The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-10-27

Mobile. Ala. October 24.-An Mo-
bile tonight lent itself to the reception
of President Theodore Roosevelt.
There was general closing of all bust
ness houses. and along the route OF
the procession from the union station
to the stand on Bienville Square.
where the reception ceremonies took
place. residences and stores were COW
cred with decorations of lights and
bunting in the national colors.
The route was out Government
street. one of the most beautiful drives
in the south for ten blocks. passing the
homes of some of Mobiles most in
f1uential citizens. her chief education
al institutions. and one of her historic
churches. The side walks and streets
along Government street were packed
with humanity. and at McGill Insti-
tute. Barton academy n one or w
other points. hundreds of school chill
dren were massed. singing national
songs as the procession passed.
Cheer. after cheer welcomed the
nations chief.
The procession was headed by a
platoon of police. followed by Colonel
r. b. DumOnt of the First regimen.
Alabama national guard and his staff.
with the Mobile battalian following.
Two companies or artillery from Fort
Morgan followed the National Guard.
and then came the cadets of the uni
Versity military school. Behind the
boys came battle Scared Confederate
veterans as a guard of honor. then the
President in whose carriage were seat
ed Judge Jules Afford. chairman of
the committee on arrangements. May
or P. J. Lyons and Colonel Edward
LAFAYETTE Russell. Following come the
members of the Presidents party n
members of the arrangement and the
reception committee. and mmbers of
the press in carriages.
40, 900 Persons Greet the President.
A stand was erected in. Bienville
Square which. when the President ar
rived was filed with 100000 citizens
The area was brilliant with electric
lights. while live oak formed a n
py of green.
The President reached the stand at
5 o'clock where he was received by a
reception committee of five hundred
citizens. His seat was on an elevated
dais in a chair which was built by the
students of a technical school in ia
pan. Back of the chair was an enor-
nous stuffed bear. eight feet tall.
bearing in it's mouth a floral indepen-
dence bell. and above it's head a white
dove holding a streamer. on which
was the inscription. blessed is the
Peace Maker"
The bear was killed in a hunting
expedition by his majesty. Alexander
II. of Russia in 1857. according to the
inscription on a brOnz plate on the
base of the mounting and was present
ed by Car Alexander to THE Duke of
Osuma. Comte PYnfantando. Duke de
Buenevito n IOrcOs. Prince dEbo-
die" The house of Ebodie became ex-
tinct in the eighties. and the effects in
the palace of the prince were disDos-
ed of by public sale. The bear was
purchased by Hannis TAYLOR. then
minister of the United States at Mad
rid.
A Souvenir of Mobile.
Oliver J. Semmes. son of the on
federate admiral. Raphael Semmes.
then presented to the President IL
pinned on the lapel of his coat a hand
some souvenir badge as the gift of the
people of Mobile.
In delivering the badge. Judge Sem
mes said:
Mr.. President:
IT ask your attention for a moment.
I have been delegated by the people
of Mobile to present to you this token.
a symbol of their fealty as citizens of
the United States. Though itself OF
little inStrinSic value yet in sentiment
it represents the loyalty. the worth
and the honor of as brave. chivalrlc
and noble a people as is to be found
on the face of Gods green earth. we
proud citizens of a proud republic.
feel and believe Ia you as the head
of that republic will by your broad
views and iudicious actions so unite
in bonds of friendship all sections or
our loved country. that Americans Will
advance. till they become the foremost
of nations and may without a misglV-
ing defy a world in arms. Should this
awful necessity ever arise. then the
sons of the south Will be found a
mighty armed camp.
take this little reminder and when
YOU look upon it amid your
and multifarious duties. feel and know
hat the people of Mobile have buried
the past and look without fear to the
future. recognizing that YOU. as is
shown by your later utterances are the
President of the North and South. our
whole country
MAYOR Lyons Speech of Welcome.
Judge Afford. chairman of the COM
mittee on ARRANGEMENTS then intro
d,1ced the President who was briefly
and warmly welcomed by Mayor ?. j..
LYONS who Maid high tribute to him
as a man. statesman n patriot. n
formal welcome was then delivered py
Colonel E. LAFAYETTE Russell, VINO
said:
Your coming among us has been
a source of inspiration to u people.
who are familiar with your record as