The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-10-22
PRESIDENT PAYS
TRIBUTE TO DAVIS
Talks to Audience Of Mis-
sissippians on Water
way Improvement.
WILLIAMS HAPPY
IN INTRODUCTION
Mississippi senator-E1ect De.
clares That Roosevelt Is by No
Means Least in Greatness
Of Our Presidents.
Speech Of the
President.

v1cKsBURG. MISS, October a.
After a fortnight spent in the cane
brakes, President Roosevelt. brohzed
and vigorous, paid flying visit to
vicksburg and made speech Gals af-
ternoon. The President arrived at
Delta, Just across the Mississippi River,
at O'clock.
He was met by the steamboat Belle
OF the Bends, with q reception commit
tee OF one hundred. citizens on board.
The President Immediately embarked,
and. followed by a dozen boats and
yachts. made his entry into the city.
The bluffs overlooking the river were
lined with people. who gave the Chief
Executive hearty and noisy welcome.
Rode with General Lee.
President Roosevelt entered the for
Mayor b. W. Griffith and General
Stephen D. Lee. headed a parade. which
passed through the principal streets to
the National Cemetery. The President
was received with enthusiastic acclaim.
The streets were packed with people.
who cheered the visitor at every oppor-
tunity.
At Cherry and Clay Streets the pro-
cession was halted, and General Lee.
Ol SH0 CuiSSo
Confederate Veterans. told the Presi-
dent that several hundred Union and
Confederate veterans stood before him.
The President arose in the carriage
and cordially shook hands with the old
soldiers. Arriving at the National
Cemetery the party droveS slowly
through the grounds. the President
eyinc!ng lively interest in the his
toric place. From the cemetery the
party drove to the Courthouse Square.
where an immense crowd had gathered
to hear the speech making. President
Roosevelt was introduced by Congress-
man John Sharp Williams. who ELECTED
tremendous applause when he said:
Williams Presents President.
You cannot in the history OF any
country. ancient or. modern, find sue
cession OF twenty-five kings, emper-
ors.i or even prime ministers, the
equals in intelligence. culture. cour-
age or character OF the twenty-five
Presidents OF this great republic. from
Washington to Roosevelt. Inclusive.
OF these I, Southern born Democrat.
have an American pride and pleasure
in saying that the last Is by no means
least
TT is an honor for you and me,
fellow -Mississippians, to meet and en-
tertain with an old-time. full-hearted.
Southern hospitality. the Hon. Theodore
honor flowing at once
from his official dignity and from his
many excellent traits Of private char
acter.
HE is our chief magistrate, Amer
tca's chief magistrate OF the reunited
Dixieland and Yankeeland, never so
firmly cemented in blood. opinion and
sentiment as they are to-day"
Immediately after closing his adj
dress. President Roosevelt and party
were rapidly driven to the Yazoo and
Valley Railway station,
where special train stood in waiting.
At $3.50 o'clock the train pulled out
scheduled to arrive shortly after mid
night.
The train will be Immediately trans
ferred to the Louisville and Nashville
Railway and started for Nashville.
The Presidents Speech.
In his Vicksburg speech the Presi-
dent said: 1T is indeed an honor for
me to be to-day the guest OF vicks-
burg and of Mississippi. and l was
inexpressibly touched by the greeting
over the great arch OF cotton bales
which said, Mississippi Greets the
President should not be ut to be
President at all If l did not with all
my might and main. with all my heart
and brain, seek to be in the full sense
the President Of Mississippi, the Presi-
dent Of every State in this Union I
am glad to be here In this historic
city thirsty for every memory OF the
conflicts in whlchvictor and vanquish-
ed alike showed such splendid cour-
age, such splendid fealty to the light |
as it was given to each. Even before