The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-05-05
Flowers Strewn Under the Carriage
Occupied by Mr. aud Mrs. Nc
kinIey as It Rolled Bys
SHORT STOP At DEL RIO
WHERE THE PRESIDENT SHOOK
HANDS WITH MExICANs,
And Where He Made Brief Speech
to Wool Growers-Dreary Ride
to the Boundary Line.

DEL RIO. Tex. May 4-The President
and his party spent the forenoon viewing
the sights of the quaint old city OF San
Antonio, with its historic Spanish missions
and its thrilling memories OF the war for
Texas independence. and then started on
the long stretch across the Texas desert
for FL Paso. on the Mexican border. Moth
ing could have been more interesting and
striking than the contrast between the ole
portion OF San Antonio-its strange Span
ish architecture. quaint streets filled with
the shifting multitude. Mexicans i'm high
peaked hats, their women in bright-hued
garments, cowled priests and sweet-faced
nuns in somber black-and the modern
city of stately business houses and resi-
dences, asphalted streets and even swift
rolling automobiles. The Mexican flag
was prominent in the profusion of bunt-
ing and banners with which the people had
decorated their city.
Governor Sayers, who had met the party
at Houston, accompanied the President
across the State thus far TO speed him on
his journey. At the station. General Nc
Kibben, who is in command OF the De-
partment of Texas, together with his staf
Gall I'm uniformly, and several troops OF
cavalry from Fort Sam Houston, united
with the citizens I'm receiving the party.
There was not time TO visit the Spanish
missions owing to the shOrtness of the
stay, but a drive was taken by the party
through the old adobe Mexican quarter,
past San Fernandino Cathedral, built early
in the last century, where Santa Ana
raised the red flag OF defiance against the
defenders OF the Alamo, 10 Fort Sam
Houston, where battery fired a salute In
the Presidents honor. A beautiful spec
tacle at Travis Square. where 1900 school
children, dressed in white, strewed flowers
under the wheels of the carriages occu-
pied by the President and Mrs. Mckinley
and sang the national anthem. In the
square, opposite the Alamo. where Colonel
Travis, Crockett and Bowie and the lSS
heroes died, TO the last man, rather than
surrender a platform had been erected,
and here, before immense assemblage,
which included the veteran organizations
of the blue and the gray. the speaking
took place.
THE PRESIDENTS SPEECH
The President was introduced by the
mayor Of the city and spoke as follows:
Mr. Mayor, Governor Sayers and my
Fellow-citizens-I wish / had the voice and
the speech 10 respond IN hitting terms 70
the gracious welcome given me by your
honored mayor, speaking 1or you ana IN
your behalf. j am glad 10 be IN TINS MS
toric city, on this historic spot and receive
from you the greeting and the good VIII
which you all feel toward this great he
public and toward the office which, for =
little while by your suftragess L am per-
mitted to hll. lApplausel ,.,-
Here are centuries or historic memo
ries The Texas people have a history OF
which they can well be proud, but IN the
glory of which all Americans and all lovers
of liberty, the world over, want 70 share
IApplause.l Your ancestors achieved your
independence by the sword. and as / stand
here near the Alamo. this sacred ana MS
toric place. / cannot fail 10 recall the
names OF Crockett, Travis and Bowie ana
their heroic associates VINO went down
after eleven days siege, sacrificing their
lives for liberty and independence lAp-
plause.l These were sacrincial giants tnat
cleaved the darkness asunder and beaconed
us where We are. When they teil, devoted,
but dyine. the meanest rill. the mightiest
river rolls mingling with their fame Tor
ever. IApplause.l
the Grand Army OF the Republic and the
Confederate Veterans lgreat applausel,
once more reunited and forever lapplausel,
each having respect for the courage OF the
other and all OF Us sharing the valor and
the heroism which We're shown on both
sides OF the line. IGreat applause.l We
know what stuff each other is made OF lap
plausel. the men OF the South and the men
of the North. but We have but one SIDE:
TApplause.l We are solid for the Union and
the flag. IApplause-l
= csa't ,'rscrlOe. 20 YOU my satisfaction
al the response the State OF Texas made
10 the call OF the executive 10 free an op-
pressed people and preserve the honor of
our common country. lApplauSe.I And me
sons Of the boys in blue and the sons OF the
BOYS in gray fought side by side in Cuba:
In Porto Rico and in the Philippines. AMI
are to-day shoulder TO shoulder, carry
ing the flag we love, spOtless IN its mission
of liberty and emancipation lGreat ap-
piause.l
1T was a pleasure 10 me 10 be receiNed
tv the school children of this historic city.
As l marched through the line Of more than
900 and heard them sing My Country. lis
of Thee. Sweet Land Of Liberty I knew
the future OF the Republic was safe forever.
Enthusiastic applause.
Il want TO return my thanks In the single
moment L shall occupy TO the people OF
this great Empire State. not alone for their
welcome 10 me- but for their contributions
which they are making for the advancement
and prosperity OF the Republic. tAppiause.i
No State was ever more blessed by kind
Providence than this. You have every
thing. strong men and fair women. and
YOUR fields are full OF the products and
wealth awaiting the uses and cultivation or
man. 1 congratulate YOU upon this spien-
did heritage. and join with your honorad
fr. aarfr, hat NE ~ lIn