Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-11-01
WEDNESDAY. NOVEMBER /, 1899
PRESIDENT AND LAUNCHING.

The weather here yesterday morning
was desperately npromising. Clouds
darkened the sky. an east wind blew,
and a chilling rain fell necessarily. The
consequence was that the trades parade
was postponed till to-day. but the Presi-
dent was received and the Shubrick
launched. according to programme.
First at Fredericksburg. next at Ash
land, and then at Elba station. Rich
mond. the President and his party were
formally welcomed The cheerlessness of
the weather was not allowed TO lessen
the warmth Of the greeting. The speeches
of welcome and responses fitted the oc-
casion nicely. Governor Tyler and Mayor
Taylor. on the part of this state and
city, were happy in their remarks, and
the President established cordial rela-
tons with the people in his replies Cen
eral Fitz Lee and Secretary Ro' T. VINO
were put forward by the President at
Fredericksburg, also spoke delightfully."-.
From Elba station, the visitors We're
taken to the jefferson Hotel, and there
they remained the greater part of the
day. On yesterday. as never before, our
people were impressed with the value Of
the jefferson TO this city. What could
we have done without it, Where else
could we have housed that great crowd
so well? Where else found such bright
and cheerful refuge from the storm?
Where else given our guests such an
agreeable first impression Of Richmond?
Major Gnter builded well for us.
1t was an acquaintance-making day
the President doing his part generously,
and shaking hands with hundreds, yea
thousands. The members Of his Cabi-
net. too. made themselves agreeable. All
helped to negative the disappointment
caused by the weather's interference
with the days programme.
Luncheon over. the presidential party
drove to the Trigg ship-yard. There, as at
the hotel. a great crowd was assembled
but at times it was a sea of umbrellas
rather than a sea Of faces, before and
back of the President. But there were
some intervals when the showers ceased
TO vex the multitude. These we're the
GASES in that desert. Ne:, seeing how
very large, how very eager and enthusi-
astic, was that crowd Of men, women,
and children, one could not but believe
that but for the rain the turnout would
have rivalled any that Richmond has
ever known The President having been
presented by Mayor Taylor delivered the
speech Of the occasion. 1t had been care
fully prepared. and much OF it was read
from typewriter sheets Yorktown and
Appomattox were connected as dating
two new eras in the countrys history
Richmond was congratulated upon whai
she has done i'm the ship-huilding bust
ness. He said the present conditions OF
the country are gratifying, and that "a
universal love OF country and noble
national spirit animate all the people. w
are on the best OF terms with each other
and have most cordial relations viii
every Power on earth" Money is abun
dant In volume and Of unquestione,
value" said he, and manufacturing wa
never so active. and work was never 81
ODQDQGIi. III ~ ilNt NiiIN al u q VI 6hD'
times. but one Of good feeling.
The President said that he could no
forget TO make his acknowledgements I,
the men Of Virginia for their hearty anC
patriotic support in the war with Spain
and "for their continued and unninchn'
loyalty in the suppression Of the insur
rection in Luzon." The rolls OF the Vir
einia volunteers. he said, contain IN,
name Of some. OF the best blood OF tbs
State. some Of them the descendants OF
the most illustrious Virginians OF its ear
Hest and latest times. This was con
strued to refer particularly TO fitz Lee.
Excepting the local references none OF
these Views OF the Presidents are new
but never before have they been present
ed In the terms employed here yesterday
The conditions were unusual. He was
speaking In the city which was the CAPT
tai OF the confedera y. and 10 an au,
dience mainly cOmpos ID OF ex-Confede
rates and Democrats. He undertook L
II, without INDUCING controversial
spirit. In this he succeeded as well al
any man could have done. He proveC
10 be much more of an orator than com
mon report had led US TO believe. though
he spoke under very disadvantageous cir
cumstances.
Secretary Long, who has proved him
'"'f good friend Of Richmonds in Civ