Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-10-24
TWO HOURSN MOBILE
President Given Another Ovation at Ne.
trOpSlis Of Alabama.
FORTY THOUSAND HEAR HIS SPEECH
Cheering Multitude Lines the Long Drive
Through the City.
SOUVENIR FOR THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE
Badge from People of Mobile Pinned to His
Coat BY Judge semmeS.
FORMAL WEI COME RY col 0NFl RllSSFIl
OUvESlH FOR THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE
FORMAL WELCOME BY COLONEL RUSSELL
Mr.. Roosevelt In His speech Refers
to Men who Are Attempting to
Delay Building of Panama
Canal.

MOBILE, Ala, Oct. 2s-That peace hath
her victories no less renowned than war
was never better exemplifed than in the
reception of President Theodore Roosevelt
during his two hours stay in Mobile this
evening. There was a general closing
Of all business houses, and along the route
Of the procession, from the Union depot
to the stand on Benville square, where
the reception ceremonies took place, the
residences and stores were covered with
decorations 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 influential
citizens. its chief educational institution
and one of its histric churches. The
sidewalk and streets along Government
street were packed with humanity. and at
McGill institute Barcon academy and one
or two other points. hundreds OF children
were massed, who sang national anthems
and songs the procession passed. Cheer
after cheer rent the air.
The procession was headed by a platoon
of police followed by Colonel R. B. Dumoni
of the Alabama National Guard and stan,
with the Mobile battalion following. Two
battalions OF artillery from Fort Morgan
followed and then the cadets OF the Uni
versty military school. Behind the young
boys came the battle-scarred veterans OF
Raphael Semmes and John M. Withers
camps, Union Confederate veterans, as a
guard of honor to the president. in whose
carriage were seated Judge Jules Afford.
chairman of the committee on arrange
ments; Mayor p. J. Lyons and Colonel
Edward Lafayette Russell.
Forty Thousand Hear Speech.
Next came the members of the presi-
dents party and members of the arrange
ment and reception committees and the
press in carriages. The stand was erected
on Bienville square. facing the square.
which, long before the president arrived,
was filled with a struggling crowd OF citi-
zens. 1t was brilliant with electric lights,
and overhead the magnificent grove of live
oaks formed canopy of green. II is es-
timated that by the time the president be-
ganshis address, there Yas Fr0wd NUM-
bering 5000 people within the sound OF
his voice. The president reached the
! stand at o'clock. where he was received
! by reception committee of 500 citizens.
He appeared to he overwhelmed with
| pleasure at the spontaneity of his recep-
tion. His seat was on an elevated dais on
chair which was built by the students
OF technical school in Japan. Back OF
| the chair was an enormous stuffed bear.
| eight feet tall bearing in its mouth a
floral independence bell. and above its
head a white dove holding a streamer on
which was the inscription: BLESSED is the
! peacemaker."
The bear was killed in a hunting expedl-
| ton by his majesty. Alexander II. OF Rus
sia in 1857. according to the inscription on
a bronze plate on the base OF the mount
ing, and presented by Car Alexander TO
| TO,tEa OF Xaf
ando. Duke de Buenevito and L'Arcos
! Prince D'Ebodie ="
| The house OF Ebodie 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
this sale by Hannis Taylor. then minister
plenipotentlary and ambassador OF the
United States at the Spanish court at
Madrid.
Handsome Present for President.
oliver ]. Semmes. son OF the confederate,
Admiral Rafael Semmes then presented TO
the president and pinned upon the lapel OF
his coat handsome souvenir badge as the
gift of the people Of Mobile.
In delivering the badge Judge semmes
said
Mr.. President / ask your attention for
a moment. have been delegated by the
RseR gmbo 9g Of Re feay 70 as SS 1hs
OF the United States. Though itself OF
little intrinsic value, yet In sentiment II
honor of as brave, chivalrous and noble
people as is to be found on the face OF
proud republic feel and believe that you,
as the head OF that republic Will by your
in the bonds OF friendship All ends of our
country that Americans Will advance TIL
they become the foremost OF nations, and
may without misgiving defy a world In
| arms Should this awful necessity ever
rise, then the of the south will be
little reminder and when You look upon it
amid your arduous and multifarous duties
feel and know that the people of IN Mobile @
10 the future, recognizing that you as Is
shown by your later utterances are the
whole country.
Address of welcome.
Judge Afford. chairman OF the committee
on arrangements. then introduced the pre0i-
dent. who was briefly and warmly welcomed
by Mayor Lyons. who paid high tribute TO
him as a man, as statesman and patriot.
The formal welcome was then delivered by
Colonel Edward lafayette Russell. one OF
the foremost citizens OF Mobile and Ala
hama, who said
Your coming among US has been a source
OF inspiration 10 our people, who are famil-
lar with your record as a soldier and a
tions have given them .confldence in your
sincerity Of purpose and patriotism. Since
YOU have been president you have demon
strated by your administration Of our fed
eral affairs that you are loyal ana devoted
TO our free institutions coined out OF The
blood, sacrifice and treasure OF our ances-
ters Such Is the faith OF our people in
you a a patriot that they believe you would
endager fhe sacred trust that has been con-
hded 10 your patriotic keeping.
President speaks.
! President Roosevelt was eheered as he
arose 10 speak. lie thanked the people for
. their magnificent reception and spoke special
words OF greeting to the confederate veter-
' ans, who formed a portion Of his escort.
He referred TO the fact that one OF his
unces was in Alabama during the civil war
Referring TO the Panama canal the pres.
ident said he did his best 70 bring about
, its completion for the benefit Of the whole
people. but particularly for the benefit Of
the gulf states Originally, he said. he