New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-11-20
ROOSEVELT AT MEMPHIS.
THE PRESIDENT MAKES FOJH,
SPEECHES.
HE is CHEERED AS HE DEFENDS THE
ADMINISTRATION - RECEPTION To
GEN. AND MRS. LUKE E. WRIGHT.

OVerShdQOW1nS
day. Excursion trains were run into the city.
and number of distinguished men were here
to participate in the celebration Among them
were Governor Benton McNIillin and General
Joseph Wheeler Immediately after the Presi-
dents arrival there was a parade through the
streets to the Gayoso Hotel. where breakfast
was rendered the President and General Wright
jointly by the women of Memphis.
The President attended and spoke in the after
noon at two receptions given in honor OF Cen
era1 Wright. at the Auditorium by white
citizens. and the other by coIored- people Later
there was a Colonial Danes tea az the Gayoso
Hotel and the festivities closed tonight with
elaborate dinner. at which the President also
spoke Including brief remarks at the
breakfast. the President spoke four times dur
ing the day. Altogether. 1t a splendid
tribute to the affection and esteem in which
General Wright is held at home. Mrs. Wrtghts
popularity also evidenced by the applause
which greeted every reference to her. 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 Admiral Semmes.
Mayor Williams and Governor McNIiIlin made
addresses Of welcome and the audience was
very enthusiastic when General Wright delivered
his response. He was greatly touched by the
compliment paid him by the Presidents pres
ence and with the demonstration in his honor.
General 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 of an absolutely nOn-
partisan character. President Roosevelt had
not intended to speak at this reception. but the
assemblage would not be denied He said:
Mr. Chairman and you my Americans:
l glad, indeed to have the honor OF COM
ing to-day TO your beautiful city in your beautj
full State 10 greet on behalf of the whole cOun-
try a Tennesseean who has rendered hlgn anu
honorable service 10 the whole country TAP
lause)-a Tennesseean OF whom II can be
said, as il has been said OF the Greek hero,
Much has he seen and known, cities OF men
and manners, climates. councils governments,
himself not least but honored Of them all; has
drunk delight of battle with his peers, far on
| the reeling plains of windy Troy
| Tho memories of tbe Civil War are now her
/ itages of honor, alike for those whose fathers
| wore the blue and for those whose fathers wore
/ and not Inappropriate coincidence to-day: My
] mothers brother served under Mrs WT1ghts
father in the Confederate navy.
/ come here to-day to greet General Wright.
| because il has been given 10 him 10 render a
| peculiar service TO the whole country A man
| can render service of the very highest charac-
| ter home but. owing to the very nature OF
! our system OF government ne must IN MS elec-
| ton at least represent particularly a given
party. I say in his election at least, for after
| election. If he is worth anything. ne must be a
representative of the whole country. CApplauSe)
But there are certain branches of the pub
lie service in which. if We are wise and far
seeing. will never allow partisan politics
to enter There must be no partisan politics
in the army the navy of the United States.
All that concerns us TO know about any gen
eraI or admiral. about a mighty captain by sea
or by land, is whether he is a thoroughly Mt
commander of men and loyal to the country as
a whole. In the way, il We are wise.
if we care for our reputation abroad If we ara
sensible of our honor at home. will allow no
question of partisan politics ever TO enter into
the administration of the great commands
which came under our flag as result Of the
Hence. 7 say that General Wright like Gov
error Taft and his associates, has rendered a
peculiar service 20 every man Jealous OF the
honor Of the American name IN What ne mas
done in administering the Philippine Islands
For fourteen months IL has been part OF nv
business 10 how the work there was done
1 am not speaking eXagSeratingly I am
speaking literally, telling the bare, naked truth
when I say that never during that time. has a
question of party politics entered even into the
smallest action OF those in control OF the Philip
pine Islands.
Now my fellow Americans we cannot afford
to have the honor OF the nation in any way
snrched in connection with our dependencies.
We cannot afford TO have IL sntrched anywhere
If wrong ourselves here at home. we are "a
blame. and pay the penalty, but If we allow
wrong in connection with the islands. not only
the islands suffer. but an lnoehoie stlShna OF
shame comes to the American name am
earnestly desirouS that the administration OF the
Phillpplnc ISLANDS shali De pLI anu AePt upon
such a plane Of patriotic efficiency that no
change will be made in it owing to any change
of party here at home Party teehng should.
of course. stop at the waterline-
The fnestiuabe service rendered BY Governor
Wright in the Philippine Islands has been be-
cause he has 50 conducted the government OF
those islands as to make il not only of signal
benefit to the islands but of signal honor TO
every citizen of our country: that he has 50
handled himself that he has so handled the ad-
n>inistration of affairs, as to make US feel
iustifabIe confidence that thereafter the storms
of party politics in the United States shall never
touch the government of the Philippine Islands.
and that. whatever changes OF administration
there are here, in the Union, there shall not be
a ripple Of change in the course Of conduct IN
the Philippines marked out by Governor Wright
and his associates The man of whom that can
truthfully he said is a man entitled 10 honor
from his fellow Countrymen, and OF Governor
Wright II BE- truthfuly said
The reception rendered by the colored peopla
was an enthusiastic General Wright
earned their gratitude during the two yellow
fever epidemics twenty years ago by remaining
here when most of the whites had fled and see
ing that the sick were cared for. The hall was
packed galleries and pit. to the point of suf
location. and the whole spirit of the proceedings
breathed admiration for their friend.
General Wright in addressing the coIored
audience. talked chiefly of their future telling
them of the difficult problems before them. He
said that 1t would perhaps have been better for
both races had the change from slavery TO
citizenship not come suddenly.
~ hen the President came in the COIored peo-
pie became frantic, jumping up and down in
their enthusiasm and yelling themselves hoarse.
The President said,
Mr. Chairman General Wright and YOU. my
fellow citizens; am indeed glad 10 have been
here to witness and 10 share in your greeting
10 General Wright I can We'll understand how
inevitable II was that he should succeed in the
lOSL of high responsibility he has occupied out
side of country when he has had the char
acter that has entitled him the profound re-
md rd n a hiS cir