Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1901-05-04

New Orleans, May q The presidcn-
tial party travelled across the cotton
belt yesterday from Memphis almost to
the gulf of Mexico. Down the low-ly-
ing Yazoo valley. fertile rs that of the
Nile, 1t went to Nicksburg, teeming with
its memories of 30 years ago, thence
east to Jackson, the capital Of MiSSis-
Sippi, aud from there down into the
land OF the magnolia and the orange
to the old and romantic city near the
mouth of the Mississippi, with its tra-
ditons of French and Spanish rule.
The outpouringS of the people To see
the presidential train along the route
yesterday were larger, If anything, than
on the two previous days, and the dem
Onstrations at Nicksburg and Jackson,
the two principal stops. were very strik-
ing. The visit to NickSburg was in
some respects the most interesting yet
made. Here II triumrlinl arch of cot
ton bales, with the word "EXpanslon,
pointed out to the president, as he
passed under it, the path of the new
south.
Although it had not been intended 70
make any stops after leaving Jackson,
the train was halted at several OF the
smaller towns whore cotton mills are
located TO permit the president to see
and speak to the operatives. At some
OF the stations the crowds actually inl-
pedcd the progress OF the train, and the
engineer was Obliged TO slow down to
avoid danger of running over cnthu-
sastic people.
As the sun was lowering the train
crossed the bayous with their tnn%lcs
of moss-covcrcd cypress and light oaks
and skirling Lake Pontch'rtran,
steamed into New Orleans.
This is the first time New Orleans has
ever had visit from the chief ma&is-
trat. of the nation, aud it was n royal
welcome that the old city extended to
President Mckinley. Mr.. Mckinley
himself has been here. He made Il
notable speech here the year preceding
his nomination for The presidency, but
never before has Il PRESIDENT. while in
| office, visited the Crescent city.
The air was filled with The blnrc of
| bands, the booming of cannon and the
craft, as the train drew into the sta
| ton. Here the president and his party
were greeted by Governor Heard,
| Mayor Cnpdcvillc, Senators McEncry
| and Foster. the entire Louisiana con-
| grcsSional delegation. the city council
| and representatives Of the various COM
| mcrcal exchanges.
The president and his cabinet passed
out of the station between II line OF
smart looking miltinmcn on one side
| and Il smartcr-looking line Of young ca
| diets from the Jesuit military college on
| the other. Outside the governors staff
| awaited the presidential party. Tie
crowd around the station was dense.
| \ big military parade. consisting of the
Louisiana cavalry troop. the Washing
| ton artillery and all the militia from this
| end of the state, escorted the party to
| the st. Charles hotel.
Mrs. Mckinley and the ladies of the
PARTY dined quietly at the hotel, and
| later received the ladies' of New Orleans.
| The president and his cabinet, with the
| other gentlemen Of the party, were
| given an elaborate banquet at the hotel
| in the evening. About 800 of the prom
| incnt men of New Orleans were pres
ent. and the banquet was said to have
exceeded in every respect anything of
| n similar character attempted hereto
| fore in this city.
The party will drive about the city
this morning, and in the afternoon take
a sail along the river front. The presi-
Dental train will again resume its
Journey towards the Golden Gate at 6
o'clock this evening.