The Savannah morning news., 1902-11-20
HONORS IN MEMPHIS
ARE SHOwERED UPON PRESIDENT
ROOSEVELT.
IS GREETED BY THOUSANDS.
on ALL SIDES CITIZENS SHOW
THEIR RESPECT FOR HIM.

Many Distinguished People Partici-
pated in the Celebration That
Marked His Appearance-Sfgnal
HonOrs Also Paid Gen. Wright.
Negroes, as Well as Whites, Paid
Their Tribute to Roosevelt and to
Wright-Parades, Speeches and n
Banquet Marked Presidents STAY
in Memphis.
Memphis, Nov. 19.-Although the
festivities to-day celebrated the home
coming of Gen. Luke E. Wright. vice
governor of the Philippines, it is no
reflection upon the warmth of the well
come extended to him that President
Roosevelt's presence was the over
shadowing feature of the day. Excur-
sion trains were run into the city,
and a number of distinguished people
were present to participate in the cell
celebration. Among them were Gov.
Benton McNIillin and Gen. Joseph
Wheeler.
The programme was a long one. I'm
mediately after the Presidents ar
rival there was parade through the
streets to the Gayoso Hotel, where a
breakfast was rendered the President
and Gen. Wright jointly by the ladies
of Memphis. In the afternoon the
President spoke at two receptions Civ
en- in honor of Gen. Wright, one at
the Auditorium, by white citizens, the
other at a hall in the black section
of the city by the negroes. There was
later a Colonial Danes tea at the
Gayoso. and the festivities closed to-
night at an elaborate banquet, at
which the President delivered a
speech.
Including some brief remarks at the
breakfast the President spoke four
times during the day. Altogether it
was splendid tribute to the affection
and esteem in which Gen. Wright is
held at home. That Mrs. Wright is
also exceedingly popular was made APP
parent by the applause which every
reference to her provoked. This was
especially marked at the Auditorium
when the President referred to the fact
that his mothers brother served in the
confederate navy under her father,
who was Admiral Semmes.
Enthusiastic Over Wright.
Mayor Williams and Gov. McMilIin
made addresses of welcome, and the
audience was very enthusiastic when
Gen. Wright delivered his response. He
Wasssseat3 sf 4oue he'd BIZ sasesson, Rlisnent.
paid hilHF by the Rresid9hfs presence
and With the demons tration in his
honor.
Gen. Wright did not go deeply into
the situation in the Philippines in his
remarks, but he emphasized the fact
that the administration of the islands.
under both Presidents Mckinley and
Roosevelt, had been absolutely of a
non-partisan character. President
Roosevelt had not intended to speak
at this reception, but the assemblage
would not be denied, and he spoke
briefly.
The reception rendered by the ne
groes was truly remarkable. Gen.
Wright earned their undying graft
tude during the two yellow fever cpl
denies twenty years ago, by remain
ing here when most of the whites
fed, and seeing that the sick were
cared for. The hall was packed, gall
leries and pit, to the point of suffoca-
ton, and the whole spirit of the pro-
ceedings breathed admiration for their
friend.
Gen. Wright, in addressing the coll
ored audience, talked briefly C. their
future, telling them of the difficult
problems before them. He said that
it would perhaps have been better
for both races had the change from
slavery to citizenship not come so
suddenly.
President to Negroes.
The Presidents reception beggars
description. The negroes became al
most frantic, jumping up and down in
their enthusiasm and yelling them
selves hoarse. The President said in
part:
0co. xxyx;o,b+ hos s,ocaaded Il, +ba
Philippines by displaying just those
qualities which each of us must in a
lesser degree display, if we are to be
good citizens here at home. There is
nothing peculiar in government. Good
government consists in applying the
old, humdrunl, every day, common
place virtues which all of us learn, but
which all of us do not practice. If
man is fearless, is honest, has consid-
Grafton for others and Is gifted with
the browning grace of common sense,
he is going to do fairly we'll
I'VE. all of us. tend to rise or fall
together. If any set of us goes down
the whole nation says little. If any
of US raise ourselves a little, then
by just so much the nation. as
whole, is raised. Every man who does
markedly good work in one sphere OF
government, By Just so much helps
all of us and elevates all of us.
1T is a great thing when we can
point to any American who has ten
dered signal service in any position.
1t makes all of us a little better Amer
leans, makes us feel spurred on to do
little better work as citizens, each
IN his own sphere of activity"
Uncle Was Under Semmes.
At the Auditorium the President
said in part:
We are one people absolutely. The
memories of the Civil War are now
heritages of honor, alike for those
whose fathers wore the blue and for
tnose whose fathers wore the gray.
1here Is one curious and not inappro-
Pirate coincidence to-day: My moth
ers brother served under Mrs.
Mrght's father in the Confederate
Navy. I come here to-day 10 greet
ten. Wright. because 1t has been
gwen to him to render a peculiar SER
wee to the whole country. A man can
render service of the very highest
character at home. but owing to the
very nature of our system of govern
ment, he must in his election at least
Iepresent particularly A given party
! say In his election at least. for at
yer election, II he is worth anything,
ne must be a representative Of the
"nole country. (Appiause.) But there
ere certain branches Of the public SER
wee IN which. II we are wise and far
Eng we VIII never allow partisan