The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-10-24
President Says Panama Canal is Sure to be Dug and
 That Speedily
URGES NEED FOR EFFICIENT
 AND WELL TRAINED NAVY
Political Difficulties Sink Into InslgnIfl- canoe When Compared With Stand ards of Courage, Honesty
 and Common Sense.

Mobile. october 2S.-That peace hath her victories no less renowned than war, was never better exemplifed than by the welcome accorded Theodore Roosevelt, President of the United States, during his two hours stay in the historic city of Mobile this evening.
 There was general closing of all busl- ness housas and along the route of the procession from the union depot to the stand on Blenyille square, where the reception ceremonies took place the resi- dences and stores were covered with dec- orations of lights, and bunting in the national colors The route lay out Govern ment street, one of the most noted drives In the south for ten blocks. passing the homes of some of Mobiles most infu- ential citizens, her chief educational in- sttution, the Barton academy and one of her historic churches. the Government Street Presbyterian.
 Received With Great Applause. The stand was erected on Blenville square, facing the square, which long before the President arrived was filled with a struggling crowd of citizens from
 
 electric lights and overhead the magnin- cent grove of Live Oaks formed canopy of green. It Is estimated that by the time the President began ris address there was crowd numbering 10000 people within the sound of his voice. The President l reached the stand at clock, where he was received by a raceptiou committee of 500 representative citizens amid the ap- l plause of the popuace
 He appeared to be overwhelmed with pleasure at the spontaneity of his reeep- tion and stood in his carriage and bowed right and left His seat was on an ele- vated dais. in chair which was built by the students of technical school in Ja- pan instituted and largely supported by the Mikado. This chair is elegantly carved from piece of mahogany and the 1 two arms represent the dragon of Japan. Back Of the chair was an enormous stuffed bear, eight feet tall, bearing in its claws floral independence bell and above Its head a white dove holding a streamer which was the inscription. "Blessed Is the Peacemaker" The bear was killed In hunting expedition by his , majesty, Alexander IL of Russia, Febr,l- ary Il to 23 1857, according to the in- scription on bronze plate on the mount ing, and presented by Czar Alexander to '"rhe Duke of Osuma, Comte L'Ynfan- tando, Duke de Buenevito and l.. Arcos
 
 became extinct in the eighties. and the effects in the palace of the prince were disposed of by public sale. The historic bear was purchased at the sale by Hon. Hannis Taylor. then minister plenipoten- tiary and ambassador of the United States at the Spanish court at Madrid
 Semmes Presents Souvenir Badqe.
 Hon. Oliver J. Semmes son of the great Confederate Admiral Raphael semmes. then presented to the President and pinned upon the lapel of his coat a handsome souvenir badge as the gift of the people of Mobile. This badge consists of a heavy cross bar of eighteen-karat gold, inscribed Mobile Ala.," from which is suspended by a heavy gold chain gold scroll bar upon which the inscription Is Blessed Is the Peacemaker." Beneath the second bar there Is beautiful mag nolia in full bloom, artistlcaly enameled in white, and resting on green magnolia leaves enameled in true colors. the whole resting on a background of white silk ribbon.
 Shades of Evening Falling. When President Roosevelt rose to re- spond the applause was deafenng for several seconds. The shades of evening were falling and the glow of the my riads of electric lights and emblems added to the scene
 The President said:
 T cannot sufficiently express my appre- citation of the magnificent greeting that you have given me today. The man could be but a poor American who could meet you here, my fellow citizens, without being stirred and feeling that he must even more than before strive to do all that in him lies for our common country. l know that the rest of you will not grudge my saying that most of all I am touched by the sight of men who wore the gray. in the great war. parading here today.
 'I have just been presented by Judge Semmes with a beautiful badge I passed by the statue of Admiral Semmes as we drove up hither. Admiral Semmes had under him on the Alabama one of my un- cles and 1t was another uncle that built the Alabama. The judges sister, the ad- mirals daughter. Is the wife of that dis tinguished ex-Confederate, who. by his rule governor of the Philippines, has held aloft the record of American rule for integrity efficiency and firmness.
 About the Panama Canal.
 Tn speaking before the citizens of this great seaport of the Gulf. I naturally wish to say a word about the Panama canal. l hold that as a matter of public policy whatever helps part of our country helps the whole. And I did my best to bring about the construction of the cana, m the interest or all our people But If there was any one section to be most benefited by 1t. it is the section that in- cludes the gulf states. Originally. I had been for the Nicarauga canal. but when Congress acted I abode by the decision of Congress. It became evident that we should either have no canal or the Pan- anna canal. and am for a canal If we had not acted as we have acted 4ii chance of building the canal would have vanished for half century to come And ns it is we are now assured of hay. ing that canal within comparatively short time.
 "Gentlemen, I want to warn you not to