Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-11-20
HOMECOMING OF
CEN. LUKE WRIGHT
Given a Warm Reception by His
Native City, Memphis
BUT PRESIDENT WAS "IT."
Ills Presence Overshadowed Every
ihing-Pnys u Tribute OF Respect
70 the Hero OF the Day.

welcome extended TO nm 10 say tnut
President Rooseyelts presence was the
overshadowing feature of the day. FIX
cursion trains were run into the city
and a number Of distinguished people
were present to participate in the cele-
bration Among them were Gov Ben
ton McMillin and Gen. Joseph Wheeler
The parade was long one.
Immediately after the presidents ar
rival there was parade through the
streets to the Gayoso hotel, where a
breakfast was rendered to the presi-
dent and Gov Wright by the ladies of
Memphis. In the afternoon the presl-
dent attended and spoke at two recep-
tons given in honor Of Gen. Wright,
one at the Auditorium by the white
citizens and the other in the hall in the
black section by the colored people.
There was colonial danes tea at
the Gayoso, and the festivities closed
tonight with an elaborate banquet at
the Peabody, at which the president
delivered a set speech. Including some
brief remarks at the breakfast, the
president spoke four times during the
day, Altogether Is was q splendid
tribute to the affection and esteem In
which Gen. Wright Is held at home.
That Mrs. Wright Is also exceedingly
popular was made apparent by the APP
plause which greeted every reference to
her This was especially marked at the
Auditorium, when the president re-
ferred to the fact that his mothers
brother served In the Confederate navy
under her father, who was Admiral
Semmes.
Mayor Williams and Gov. McMilln
both made addresses Of welcome here,
and the audience was very enthusiastic
when Gen. Wright delivered his re-
Spouse,
President Roosevelt had not intended
10 speak at this reception, but the as.
semblage would not be denied. He said:
81 am glad, indeed, to have the
honor Of coming today TO your beauti
full city In your beautiful state TO greet
on behalf OF the whole country
Tennesseean who has rendered high
and honorable service to the whole
country; n Tennesseean Of which II
can be said, as 1t has been said Of the
Greek hero:
Much has he seen and known; cities Of
men
Himself not least, but honored Of them
all,
And drunk delight Of battle with his
peers,
Far on the ringing plains of windy
Troy.
''We are one people absolutely. The
memories OF the civil war are now
heritage Of honor alike 10 those whose
fathers wore the blue and for those
whose fathers wore the gray. There In
one curious and not Inappropriate
coincidence today-my mothers brother
served under Mrs. Wrights father in
the Confederate navy.
IL come here today to greet Gen.
Wright because II has been given to
him 10 render peculiar service to the
whole country.
"a man can render service OF the
very highest character al home, but
owing to the very nature Of our system
OF government he must In his cleo
ton at least, represent particularly
given party. | say In his election at
least, for after election, ii he is worth
anything. he must be representative
OF the whole country. But there are
certain branches OF the public service
In which, II We are wise and far-seeing.
we VIII never allow partisan politics TO
enter. (Applause) There must be no
partisan politics In the army or navy
OF the United States. All that con-
Germs US to know about any general
or admiral. about q mighty captain by
sea or by land Is whether he Is u thor
oughly nj commander OF men and loyal
to the country as whole. In the same
way, II we are wise, II we care for our
reputation abroad, II We are sensitive
OF our honor at home, we VIII allow
no question OF partisan politics ever
10 enter into the administration Of the
great commands which came under our
flag as a result of the war with Spain.
Hence, / say that Gen. Wright, like
Gov. Taft and his associates, has rem
dered q peculiar service TO every man
jealous Of the honor Of the American
name In what he has done In admins
terng the Philippine Islands. For IA
months IL has been part OF my business
10 see how the work there was done. |
am not speaking eXaggeraungly. ] am
speaking literally, telling the bare. maxi
ed truth, when | say that never during
that time has a question OF party poll
tics entered into even the smallest ac-
ton OF those In control Of the Philippine
islands.
Now, my fellow Americans, we can
not afford TO have the honor OF the
nation In any way smirched In con-
nection with our dependencies. We
cannot afford TO have II smirched any
where. III we wrong ourselves here az
home we are to blame and We pay the
penalty, but IL We allow wrong In con-
nection with the islands, not only the |
Islands suffer, but an indelible stigma \
OF shame comes TO the American name |
am earnestly DESTROYS that the ad- |
ministrauon OF the Philippine Islands |
shall be put and kept upon such q |
plane Of patriotic efficiency that no |
change will be made In II owing 10 any |
change of party here at home Party |
feeling should, OF course, stop at the
water line"
The reception rendered by the colored
people was remarkable. Gen. Wright
earned their undying gratitude during
the two yellow fever epidemics 20 years
abo by remaining here when most OF
the whites had fed. and seeing that the
sick were cared for. The hall was
packed, galleries and pit, 20 suffoca-
ton, and the whole spirit Of the pro-
ceedings breathed love and admiration
for their friend. Gen. Wright, In adj
the coored audience, talked
chiefly OF their future. telling them OF
the difficult problems before them. He
said II would perhaps have been better
for both races had the change from
slavery 10 citizenship not come 80 sud
denly.
The presidents reception when he
was introduced beggars decriptioh The
colored people became perfectly frantic,
Jumping up and down In their enthu-
siasm and yelling themselves hoarse.
At the conclusion Of the preSdents
the entire audience OF over
600 united in singing God BE With Us
TIL We Meet Again
There were 200 guests at the banquet
A.. "A |