The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1901-05-03

g.
itial train passed through the heart Of
Dixie today and at 4:3O reached
Memphis on the banks of the Missis
sippi. This was the first resting place
of the tour.
After descending the mountains last
night the train today skinned along
through Alabama and the valley of the
Tennessee river and touched at Cor
sinth, Miss, where, General Grant
gworsted' the confederate forces in his
scampaign to cut the ~confederacy in
two. The fresh, green southland with
Its fruit in full blossom. and it's in.
finite variety of wild flowers in the
fields and forests was a great change
from the last stopping place Of the
party.
The heat was rather oppressive, but
the weather was not SO warm as the
presidents welcome. The hearty
greetings extended to him along the
route testified how completely he had
changed hearts with the people of
Dixie. Confederate veterans at all
stopping places were among the
presidents most enthusiastic admir-
ers, and his appreciation of their
marks of loyalty was evident from
the brief speeches he made.
hour for the cabinet assembly the
president summoned his advisors into
the observation car and there, behind
closed doors, the first cabinet meeting
on wheels was held. No important
advices had been received from Wash
ington which required action, but
some dispatches were talked over and
some of the details as yet undeter-
mined were discussed.
At Memphis the party received a
wonderfully impressive welcome. A
committee heaued by Senator Car
mack met the train at Corinth and es-
corted the party to this city. a ma
tional salute of Fl guns fired from
the bluffs signalled the approach to
the city. At the station Governor Nc
MILAN and others reinforced the
greetings to the party.
A military parade with a company
of grizzled confederate veterans in
their old uniforms acting as the guard
of honor escorted the party in car
riages through the principal streets
around the custom house. whence a
view of the Mississippi was observed,
to Court square. The city vas elab-
orately decorated with flags and
bunting. Not a residence or business
house seemed to nave escaped from
the desire to decorate in honor of the
presidents coming. Banners were
floating across streets bearing such
inscriptions as "Mr. President, the
IlLy Is Yours" 1.-The Nations Pres
ident." The cheering in the streets
through which the procession passed
was tremendous at points along the
route.
In Court square,, where an open-air
reception occurred, the platform was
SO hedged around with roses and
other blossoms as to make it a flow
er show. Over $1,000 people were
packed in the square when the presi-
dent was introduced by Mayor Will
ilams. In response to the cheers that
greeted him the president delivered
the first speech of the trip.
His theme was the resistless DOW
or of a united people and was deliv-
cred in his best vein. When he re-
ferred impressively to the noble re-
cord OF the Tennessee volunteers in
The Spanish and Philippine wars Gov
ernor McMillin led the cheering.
After his speech the party was driv-
an fn tho Tvvnptioth ro~%,,, ol,,L ~
ladies' organization of this city. Here
there was a veritable beauty show.
About 80 charming southern bellies
held court in a bower of roses ar.
ranged around a graet armchair,
which was designed to hold the presi-
dent. Mr.. Mckinley, however, was
90 wary to be caught in the net. He
lid not take the chair, but he braved
che battery of eyes and after greeting
each OF the young ladies personally
n turn, ne was introduced by w. J.
Crawford of the Commercial Appeal
and made a pretty speech. In the
evening a banquet was held and at
l:3O in the morning the presidential
Grain resumed it's journey for New
Orleans, which will be reached at
1880 Wednesday afternoon.
Il reciprOcate the sentiments of
good will and fraternity expressed by
gour honOred mayor and shown in
Ehis cordial reception on the part of
che people of Tennessee. 1 do not
snisinterpet this demonstration. l
10 not appropriate it, but accept it in
It's true spirit and recognize its true
significance to our common country.
1t is representative of that universal
good feeling happily existing among
Ehe people Of the United States and
which Is not bounded by state, politi-
fal o. geographical lines. It is Co
offensive with the Union itself and
Exists because Of our love for the
Union. It is not perfunctory or super
acial, but deep and heartfelt. It is
The hearty, honest sentiment. of an
honest people, loving their country
Ind proud II its institutions and deter
mined that both shall be maintained.
a Ii powerfully influencing orr ma.