The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-04-09
ROOSEVELT BANQUET.
Charleston Welcomes the Presi-
dent Officially and Socially.

Charleston, S. C., April 9.-The ban
quet rendered to President Roosevelt
last night at the Charleston hotel was q
fitting close to a day full of incidents,
and served to gather together men
prominent in the affairs of the state
having solely in mind greeting to the
president, which should prove the sin
certify and the warmth of feeling exist
ing for him as the chief executive of
the nation. The banquet hall was a
bower of roses, pinks and smilax arts
tically arranged, while loosely strewn
over the tables were thousands of vio-
lets. Over 300 specially invited guests
were present
Mayor Smythe welcomed Mr.. Roose-
welt to Charleston and the presidents
response was listened to with the
closest attention and was INTERRUPTED
by LOUD continued applause
The presidents remarks were as fol-
lows:
Mr. Mayor and You. My Hosts ana
My Fellow American Citizens Great
applause);-I should indeed be but a
poor American myself if I were not
deeply touched and gratified by the way
you nave greeted me today, in this, your
beautiful city; and, of course, feel a
home here. (Applause.) I think that
every American who is worth his salt
has the right to feel at home in every
part of the United States. (Applause.)
L
who took part in the great war. The
war in which the younger among us
here took part was a very little one be-
cause it did not have to be any bigger.
(Applause)
But it had one thoroughly good eff
feet; it put the cap ON the structure
that has been building while we were
almost unconscious of it, and it taught
US how thoroughly at one we were.
When we got through that war it did
not N axe a bit of difference to Us
whether it was an admiral who came
from Vermont or a lieutenant who came
from Alabama (Applause), if the man
had done his duty in such shape as to
make US each feel an even more gener-
Gus thrill of pride in our common ma
tiOnality. The debt that We owed him
had little to do with the section from
which he came. (Applause)-
And now, a special word to you OF
Charleston and of South Carolina. Just
u years ago, when I first went ID
Washington to take part in government
tai work, was Immediately thrown in
to singularly close contact and intfua-
cy with a South Carolinian 1t was nv
good fortune to work with him for three
years and for the nine years since, and
for as long as shall continue to be in
to try to do decent duty for the repub-
/ lie, because I have been thrown init
mately in contact with as fearless and
as high minded d public servant as this
your former governor. Hugh Thompson
| Great applause).
And from what I have known of you
and of your representa- ves it was in no
sense a surprise, but it was keen
pleasure to be greeted with the hearty
and generous hospitality which YOU
/ have shown me today (Applause)
1t is an unusual event for the presi-
dent of the United States to present a
1 sword of honor but the circumstances
! connected with the incident to take
! place today, Presidents Day at the
/ Interstate exposition viii render it an
/ especially unique occasion.
Major Micah J. Jenkins. who is to he
( honOred by this state and the chief Off
! Ger Of the nation, is so honored because
! Of gallantry in fighting for the United
4 States Strangely enough, his distin-
/ guished conduct as captain in the ia
/ nous Rough Riders, that won him pro
motion to major in that regiment. was
1 not known in his native state until the
history Of that command, written bv
! Roosevelt when governor of New York
and issued when vice president, was
read here And this is the son of aneth-
l er Micah Jenkins. of South Carolina.