Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-11-01
THE PRESIDENT IN RICHMOND.


Richmond yesterday in the presence of
President Mckinley, many members OF
the Cabinet, Governor Tyler. of Vir-
GINA, and en immense outpourirg of
people. The demonstration was mar
red in some of its features by heavy
raiustorm, and the civic carnival! parade
had to be abandoned until today.
Among the distinguished visitors were
General and Mrs. Fiizhugh Lee. Mrs.
Mckinley did not accompany the Pres.
ideut. The presidential train arrived
on time, and es it skirted through the
-uburbs of the city the Howitzer bat
terry fred presidential salute.
At Eibs station, in the west end,
where the President debarked and took
carriage for the Jefferson Hotel, he
was formally welcomed by Mayor Tay-
lor, who spoke as follows
'sMr. President-This occasion de.
mands simply an old Virginia welcome,
and as mayor and the representative OF
every man, woman and child in this
community l bid you and your di5tin-
guished associates hearty welcome to
this historic city. We are mindful of
the fact that you have shown by your
patriotic utterances that you stand tor
the whole republic. and we throw aside
all differences. We esteem you as the
President OF our entire country, and as
such we greet you, and thank you sin
cerely for your kindness in coming TO
cur celebration OF al event which is ap
.poch in our commercial history"
The response of the President was as
| follows:
"Mr. Mayor and my Fellow-citizens
Il only appear for a moment to give
heartfelt response 10 the warm and cor
dial welcome given to me by the people
of the city of Richmond, through its
1opored chief executive officer. Your
mayor has kindly alluded to the good
feeling which everywhere prevails, and
I can only, in replying, say thai if in
the slightest degree | have contributed
10 the un6cation OF the country it is
the proudest honor Of my life. l AN to
speak for few minutes this afternoon,
and SO only thanking you, Mr.. Mayor,
and my fellow citizens for this welcome,
bid you all good morning."
Immediately after this ceremony the
President and party we're driven to the
Jefferson Hotel, and held an informal
and somewhat enforced reception in the
Franklin street lobby ofthe building. i.
is estimated that thousand persons
shook hands With him before he would
permit the police to clear the way for
him to go to his prevate apartments.
a little luncheon was served in the
dining rooms of the hotel. some three
hundred persons sitting down, aud then
the presidential party were driven TO
the shipyard, the President being
warmly cheered along the route. At
The yard an immense crowd had as
sembled. The President was intro
duced from the stand by Mayor Taylor.
Tue President said
"Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen :
am glad to meet my fellow citizens
of Richmond and to join with them in
this interesting celebration in honor OF
be launching of the torpedo boat Shu
brick, builtin this city of American ma
terisl, by the labor CT American work
ingmen, for the use of the American
navy. I congratulate builders and
workmen npon this evidence OF their
! skill and industry, so creditable to the
manufacturing company and so highly
commended by the officers Of the gov
ermeD;. This is not he first contribu
ton which Richmond has made to our
splendid navy. She equipped the war
snip Texas with all her machinery,
boilers and engines, which were tried
and tested with entire satisfaction in
the brilliant naval engagement in the
harbor OF Santiago, when that gallant
vessel go glor;ously assisted in the
destruction OF Cervera's fleet, winning
a memorable victory and Fastening an
honorable and enduring peace. l
heartily rejoice with the people OF this
great city upon its industrial revival
and upon the notable prosperity it is
feeling in all OF it's business enterprises.
You are taking advantage OF the con-
mercial opportunities OF the hour. You
are advancing in manufactures, ex-
tending your markets and receiving
deserved share of the worlds trade.
What can be more gratifying to US than
the present condition Of the country
A universal love of country and no,
BILE national spirit animate all the PEG.
| pie. We are on the best of terms with
each other, and on most cordial rels
tons with every power of earth. We
have ample revenues with which to
conduct the government. No deficit
menaces our credit. Money is abun-
dant in volume and unques.ioDed in
value. Confidence in the present and
faith 10 the future are firm ard strong,
and should not be shaken or unsettled.
The people are doing business on bust
| ness principles and should be let alone
encouraged rather than hindered in
country and 6ud new and profitable
markets for their products. Manufac'
turing was never go active and so uni
ver.alIy enjoyed throughout all the
States. Work was never so abundant.
The transportation companies were
never 30 taxed TO handle the freight Of.
fered by the people for distribution.
The home and foreign markets con-
tribute to our prosperity. Happily, the
Litter has increased without any dimi-
nution of the former. Your locomo-
tives to Russia, the watch cases from
my little city of Canton to Geneva; the
bridges of Philadelphia span the Nile
and the products OF the American farm
and factory are carried upon every sea
and find welcome in most Of the Dorts
of the world.
1t is a great pleasure to me to stand in