The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1907-10-11

children singing and enthusiastic mel
shouting the slogan of deep waterways
Memphis threw wide her gates today
70 the president of the United States, .
score Of governors and many other dis
Linguisbcd pcrsonages from the state
in the fertile Mississippi valley.
Assembled in The Lakcs.tothc-Guli
convention city was the most notable
gathering Of public men which ever ba.
been secti with the possible exception oi
congress ia Washington,
This fact in itself demonstrated the
vital importance Of the deep waterways
plan an undertaking which is of SUI,
pFenc moment to every state between
the Rockies and the Allcglrnic4, and
from the Canadian border TO the Gulf
Of Mexico. In this cause there are nu
party lines aud never will be. The
guests OF the city wgr chosen, not for
what they had been in politics, but for
what they arc doing for the benefit OF
the Mississippi valley.
1t was tttlnE that Memphis should
be the convention city. for no other in
the entire valley will benefit more from
the completion Of the l4.foot channel.
And, therefore, it was a fitting rcccp.
ton which Memphis extended to her
friends.
Despite the fnin storm. Memphis sllouc
rrspIcndent to justify the predictions
that had been made for her present and
as an earnest Of the glorious future
which no hand can stay.
Htth gratifying unnnimity The mer.
chants and business houses had respond,
ed to the call for decorations and sub,
scriptsns. II was a call TO put the
best loot forward and there was no dis
position to lag behind.
80 it was that, when the whistles an.
nonnccd the approach of the presidcn.
tinl fleet, the city was n waving mass of
color, not only along the line Of parade,
but on many other streets as well. Nv.
erywherp were pictures of the guest of
honor, From the ]fncalcs of the houses
dropped thousands upon thousands OF
yards Of bunting, while above the streets
banners and flags luttcfcd In the South.
orn breeze. Here aud there along the
line of parade rose graceful arches. be-
meath which were TO pass the carriages
bearing the distinguished guests, while
tightly drawn cables held back upon
the sidewalks the hundreds of thousands
Of people, good.natured and full of the
spirit of the hour, ~iostling and crowd,
ing to get a glimpse of the famous men
who honorcd the city with their pres.
ence.
Upon every hand was welcome and
hospitality, in every mouth u cheer and
in every breast q fencnt hope that the
cause for which the delegates had as.
scmblcd would i~ruetiiy for The honor and
glory of Memphis and the Mississippi
valley.
The president arrived in the biggest
squadron of vessels that has entered the
Memphis hurbor at one time since the
Civil war.
The president stood at the bow of TIE
flagship, the Mississippi and lifted his
hat repeatedly to the wild cheers of the
$4,000 people who lined the river front. |
Every steamer in the harbor turned
loose its whistles, while those of the
presidents squadron scrccchcd a reply. |
For the thousands Of visitors that
lined the streets despite the unfavora.
bic weather, the event of the day was
the big parade. r. started from the
lcvcc as soon as The president stepped
into his carriage.
II Was an imposing spectacle as the
head OF the huge pageant ncared Main
aud Madison, There We're seven bands
IN the parade and all were playing their
loudcst, The presidents carriage was
of course the center OF attraction.
Preceded by a band of music carse
the military escort. First was Company
a, Confederate Veterans, with Captain |
Malone in command. The sight of the
company was sufficient to arouse en-
thusiasm along the line of march sec. !
nd only to that accorded the president,
The only stop during the parade was
at Court square, where the school chill
drcn were assembled.
When the parade reached Court
square the presidents carriage was driv-
en- in front of the grand stand, while
5000 children sang patriotic songs. The
song was America and tho ma.
tons chief executive stood in the car.
with barred head rs the children
sent forth the national hymn. Then
came Dixie" and the crowd went Wild
with enthusiasm, while Mr.. Roosevelt ,
his pleasure,
Suddenly the leader gave a signal and
Fourteen Feet Through the Valley
was started. I'VE represent the people
who want the waterway" sang the
girls aud boys, and the president bowed
to right and left. Then came Miss
Memphis" another OF the convention
songs, after which the presidents car.
was driven forward to its place
at the head of The procession.
When President Roosevelt reached the
auditorium, where the Deep Waterways
convention vas in session, he was at
once escorted to the stage, There was
no confusion or delay. Under the eff.
cicnt direction of Col. John I. Martin,
scrgcant'at-nrms, an open ~passagcway
had been prepared direct from the car.
to the seat on the platform. The
other guests were also quickly seated,
Cheer upon cheer broke loose as
Roosevelt stepped m the stage. 1t was
an enthusiastic welcome II which ans