The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-04-23

The First Lady Held Briiitant hecep'
ton ut ths st. Johns - At = Banquei
In the Chief Executive's Honor lie
Spoke on the Bonds Which Unite AL
sections-A Sword to Major JenkinH.
Charleston, s. C.-Pres!dent Roose'
velt has paid his pledge and comph'
ment to Charleston and that portion
Of the South which centres In and
about this place. and its Ivory CITY
outdid itself In hospitable welcome
that the occasion might be memorable
After q day spent mostly In seeing
the sights around Sumter and othel
harbor points. the Chief Executive
was welcomed officially by Governor
McSweeney on behalf Of the city and
banuueted at the Charleston Hotel,
while Mrs. Roosevelt was the centre
of interest Mt a brilliant though ex.
clusively feminine function at the st.
Johns. Mrs. Roosevelt and the women
OF her party occupied dais near the
southern end Of the room. and there
received the guests. who were intro.
duced by Mrs. Andrew Simonds. Jr..
Of this city. The reception began at
o o'clock and lasted Until after mid
night.
The banquet In honor Of President
Roosevelt, ut the Charleston Hotel.
was q fitting close to day full Of In
cidents, and serv Il to gather together
men prominent in the affairs OF the
State. The banquet hall was bower
of roses. pinks and smilax. and loosely
strewn over the tables were thousands
of violets. Over 800 guests were pres.
ent. In q short address Mayor Smytb
welcomed President Roosevelt to
Charleston. The Presidents response
was listened to with the closest at.
tention. and was interrupted at times
by loud and continuous applause.
President Roosevelt said he was
deeply touched by his greeting. He
referred to the progress Of South Caro-
Llama and continued:
And. gentlemen. was very glad
that In arranging for your exposition
you not only took In the Southern
States, but that you specially included
the Islands lying south Of the United
States, those islands with which the
events Of the last few years have
made 1t evident that we are bound IN
future to have closer relations. closer
relations for our advantage. and our
advantage can only be secured by
making It for their advantage also.
And about all chat I have said applies
to the greatest and richest OF those
islands, the island with which we have
been brought into the most peculiar
intimacy and relationship. the island OF
Cuba. And I ask that In our trade
relations with Cuba We give her
marked and substantial advantage.
not merely because it will rebound to
our interest to do so. but ask II es-
peciaily because the events have so
shaped themselves that 1t is our duty
as q great and mighty nation to help
Cuba. and I hope to see US do our
duty"
presidents Day" ut the exposition
was q gala day for Charleston.
President Roosevelt was officially
welcomed to the exposition grounds.
and In q speech, responding to
the addresses Of welcome. he
outlined his policy on all the prob
lens of vital interest to the country
at this time. He paid splendid tri6-
ute to the South and dwelt forcibly
upon the union of the Blue and the
Gray.
The day began with a parade through
the principal streets Of the city. Then
came the ceremonies ut the exposition
auditorium. the presentation OF the
sword by the President to Major Micah
jenkins. q luncheon ut the Woman'S
building. aud the inspection Of the
exposition grounds and buildings.
The parade was the most notable
ever seen in Charleston. The process.
sion moved from the st. Johns Hotel
promptly Mt 10 o'clock. The Presiden-
tial party was driven directly to the
exposition auditorium. where he re-
viewed the troops. The Presidents
salute of twenty-one guns was fired
by the German artillery on the en-
trance OF the President into the expo
sition grounds.
At noon the President proceeded from
the reviewing stand into the audito-
rum. and at once the formal cere-
monies Of welcome began.
Addresses We're made by Captain +.
". Wagner. President Of the South
Carolina Interstate and West Indian
Exposition Company; Governor Nc
Sweeney Of South Carolina, Governor
Aycock Of North Carolina and Mayor
Smyth Of Charleston.
The formal speech making over.
Major Micah jenkins stepped forward
and received from the Presidents hand
the beautiful souvenir sword.
At . o'clock the President and Mrs.
Roosevelt and suite were taken to the
WOman's building. where q luncheon
was served by the Woman's Board.
At $50 p. IN. the Presidential party
left for Summerville. suburb OF
Charleston. The Presidential train
arrived there shortly after O o'clock.
and the party were driven directly TO
the Pine Forest Inn.
At night a banquet vas rendered to
the President ut the Inn by Captain
Wagner. Only the Presidents party
and few especially invited guests.
numbering all told. ninety persons.
were present.
4 great crowd Of people was in the
city and much enthusiasm was shown
at the presence Of the President.