklin street lobby Of the build
ing
II is estimated that a thousand FER
sons shook hands with him before he
would permit the police 10 clear the
way for him 10 90 10 his private apart
ments
A little later luncheon was served IN
the dinlng-rooms OF the hotel, some
three hundred persons sitting down, and
then the Presidential party were driven
to the shipyard, the President being
warmly cheered all along the route. At
the yard an immense crowd had assem-
bled, and the President, having been
introduced from the stand by Mayor
Taylor said
Sir. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen. |
am glad 90 meet my fellow citizens OF
Richmond and TO JOIN with them in this
interesting celebration in honor OF the
launching of the torpedo boat Shubri k.
built in this city, of American material,
by the labor of American workingmcn,
for the use Of the American navy. con
gratulats builders aud wOrkmen upon
this evidence Of their skill and Industry,
so creditabe to the manufacturing com
pany and so highly commended by The
officers Of the government.
~ T. 4 ls.E ruf n Q d
Richmond has made to our splendid
navy. She equipped the warsbip Texas
with all her machinery, boilers and en-
zines, which were tried and tested with
entire satisfaction in the brilliant naval
engagement in the harbor of santiago,
when that gallant vessel 30 gloiiously
assisted in the destruction of Ceryera's
feet, winning a memorable victory and
Fastening an honorable and enduring
peace.
| heartily rejoice with the people of
this great cit, upon its industrial re-
yiyal and upon the notable prosperity IL
is feeling in all Of its business enter
prises. You are taking advantage Of the
commercial opportunities of the hour.
You are advancing in manufactures, e1-
tending your markets and receiving a
deserved share OF the worlds trade.
What can be more gratifying 10 Us
than the present conditions of the
country ? A universal love Of country
and a noble national spirit animate all
the people. We are on the best Of
terms with each other, and on most
cordial relations with every power on
earth. We have ample revenues with
which to conduct the government. No
deficit menaces our credit. Money is
abundant in volume aud unquestiOped
in value. Confidence in the present
and faith in the future are firm and
strong and should not be shaken or
unsettled. The people are doing bust.
ness on business principles and should
be let alone--encouraged rather than
hindered in their efforts to increase
the trade Of the country and find ne"
and profitable markets for their pro-
duets. Manufacturing was never so
active and so universally enJoyed
throughout all the States. WORK was
never so abundant. The Transports
ton companies were never so taxed 10
handle the freight offered by the peo-
nile for distribution. The home and
foreign markets contribute to our pros
perity. Happily the latter has in
or ased without any diminution of the
former Your locomotives to Russia,
the watch cases from my little city of
Canton to Geneva the bridges Of
Philadelphia span the Nile, and tue
products of the American farm and
factory are carried npon every sea and
find welcome in most OF the ports Of
the world.
ERA OF GOOD WILL AND GOOD TINES
In what respect would we change
these happy conditions with the prom
Uses they give Of the future? The bust
ness activity In every part OF the coun-