The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-05-01

riages through the principal streets and
around the custom house. whence a
view of the Mississippi, now almost
overHowing on the Arkansas side, was
obtained, to Court square. The city
was Ella borately decorated with flags
and bunting. No residence or business
house seemed to have escaped from the
desire to decorate in honor of the pres
ident's coming. Banners were stretched
across the streets bearing such in
scrfptiOnS as Mr.. President. the city is
yours, . The Nations President
The cheering through which the pro-
cession passed was tremendous at
points along the route In Court square
where the open air reception took place
the platform was so hedged around
with roses and other blossoms as to
make it a flower show. over ten thou
sand people We're packed into the
square when the president was intro
duced by Mayor Williams In response
to the cheers which greeted him the
president made the first really notable
speech of his trip
His theme was the resistIess power of
a great united people and was delivered
in his best vein. When he referred in
closing to the noble record of the Ten
nessee volunteers in the Spanish and
Philippine wars. Governor McMillin led
the cheering. The speech in fun fol-
lows:
THE PRESIDENTS ADDRESS.
''I reciprocate the sentiments of good
will and fraternity expressed by your
reception on the part Of the people of
Tennessee. I do not nisinterpret this
demonstration do not appropriate it.
but accept 1t IN It's true spirit, and recOg-
nize its true significance to our common
country 1t is representative Of that
universal good feeling happily subsist-
ing among the people of the United
States and which is not bounded by
state, political or geographical lines. 1t
is co-extensive with the union itself and
exists because Of our love for the un-
ion. It is not perfunctory or superficial.
but deep and heartfelt. It is the hearty,
honest sentiment of honest people loving
their country and proud of its institu-
tions and determined that both shall be
maintained. It is powerfully infiuenc-
ing our national life and development
and completing that unification so es
sential to national security and so in
dispensable to the realization of our
national strength and influence. What
a mighty resistiesS power for good is a
united nation of free meni 1t makes for
peace and prestige, for progress and lib
erty. 1t cOnserves the rights of the peo-
pie and strengthens the pillars Of the
government and is a fulfillment of that
more perfect union for which our revolu-
tiOnary fathers StrOVe and for which the
constitution was made No citizen of
the republic TejOices more than do at
this happy state and none viii do more
within his sphere to continue and
strengthen it. Our past has. gone into
history. No brighter one adorns the an
mails of mankind. Our task is in the fu-
ture. We waive the old century behind
US, holding on to it's achievements and
cheriShing 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
international troubles to distract US or
jealousies to disturb our judgment, We
will solve the problems which confront
us untrammeled by the past and wisely
and courageOusly pursue a policy of
right and justice in all things making
l the future under God even more glorious
/ than the past.
4 am glad to meet with the people of
/ Memphis and state of Tennessee. Their
history is associated with the greatest
| struggles and sacrifices of our country
and their ValOr has been conspicuous on
! every battlefield Of the republic The
| commonwealth has lost none of the zeal
and patriotism which gave to it in the
early days the name of volunteer state.
She IS still worthy of that proud desig
/ nation, for even now its enlistments in
| the new army, according to population.
| exceed any other state in the union.
/ (Applause). Her record in the Spanish
4 war was a distinguished one I shall
! never forget that during the anxious
] days of 1893 It was the Tennessee sold
/ iers in the Philippines with uafaltering
! patriotism who led all others in re-en-
/ listments for the new regiments then
| cOuraged their comrades and cheered the
! heart of the whole country. Nor can I
4 fail to remember and recall in their
4 presence and make heartfelt acknowl-
edSment to the gallant First Tennessee
/ volunteers. who having once embarked
on the transports with their faces turn
ed homeward and toward those they
I loved, voluntarily disembarked, and
marching to the relief Of their comrades
| in distress, fought a brave fight and
| with them turned defeat into victory. All
! honor to the First Tennessee volunteers
and all the gratitude of which my heart
| is capable to the noble men and women
\ of this city for this magnificent welcome
| to my party and my associates" Pro-
| lOnged applause.)
After this speech the party was driven
to the Twentieth Century club, ladies'
| organization of this city. Here there was
a veritable beauty show. About 30
charming southern bellies held court in
bower of roses, ranged around a gilded
arm chair, which was designed to hold
/ the president. Mr. Mckinley. however
was too wary to be caught in the net.
He did not take the chair, but braved
the battery Of eyes, and after greeting
each of the young ladies personally in
4 turn, he was introduced by w. J. Craw-
/ ford of the Commercial Appeal and
made a pretty speech
After this function the ladies' of the
party We're taken in hand by the ladies'
of Memphis. A reception was held in
4 their honor, and later a banquet was
given them at the Peabody hotel At
the same time on the floor above the
/ president and the gentlemen of his par
/ ty, with about 200 prominent business
men of the city sat down TO an ela.borate
\ dinner
BANQUET AND MORE SPEAKING
Former Representative Josiah Pat
terson presided and much enthusiasm
was manifested. Secretary Hay spoke
to the toast Our Country" and the
\ president responded to the toast 'The
/ President of the United States" Mr.
( Mckinley delivered a nota BILE address.
/ discussing the future of the great
transportation lines and giving special
attention TO the ship subsidy bill.
1t is understood that the president
/ had not Intended to make any in por-
/ IL.