The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-03-22
Tm Wessenger.


We heard from a Wilmingtonian who
witnessed the Inauguration display
that General 10. Wheeler, the very gall
liant ex-confederate cavalryman, re-
ceived more of an ovation. in the way Of
applause and Iong-protracted cheering
all along his way as he rode
at the head of the division he
commanded than any n else We
notice that the New York papers pub
Iished accounts that clearly indicated
that the hero of the day was not Nc
KinIev and his man Friday who rode
with him. mark Hanna the corrup-
tionist) but the hero of the south, the
only southron honored that day. The
New York Times reported this:
"ror individuals in the long line there
was plenty in the way of welcome.
That which was the most enthusiastic,
the most universal. and the most
spontaneous fell to the lot of General
Joe" Wheeler. All the cant phrases.
The ideal of the people" "A veritable
ovation" and the rest that are used
when parades are described belonged
to him. He was mounted on a hand
some and very spirited black thorough
bred and he rode the animal in q
fashion that marked him as one of the
few men who are to the saddle born.
lie wore the uniform o ia Major Cen
eral. that fitted him like a glove. and
from one end of the parade TO the other
was compelled to doff his chapeau n
response to the ringing cheers that
preceded his coming and followed his
going.
1t was a glorious day for the veteran
of at least three wars and of two cam
paignS in the latest of them. Had the
committee intended to fix things so as
TO bring about a display of enthusiasm
for his benefit. they could have arranS
ed them no better than they did.
His appearance at the entrance to the
Court of Honor was the signal for an
outbreak hat was really the sensa-
tional feature of the parade. There
was a rebel yell all along the line that
was supplemented by the northern
cheer, the two yelling together into
what grew into a screech of welcome
People were on their feet in all the
stands. and would not sit down until
their shouts of welcome had exhausted
them"
1t was a great day for the great
fighter from our side of the kingdom.
1t took the feathers from the onque
ing politicians cap, and made glad the
hearts of the great gathering. The New
York Tribune even told of fighting
joe Wheeler's reception" as it called
the gallant man of the south with some
thing Of admiration. 1t says:
The hero of the day however, was
Eighth e Joe Wheeler. The masSea
npanlp who frinoQ1 the line of march
of the inaugural parade simply let
loose when that gaunt, gray figure
came along. Spare n light of frame.
gray of hair and bald of head, weather
beaten and sOldierly looking. he stirred
the watching people as none of those
who had gone before had done, as none
who followed were to do. Superbly
mounted on a Kentucky thoroughbred.
horse and man seemed moulded togeth-
er. Long years ago on the banks of the
classic Hudson he learned to ride, and
later in the confederate cavalry he per-
fected his wonderful seat. There is
something in Joe Wheeler that ap-
peals to the people: Of that they left
no shadow of doubt on March A."
The old soldier can afford to retire
now. after such a grand display in re-
,cognition and crowding hOnors and
tremendous enthusiasm. If any man
of the south could afford to wear the
uniform of the U. S. army, it is the dis
tinguished confederate captain who has
been in two wars within three years
under the flag of the stars and stripes
and in the uniform of the soldiers he
once so daringly battled with.