Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-11-20
BIC DAY At MEMPHIS
Honors to President and Gen.
Luke Wright.
GREATCROWDS PRESENT
THE PRESIDENT MADE FOUR
SPEECHES DURING THE DAY.
At a Banquet at Night He Reviewed
the Governments Policy in
the Philippines.

A dispatch from Memphis, Tenn, last
night says: Although the festivities today
celebrated the homecoming Of Gen. Luke E.
Wright, vice governor Of the Philippines, 1t
Is no reflection upon the warmth Of the
welcome extended to him that President
Roosevelt's presence was the oyershadow
ing feature of the day. Excursion trains
were run into the city, and a number of
distinguished people were present to partic-
ipate in the celebration. Among them were
Gov. Benton McMillin and Joseph Wheeler.
In the afternoon the President spoke at
two receptions given 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 colored people.
Later there was a Colonial Danes tea at
the Gayoso, and the festivities closed to-
night with an elaborate banquet, at which
the President delivered a speech.
President Spoke Four Times.
Including some brief remarks at the
breakfast, the President spoke four times
during the day. Altogether, it was splen-
did tribute to the affection and esteem in
which Gen. Wright is held at home. That
Mrs Wright is also exceedingly popular
was made apparent 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 was Admiral
Semmes.
Mayor Williams and Gov. McMillin made
addresses of welcome, and the audience
was very enthusiastic when Gen. Wright
delivered his response. He was greatly
touched by the compliment paid him by the
Presidents presence and with the demon
stration in his honor.
Gen. Wright did not go deeply in the stu
alton in the Philippines in his remarks, but
he emphasized the fact that the admins
tration of the islands under both Presidents
Mckinley and Roosevelt had been of an
absolutely non-partisan character. Presi-
dent Roosevelt had not intended to speak
at this reception but the assemblage would
not be denied.
Program at the Banquet.
There were 200 guests at the banquet, the
attendance being limited to that number
Gov LONGING of Mississippi Travelled from
jackson to be present Albert s. Caldwell
acted as POSTMASTER.
General Wright sat on the right and Pres
ident Roosevelt the left of the toast
master. Great enthusiasm greeted Gen.
Wright when he rose to speak. His glow
ing tributes to the late President Nc
Kinley and to President Roosevelt for
their lofty policies in regard to the ad-
m1nistration Of the Philippines were loudly
applauded. He also took occasion to laud
the work of Secretary Root, and said the
criticism of the army and navy was unjust.
There might have been isolated cases Of
cruelty deserving censure, but the cases
We're the exception, not the rule. On the
whole, he said, the war was conducted In
a most humane manner. The alleged fric-
ton between the civA and military govern
ment, he said, had been greatly exag-
gerated. r..
The Fflipinos, he asserted, could never
govern themselves without being taught to
do so. He thought Congress was going too
fast, rather than too slow Their interests,
at present, could be subserved by non
partisan administration of their affairs such
as existed today.
He said he himself did not know whether
there were more republicans or democrats
in the civil service in the islands. He said
he desired to bear testimony to the fact
that neither President Roosevelt nor his
predecessor had attempted to try to dictate
appointments to the civil service in the
Philippines
President Roosevelt received an ovation
when he was introduced with the state
ment that he held the respect and admlra-
ton of the people Of the country, without
regard to political affiliations. The entire
assemblage arose and fully minute made
the banquet hall ring with cheers
The President's Sneech