Evening journal., 1901-05-01
Pays Tribute to the Soldiers
Of Tennessee
ROYAL WELCOME IN MEMPHIS
First Cabinet Meeting on Wheels Held.
Party ROashCS New Orleans
This Afternoon

Memphis, Hay 1.-The presidential
train passed through the heart OF Dixie
yesterday, and at 4:30 o'clock in the
afternoon reached Memphis. on thel
banks Of the Mississippi. This was
the first resting place OF the tour. The
heat was rather oppressive, but thel
weather was not so warm as the presi-
dents welcome Confederate veterans
at all the stopping places were amongl
the presidents most enthusiastic au-
ditors, and that he was impressed with
their remarks of love and esteem was
evident from the brief speeches he
made at Huntsville, Decatur, Tuscum
bia and Corinth
During the morning, at the regular
hour for the cabinet to assemble, the
president summoned his advisers into
the observation car. and there, behind
closed doors, the first cabinet meeting
on wheels was held No important ad-
vices had been received from Washing
ton that required action, bat the for
eign dispatches in the papers were
talked over and some of the details as
yet undetermined were discussed.
At Memphis the party received a
wonderfully impressive welcome. A
committee, headed by Senator Car
mack, met the train at Corinth and
escorted the party to this city. A ma
tional salute of 21 guns signalled the
approach to the city. At the station
Governor McMillin and others met the
party. A military parade, with a COM
pany of grizaled Confederate veterans,
in their old uniforms, acting as the
guard of honor, escorted the party in
carriages through the principal streets
to Court Square. The city was elabor-
ately decorated with flags and bunting
and banners were stretched across the
streets bearing such inscriptions as
"Mr. President, the city is yours" THE
nations president" etc.
In Court Square, where the open air
reception occurred the platform was
so hedged around with roses and other
blossoms as to make it a flower show
Over 10000 people were packed into the
square when the president was intro
duced by Mayor Williams He spoke in
part as follows:
Il reciprocate the sentiments of good
will and fraternity expressed by your
honored mayor and shown in this cor
dial reception on the part of the peo-
pie Of Tennessee. ] do not misinterpret
this demonstration. ! do not appro-
pirate it, but accept it in its true spirit
and recognize its true significance to
our common country. It is representa-
tive of that universal good feeling
happily existing among the people Of
the United States and which is not
bounded by state, political or geograph-
ical lines. II is co-extensive with the
Union itself. and exists because OF our
love for the Union. 1t is not perfume
tory or superficial, but deep and heart
felt. 1t is the hearty, honest senti-
ment OF honest people, loving their
country and proud Of its institutions.
and determined that both shall be
maintained.
Our past has gone into history No
brighter one adorns the annals of man
kind. Our task is for the future. We
leave the old century behind us. hold
ing on to its achievements and cherish
ing its memories, and turn with hope
to the new. with its opportunities and
obligations. These we must meet. men
of the south, men Of the north. with
high purpose and resolution. without
internal troubles to distract us. or
9eaiousies to disturb our Judgment, VIC
will solve the problems which confront
us untrammelled by the past and wise
ly and courageously pursue a policy of
right and justice in all things.
Il am glad to meet the people nj
Memphis and Of the state Of Tennessee
Their history is associated with the
greatest struggles and sacrifices of our
country and their valor has been con-
spicuous on every battlefield of the re-
public. The commonwealth has los,
none Of the zeal and patriotism which
gave to II In the earlier days the name
Of the volunteer state. II shows il is
still worthy of that proud designation
for even now its enlistmerts in the
new army, according to population. ex-
ceed those of any other state in the
Union. Her record in the Spanish war
was distinguished one. / shall never
forget that during the anxious days OF
1899 it was the Tennessee soldiers in
the Philippines who. with unfaltering
patriotism. led all others in re-enlist-
ments for the new regiments then
forming.
They encouraged their comrades