Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-10-27

scented the President to the multitude
in the square.
Long before the parade had neared
tbs, City hall the people began to con-
grcgate there and such a dense, immov-
able crowd was never before seen in
this city OF annual crowds. They pack
ed Lafayette square from Camp street
clear up to the City hall on st. Charles
street, and up and down st. Charles
street it was the same jam just as far
as the eye could reach. The jammed
right up to the City hall gallery and
blocked the way for the parade. Half
a hundred policemen, mounted and on
foot, labored for an hour to make a
clear space so that the Presidents car
rage could come up to the entrance but
it was impossible, though many heads
were cracked in the effort and dozens
of obstreperOus persons were thrown in
Jail.
The moment the President was rec
OgniZed u tremendous cheer went up
and the crowd, densely packed as it
was, surged forward and threatened to
crush in part of the grandstand. The
President realized that an accident was
imminent and if the crowd was not
soon dispersed, there might be serious
trouble. He urged Mayor Behrman to
introduce him Immediately which was
done simply, though the mayors voice
was drowned in the hubbub. The
President climbed up on the railing be-
fore which he was to speak, supported
by the mayor, though he kept his ball
ance admirably. He waved his hand
to the crowd and the enthusiasm broke
forth with redoubled vigor.
He urged the crowd to keep still. and
called attention to the fact that many
women were caught in the lam and
might be injured. Each utterance of
his though unheard by the mass of
humanity, evoked a cheer and waving
Of handkerchiefs and parasols and then
the President tried to deliver short
speech II was impossible and he real
lied the futilty Of it.
When the President was introduced
by the mayor, the enthusiasm was in
describable and the President with
difficulty began his speech.
There seem to be two or three peo-
pie in the Streets" he started, when a
voice interrupted with the question:
Did you have this crowd in Little
Rock"
That's all right" answered the Pres
iGent. stay right there now" he
added. addressing the crowd, which was
beyond control.
The mayor attempted to secure 81
fence and the President began again:
MY fellow countrymen: Give me a
chance"-Whercat there was a tremen-
dous roar Of applause and a voice
shouted: I'VE will give you one and
we will give You another"
Again the President started.
MY fellow countrymen, l appreciate
more than l can say this greeting, and
il is beyond the power of any human
being 10 acknowledge it by speaking,
for You could not hear him, Great ap-
plauSe).
"And now you have shown such ex-
tra1rdinary qualities throughout this
dreadful summer that l want you to
show your capacity for self-government
Tremendous cheering) and that means
don't jam. daughter and applause).
"And l want the crowd-I want You
all to open out. 1 am only going to
wish YOU well, and then 1 am going to
go on, because you can't possibly hear
me ard you already see me, Great APP
plause), and that's all that's open to
u.s.
The President admonished the crowd
to give way lest the women and child
rem might be injured in a panic and
SAID he was going away at which there
were cries to him to stay.
"a iiant incictal thot fhnra u-o
danger that someone, especially the
women and children. might be hurt and
that he would not attempt to speak
further. Then he said:
Il only want to say that I will make
a longer speech, later, but do want to
say how grateful am for your coming
out and how grateful l am TO the
sacred veterans of the great war and
my own comrades of the small war.
and 1 want to thank the National
Guard of Louisiana, cavalry, infantry,
artillery and the naval militia. 1 am
proud of them and it is a pleasure to
see them. today. Now / am going away
and all of you be good and go home"
There was tremendous roar from
the crowd as the President disappeared
INTO the mayors hall. When he reach
ed there he said he was worn out and
that he desired a short rest at his hotel.
The ovation given the President
throughout the parade. today, sur
passed anything Of the kind ever seen
in New Orleans. There was scarcely a
moment when the President maintained
his seat in the carriage. For two miles
he stood bowling on either side to the
cheering throng.