The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-10-24
PRESIDENT
SPEAKS IN
ALABAMA

Mobile, Ala. oct. 24-All Mobile lent
welt during his two hours stay in Mobile
this evening. There was general closing
OF all business houses, and along the
route OF the procession from the Union
station to the stand at Blenville square,
where the ceremonies took place. resi-
dences and stores were covered with deco
~ratIons OF lights n bunting in the ma
tionaT colors.
After the usual formalities and greet
ings tho president rose 10 speak. He was
greeted with cheers which lasted several
minutes. He said in part:
II cannot sufficiently express my APP
probation OF the magnificent greeting
that you have given me today. The man
would be but a poor American who could
meek you here, my fellow citizens, without
being stirred and feeling that he must
even more han before strive 10 do all
that In him lies for our common country.
] know that the rest OF you will not
grudge my saying that most OF all l am
touched by the sight OF men who wore
the gray in the great parade here today.
Il have just been presented by Judge
Semmes with a beautiful badge. ] passed
by the statue or Admiral Semmes as we
drove upon hither. Admiral Semmes had
under him on the Alabama one of my
uncles, and IL was another uncle who built
the Alabama. The judges sister, the
admirals daughter. Is the wife OF hat
distinguished ex-Confederate who by his
rule as governor OF the Philippines has
held aloft the record of American rule
for integrity, efficiency and irmness.
The last time l came through this
beautiful, historical city OF yours I was
going with my " regiment 10 the Span
ish war, n I'm that regiment / think
there were more men whose fathers wore
the gray than there were men whose
fathers wore the blue. But they marched
in the spirit symbolized by you march
ing today, carrying the United States
flag, for they recognized but one spirit
OF emulation. the emulation to strive
which could do most for the flag of our
common country.
In speaking before the citizens OF this
great seaport OF the Gulf. I naturally
wish TO say a word about the Panama
canal. i hold that as a matter OF public
policy whatever helps part OF our coun-
try helps the whole. And l did my best
10 bring about the construction of the
canal in the interest OF all our people.
But II there was any one section to be
most benefited by IL, IL is the section that
include the Gulf states. Originally I
was for the Nicaraguan canal, but when
congress acted | abidcd by the decision
Of congress. II -hecamn-n&4daAt+Aa1we
should either have no canal or the Pana-
ma canal. and l am for n canal III we
had not acted as we have, all chance OF
building that canal would nave vanished
for half a century TO come, and as il is
we are now assured Of having that canal
within a comparatively shore time.
Gentlemen. l want to warn you not
10 be misled by interested clamor. Every
man who had to do with bringing about
the construction OF the canal knows that
for decades il was opposed and success
fully opposed by great commercial inter-
ests. which did not wish 10 see IL COM
pleted. and did not wish TO see n canal
speedily dug through the isthmus and
communication between the Atlantic and
Pacific speedily established.