The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1902-11-21
Excitement
IN MEMPHIS
Roosevelt and General Wright Man.
age to Set Southern Town on
End Wednesday.
NEGROES Give FRANTIC RECEPTION.

Memphis, Tenn, Nov. 20.-Although
the festivities yesterday celebrated the
Homecoming Of Gen. Luke e. Wright.
vice governor Of the Philippines, 1t 10
no reflection upon the warmth of the
welcome extended to him to say that
President Roosevelt's presence was the
overshadowing feature Of the day
Excursion trains were run into tho
city and a number of distinguished
people were present to participate in
the celebration. Among them were
Gov. Benton Mcmillan and Gev. Jo-
seph Wheeler. The program was a
long one.
Immediately after the presidents
arrival there~was a parade through
the streets to the Gayoso hotel, where
breakfast was rendered to the pres
ident and Gen. Wright jointly by the
ladies Of Memphis. The local COM
mittee desired Gen. Wright to await
the presidents coming at the Gayoso
hotel, but the general vetoed the ar
rangement, and was the first to grasp
the presidents hand as he stepped
from the train.
In the afternoon the president at
tended and spoke at two receptions
given in honor of General Wright, one
at the auditorium by white citizens,
the other at a hall in tho black section
Of the city by the colored people.
Later there was colonial danes tes
at the Gayoso, and the festivities
closed with an elaborate banquet, at
which the president delivered a speech.
Including some brief remarks at the
breakfast, the president spoke four
times during the day. Altogether II
was a splendid tribute to the affection
and esteem in which General Wright
is held at home. That Mrs. Wright
is also exceedingly popular, was made
apparent by the applause which greet
ed 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 conferedate army under her
father, who was General Semmes.
II come here today to greet Gen.
Wright because it has been given to
him to render peculiar service to the
whole country" said he. There are
certain branches Of the public service
in which, IL we are wise and far see
ing, we will never allow partisan pol
itics to enter There must be no partiJ
san politics in the army or the navy
of the United States. All that con-
Germs us to know about any general
or admiral, about mighty captain by
sea or by land, is whether he is
thoroughly fit commander OF men and
loyal to the country as a whole. In
the same way, II we are wise, il we
care for our reputation abroad, II we
are sensitive of our honor at home.
we will allow no question of partisan
politics ever to enter into the admins
tration of the great commands, which
came under our flag as q result os the
war with Spain"
The reception rendered by the col
ored people was truly remarkable.
Gen. Wright earned their undying
gratitude during the two yellow fever
epidemics twenty years ago, by re-
naming here when most of the whites
had fed and seeing that the sick were
cared for. The hall was packed, gal
leries and pit, to the point Of suffoca-
ton and the whole spirit Of the pro-
ceedings breathed admiration for their
friend.
Gen. Wright, in addressing the COL
ored audience, talked chiefly on their
future, telling them OF the difficult
problems before them. He said that It
would perhaps have been better for
both races had the changes from
slavery to citizenship not come SO sud
denly.
The presidents reception beggars
description. The colored people be-
came almost frantic, jumping up and
down in their enthusiasm and yelling