Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1906-11-24
The PRESIDENT
IN PORTO RICO
Was Warmly Welcomed BY Officials
and Natives Everywhere.
CROSSED ISLAND In AUTOS

Ponce. Porto Rico. Nov. 22.-PreSf
/ dent Roosevelt arrived here from Co
/ lon on board the battleship Louisiana
/ lie was visited on board the vessel by
I Governor Winthrop. who extended q
i welcome To the island. The president
/ Mt once came ashore and was greeted
/ AZ the pier by Mayor Opponheimcr. OF
/ POPnce and delegation of prominent
/ oil ials and citizens The town. which
was proiuscly decorated in the presi
dents honor was crowded with PEG
pie from the surrounding country ea.
ger to greet Mr. Roosevelt.
In spite of the early hour the land
Ing place was crowded with an OK
pectant thrnng. many OF whom had
been in their places all night, to wit
ness the incoming of the Louisiana. IS
the president stepped ashore the crowd
checred him. crying: viva el presi'
dcnte"
When the greetings were over the
president accompanied by Governor
Winthrop was driven to the city hall,
| Mrs Winthrop and Mrs. Roosevelt fol.
lowing The president was kept busy
acknowledging cheers all along the two
mile line of march from the landing
place to the principal plaza of the
town. At the entrance to the plaza
a huge arch had been erected from
which little girls threw flowers to both
the president and Mrs. Roosevelt as
they passed.
Ponce was in gala attire, tie Amcri.
can colors being interspersed with
Spanish flags
At the city hall an address OF wei
/ come was read to the president. He
delivered his reply from the balcony
of the building addressing the largest
crowd that had ever assembled IN
Ponce The president said in part
81 shall continue to use every effort
to secure citizenship for Porto Rico
am confident this will come in tho
end and all that can personally do
to hasten that day will do. My Of
/ forts will be unceasing to help You
along the path Of true self govern
ment. which must have for its basis n
union of order. liberty. justice and
honor.
In conclusion the president said:
g! salute you from by heart as fellow
citizens"
The reference to citizenship brought
out cnthusiastics applause from the
people
BEFORE leaving Ponce the presiden:
I a "a Df.nunHntt
school Here several hundred school
| children had been assembled and
sang America as the president drove
up The corner stone OF this school
was laid in April 1903. by the presi
dents daughter. now Mrs. LongwortE
The president was greatly pleased
with his reception AT the school and
made short address He was show
cred with flowers by the children as
| he drove away.
Mrs Roosevelt was presented with
a beautiful piece OF embroidered work
the handwork of the girls OF the in
1 dustrial school. before she left the
I city.
The presidential party left Ponce
at 1890. the time set by the schedule.
| for the run To San Juan over the fam
| Gus military road. Eleven automobiles
conveyed the party. Stops OF three
minutes each were made at Juana
Diaz Coamo and Aibonito Az each
place the president was welcomed by
the mayor and spoke briefly from his
automobile.
Passing through the Caguas and the
| Caey tobacco district where Amcri
can capital has worked a wonderful
development. the president was great
| ~ impressed with the fertility and
hourishing condition of the planta
tons At Caguas Mrs. Roosevelt was
showered with flowers and received
many presents Between towns alons
the military road scattering crowds
cage :, awaited the chance OF fleet
Ing glimpse OF the president People
| from the outlying plantations. some
on foot from the mountain districts
miles away poems women. children,
bcgears. cripples all came To pay
their respects Many OF the occupants
| Oh iNt AIAshS Whb were AoO pun "
own even flag showed their pa.
triotism by loudly cheering the presi
dent. whom they seemed TO recognize
quickly
Arriving at the original entrance to
the city of San Juan where formerly
stood the old city hall and gate. a huge
arch had been erected by the city. and
here Mayor Todd and the city officials
extended their welcome to the presi.
dent
lie responded in a brief speech and
was then escorted by the Porto Rico
provisional regiment to the governors
palace The city was deliberately dec.
Grated every American flag available
being used to the best advantage.
| President Roosevelt was in happy
mood and bowed and waved his hands
To the cheering throngs.
Protest Against TilIman's Lecture.
Chicago. Nov. al Protest against
the delivery OF an address IN Chicago
by Senator benjamin Tillman was