The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1902-04-16
Wednesday, April 16, 1902.
President Roosevelt's Visit.

President Roosevelt VlSlG 10 Ouar =
lesion was notable event IN more
RESPECTS than one. He was received
with regal splendor and generosity
that maketh not ashamed. From
the moment that he arrived in the
city until his departure therefrom
be received that attention due his
exalted position and was met with Vo-
ciferous cheering wherever he went
and the whole tenor of his enter
tainment was with a view of making
his visit to the historic city a mem
orable one. He visited many points
of interest and as the President and
his party passed through Chicora
Park, near the site of the naval sta
tion that is to be built, on their way
to board the revenue cutter, they
were welcomed with the boom CT
cannon. A day was pleasantly pass
ed in cruise around the beautiful
harbor and on returning to the city
they wete entertained at a magnif-
cent banquet.
Wednesday, "President's Day" at
the exposition, was glorious success.
About sixty thousand persons were
on the grounds. The military and
civic parade was unusually large,
grand and imposing, snd included
artillery, marines and sailors of the
United States, the militia from vari-
Gus States and cadets from two mill
tary academies besides various other
organizations. The reception of the
President along the route from his
hote! to the exposition grounds was
more than enthusiastic. The Presi-
dent reviewed the troops from a
platform in front of the auditorium
and on his entrance to the grounds
salute of twenty-one guns we're fired.
At noon the formal ceremonies oc-
Cured. The President spoke at
some length of the remarkable pro-
gress made by the South, and es-
pecially South Carolina, since the
war. He emphasized the necessity
of unity of action between all of the
people of the United States in order
that the marvellous era of prosperity
which is now upon the country might
be perpetuated.
That portion of his address which
was listened to with the closest at
tention and which called forth the
most unstinted applause, was that
which treated of the absolute disap-
pearance of ell sectional lines in the
nations feelings and affection.
His tribute to the gallantry and
endurance of the Confederate soldier
was applauded to the echo, and his
whole speech breathed the spirit of
unselGsh patriotism and lofty states
manship. It caught popular favor
and approval and the President ap-
peared in a far different light than that
we Of the South had pictured him.
By his visit to South Carolina he has
won the confidence and respect of
our people because he is better un-
derstood by them. This is evi'
denced by the ovations he received
on his return trip North, and the
barriers which have separated the
North and South have II measure
been torn away and we are today
nearer reunited people over whom
one flag floats!
During the ceremonies he present
ed a beautiful and handsomely en-
graved sword to Major Micah Jen-
kins in behalf of the friends of that
officer.
At Columbia a great crowd of the
best people of the city met the Pres
ident at the depot on his return trip
to Washington, and he was the re-
cipient of much attention and beau
full floral cfferings. He was pre-,
sented with a bouquet of flowers
which were plucked around Barb I'M