The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-05-07
ON THE MEXICAN BORDER
LONGEST STAGE WITHOUT STOP OF
THE PRESIDENTS TRAIN.
From San Antonio to FL Paso-Mexf.
cans Greet the President at Longley.
The Reception at San Antonio-The
Enthusiasm of the Crowds Unabated.
Visits to the Alamo-President'
Speech on the Reunited Country.


rounded by thousands of citizens and
visitors. President Mckinley and Gov
ernor Sayers with heads uncovered
stood under the walls of the historic
Alamo today.
The presidential train arrived from
Austin at 2:35 o'clock in the morning
and was Immediately placed on a sid
ing where the members of the party
were allowed to rest until 6 o'clock.
At that hour President Mckinley was
up and about
After breakfasting on the train the
president and his party were visited by
the reception committee and the march
to the Alamo began. The streets and
buildings along the line of March were
profusely decorated and the president
was everywhere received with the ut
most enthusiasm
The largest demonstration of the day
occurred at the Alamo, when the presi-
dent and Governor Sayers appeared
arm in arm.
The president made an eloquent
speech explaining the heroic deeds of
the gallant defender of the historic
fort.
The visitors were next escorted to
Fort Sam Houston where the govern
ment troops were reviewed by the dis
tinguished party. Colonel McKibben,
the commandant. received the presi-
dent. who greeted him warmly.
The party next visited the college and
hundreds of school children cheered
them.
The party left for Ell Paso at 1890
o'clock in the afternoon
The president in his address said:
Il am glad to receive the welcome
| Of the Grand Army of the Republic, and
the confederate veterans once more
united and forever, each having the re-
spect and courage of the other and all
Of us-sharing the valor and the patriot
| ism which was shown on both sides OF
| the line. We know what stuff each
| other is made of-the men of the south
| and the men of the north-but we have
but one side; we are solid only for the
union and the flag. The sons of the
boys in blue and the sons of the boys
in grey fought side by side in Cuba II
Porto Rico and in the Philippines, an;
are, today. shoulder to shoulder, carry
! ing the flag we love spotless in its
/ mission of liberty and emancipation
| AT the conclusion Of the president:
remarks. Governor Sayers on behalf O.
the people Of San Antonio, presented
the president an oil painting of tn,
| Alamo.
Mr.. Mckinley gracefully acknow
ledged the gift by saying there wa
nothing he would prize more highly.
The train left at noon for Ell Paso
624 miles away. the longest distance t,
be travelled during the entire trip with
out a scheduled stop.
During the afternoon the youn.
ladies of the party enjoyed a novel ex
perience. For about twenty-five mile
they rode in the cab of the engine.
Longleg, Texas, May 4.-Presiden
McKinley's route this afternoon dippe,
southwark and for a time ran along tn
picturesque cliffs of the Rio Grande.
At Detrio just before dark, the trail
stopped to change engines and the pres
ident shook hands with quite a numbe
of people some of them Mexicans from
across the border and in response t
the calls made brief speech.