Mesa free press. [volume] (Mesa, Ariz.) 1892-1901, 1899-05-12
THE PRESIDENT AND PARTY
PAY THE RALEIGH A
VISIT.
Capt Coglan, the Officers and Crew,
Warmly Welcomed by the
Chief Executive.

NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. leaving the
hotel the president expressed his de-
light at the prospect of inspecting the
ship that fired the first shot at Manila.
The president and his party boarded
one of the navy yard tugs at las
o'clock and as the tug moved away
from the pier the crowd on the wharf
set up hearty cheer, while the boats
in the vicinity whistled a noisy vel
come to the chief executive The pres
ident stood in the stern of the tug,
leaning on the arm of Admiral 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 Capt. Coghlan. The marines
stood at the guard rail on the boat
and the crew were ordered to man the
rail as President Mckinley and party
stepped aboard.
At the same moment the gunners be-
gan firing the national salute and the
bluejackets DOTTED their caps. Accom-
panied by Capt. Coghlan, the president
proceeded to the cabin of the cruiser,
where he held an informal reception.
He was then escorted to the lower deck
on which the sailors were lined up for
inspection. Capt. Coghlan introduced
them as follows:
"Mr. President: These are the men
of the Raleigh. Part of them are from
the flagship Olympia. They all served
throughout the whole campaign"
After passing before them with barred
head, Mr.. Mckinley addressed the Ma
Mia heroes as follows:
Capt Coghlan and men of the
Raleigh: 1t gives me great pleasure to
give you welcome home, and to con-
graduate you on the heroic part you
played in the great battle on thefirst of
May at Manila, which was most
glorious triumph of American arms
and made a new and gorious page in
American history.
81 assure you that when I give you
welcome, I am only speaking the hearts
welcome of several million citizens
who honor you all for your splendid
services to our country.
This feeling not only 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.
battle at Manila bay.
81 give you all warm and generous
welcome and my thanks"
Secretary of the Navy Long then ad-
dressed the sailors. He said:
"You have heard the naval COM
mander-in-chief, and listened to the
most feeling words in which the presi-
dent of the United States has just ex-
pressed not only his own generous
recognition, but that of the whole
American people, of your distinguished
services during your whole connection
with the United States navy.
"The country knows on whom sho
may depend. The record of the United
States navy is unsurpassed in the his
tory Of the world, and of that record
We do not forget you are a great part,
not only the officers of the deck, but
also, as the name has become famil-
iarly endeared, the man behind the
gun"
At the conclusion of Secretary
Longs speech, the sailors gave three
cheers for the President and three for
the Secretary of the Navy. This was
followed by the ships yell:
who are We? Can't you see?
eve are members Of the new-navee!
"Rah! rah! rah! Raleigh"