The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-10-31

Wnlte, VINO Fought the good fight as
the governments representative
against the fever, together with all his
surgeons in full uniform, officers of
the army and navy; Mayor Behrman,
and leading federal. state and city Off
Gals.
It was just 8 O'Clock when the rain
ran into the docks and there was an
enthusiastic demonstration from tho
steamer as the President left the train
and walked 10 the ship.
The Genus headed up stream and ran
a few miles above the city, then turned
down, passing along the whole front
of New Orleans Going down as far
as Port Chalmette, the Conus headed
back to the city.
AS the vessel neared thep Harrison
Steel Sheds, afiame with patriotic col
nr, the air was rent with the blasts OF
steam WHISTLES and the thunder Of a
presidential salute. The President
looked out Oh a sea of people gathered
up the river front to greet him.
SCENES OF WILD ENTHUSIASM.
When the boat landed the President
was escorted ashore, and the parade
got under way under the general mar
shaiship of Colonel John z. Sullivan.
The Confederate Veterans held the
right of the line, followed by the sons
Of veterans and the SpaniSh-American
war veterans.
On the streets the scenes were al
most the same rs those during the car
niyal season. The weather was ideal,
and though there still exist some quar-
antines, thousands of citizens of LOU
isiana and Mississippi had poured into
New Orleans 20 swell the local popu-
lation in a twin celebration of the
Presidents visit, and the triumph Of
science over the fever scourge. Never
before has New Orleans been more
deliberately decorated. From every
store and residence along the two
niles of the route there blaZed the ia
miIiar red, white and blue in graceful
festOon about the well Known features
of the guest of the day. The flag of
the nation flew everywhere while thou
sands of men who had voted against
hfm wore tlIe Presidents picture in the
lapels of their coats.
The route of the procession lay down
one side of Canal to Claiborne, thence
Rack Over the other side to Camp, mp
Camp to Calliope and thence down st.
Charles past the Lee monument to the
city hall.
GREETED BY THOUSANDS OF
NEGROES.
While it could not be arranged to set
aside n portion of the programme es-
pecially for the negro race, it had been
provided that the colOred population
cho,II ~Ifho. II, canal Sfrsaot hnfWQpn
Liverty and Claiborne. There the
IroQuOis, the exclusive negro social
club of New Orleans is located. All
the men of high standing of the race
were gathered here on a broad plat
form erected in front of the building
together with the negro school chill
dren. The four squares there was a
solid mass Of colored people. AS the
President appeared they gave way to
their emotions, and the Presidents
pleasure was mirrored in his smiling
face.
One of the most stirring scenes of the
day was that presented at Lee monu-
ment. From it's apex there ran broad
streamers of red, white and blue, while
on the broad circular mound hat sup
ports the marble column on which
stands the heroic figure of the military
commander whose genius the President
has so frequently testified there were
gathered 1000 of the public school
children of the city, each provided with
Il tiny American flag.
AN UNCOMFORTABLE MOB.
Long before the parade had neared
the city hall, the people began to con-
gregate there and such a dense, immov-
able crowd was never before seen in
this city of unusual crowds. They
damned right up to the city hall gal
lery, and blocked the way for the pa
rade. Half a hundred policemen,
mounted and on foot, labOred for an
hour to MAKE a clear space so that the
Presidents carriage could come up to
the entrance. but it was impossible,
though many heads were cracked in
the effort, and dozens Of o~bstrepous
persons were thrown in jail.
The moment the President was re-
cognized a tremendous cheer went up,
and the crowd, densely packed as 1t
was surged forward and threatened
t crush in part of the grandstand.
Then the President realized that an
aSClOCu was oAAu IL tNO
crowd was not soon dispersed, there
might be serious trouble. He urged
Mayor Behrman to introduce him I'M
mediately, which was done simply,
though the mayors voice was droW1-
ed in the hubbub.
The President climbed up on the
railing before which he was to speak,
supported by the mayor, though he
kept his balance admirably. He 2
ed his hand to the crowd and the en-
thusiasm broke forth with redoub.ed
vigor. He urged crowd to keep still
and called their attention to the fact
that many women were caught in the
jam, and might be injured. Each ut
terance of his, though, unheard by the
mass Of humanity. evoked a cheer and
waving of handkerchiefs and parasols
and then the President tried to de-
liver a short speech. 1t was impossible
and he realized the futility of it.