The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-04-30
FAREWELL TO GEN. PALMA
Ovation at Central Valley Prior to His
Departure For Cuba.
OLD Ne!GHBORS MOVED TO TEARS

to the Veteran Patriot-His Anectina
Lsave.fakinr-cuba's First Presidenf
Predicts tho Establishment Of Cordial
Relations With the United states.
New York City.-General 7. Estrada
Palma. President-elect Of the Cupan
Republic. came to this city from his
home In Central Valley. He left by
rail for Norfolk. Va. where he sailed
for Cuba on the steamship Admiral
Farracut to assume the duties OF the
frs, Executive Of the new Cuban Re
public.
President Palma has not been In
Cuba for twenty eight years. and his
wife. who Is a native Of Honduras,
Central America. and his six children
have never yet set foot on Cuban soil
He will assume the duties OF his office
on May 20.
It Is In Central Valley that General
Palma has made his home for the past
eighteen years. and there five Of his SIX
children were born. in rambling old
white house, set In grove OF veneer
able willows. half way up the side OF
n hill on the outskirts OF the village
He has been so long resident OF the
place. and to such an extent has he
wor the deep regard Of his nelglibors
and friends. that practically every one
in the village turned out to participate
in the warm.hearted demonstration of
farewell and wish Estrada" as they
call him there. God speed In his new
iabors.
AT m early hour the little place was
astir. A procession formed. In which
every one took part. and marched to
General Palma's house. The village
band headed 1t. followed by all the
school children. carrying Cuban and
American flags. the main body OF the
citizens and the Fire Department. with
their apparatus. In front Of the Gen
erals house the band played the Bay
amO hymn. the anthem OF General Pal
mas native province. and then they es
corted him to the village square. All
the houses along the line OF march dis
played Cuban flags.
There the little formal demonstration
of parting took place, and many Of bis
old neighbors were moved to tears
Every person In the village passed and
shook hands with General Palma. lrv
ing Washburn. who was spokesman
for the villagers. said:
"As you take up your new task 70,
Cuba. We ask for her and for you the
blessing and the protection Of Him
who guideth the destinies Of men anc
Of nations.
"Our hearts, our hopes. are all with
thee;
Our hearts. our hopes. our prayers, ow
tears,
Our faith triumphant Ger our fears,
Are all with thee"
I'VE are come to attend you with the
strains of martial music and the wav
ing Of flags-your flag and ours. GOO
grant they ever thus float In unison"
General Palma was much affected
by the deep sincerity Of the words OF
his old friend. With faltering voice
he replied:
ment my position Is a very peculiar
one. I have lived here eighteen years
and considered myself not a neIghboi
or friend. but brother to every one
Of you. do not know how to express
my feeling Of gratitude to you. am
obliged to 60 to my native country tC
discharge the duties I am called to as,
sumo. You may be assured that rs !
80 leave portion Of my soul In Cen.
tral Valley.
II hope this feeling and kindred sen
timent will be Of a kind to link to.
gether my country and the United
States. pray that the Almighty may
shower all His blessings and bounty
upon this valley"
Before leaving Central Valley Gen
eral Palma gave what he called val.
edictory review. He said:
II am going TO my native country.
which I am delighted to see again af.
ter so many years. Moreover. I returp
to a free country. State in which the
people are to enjoy the blessings OF
self-government. The American peo.
pie know that I am heartily grateful
for their hospitality. and for the hearty
sympathy shown for the Cuban cause
and the help for the independence OF
the island. am sure that the people
Of Cuba will show by the high charac
ter and tone Of the government they
will establish and maintain that they
nre worthy Of the sympathy and hele
they have received from the American
people. am certain also that do not
need to make any efforts to establish
most cordial and successful relations
o! Friendship between my people and
the paople Of the United States. The
feeling among the Cuhans Is already
spontaneous and does not need to be
aroused. Cuba feels the warmest
friendship for this country.
. For Cuba's future I have the great.
est OF hopes. Her future. l believe.
Will be very bright. The people are
naturally orderly and peaceful. They
are also an industrious people. and
anxious to prove that they are worthy
to rule themselves. think that they
VIII demonstrate that fact to the salts.
faction OF all who are interested In
their welfare"