The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1907-10-23
SOUTHERN WELCOME.
Union and Confederate Veter-
ans Escorted the President.
Was introduced at the Court House
Square by Congressman John Sharp
Williams-President Referred to JEFF
ferson Davis as Favorite Son of Mis-
sissippi and the South.

Terson Davis as FaVorite Son OF Mis-
sissippl and the South.
Vicksburg, Miss, Oct. 22.-After a
fortnight spent In the cane brakes,
President Roosevelt, bronzed and
vigorous, paid flying visit to ViclIs-
burg and made speech yesterday
afternoon.
The president arrived at Delta just
across the Mississippi river, at /
o'clock. tle was met by the steam
boat rellc of the Bends, having a re.
ception committee of 100 citizens on
board. The president Immediately
embarked and followed by a dozen
boats and yachts came over to the
city. The bluffs overlooking the river
were lined with people, who gave the
welcome.
President Roosevelt entered car
riage at the pier, and with Mayor B.
W. Griffith and General Stephen d.
cipal streets to the National cemetery.
The president was received with en-
thusiastic acclaim. The streets were
packed with people, who cheered
him at every opportunity.
At Cherry and Clay streets the pro-
cession was halted and General Lee,
commander-in-chie of the United Con-
federate Veterans told the president
that several hundred Union and Con-
federate veterans stood before him.
The president arose and cordially
shook hands with the old soldiers.
On arriving at the National ceme-
terry the party drove slowly through
the grounds, the president evincing
lively interest in the historic place.
From the cemetery the party drove to
the Court House square, where an i'm
mense crowd had gathered to hear
the speechmaking. President Roose-
welt was introduced by Congressman
John Sharp Williams, who elected
great applause when he said
"You cannot in the history of any
country, ancient or modern, find sue
cesslon of % kings, emperors, or even
prime ministers, the equals in intelli-
sence, culture, courage or character
Of the % presidents of this great re-
public, from Washington to Roosevelt,
inclusive.
"Of these |, a Southern Bourbon
Democrat, have an American pride
and pleasure in saying that The last
is by no means least
1T is an honor for you and me, fell
low Mississippians, to meet and enter
tain with An old-tims, fullhearted
Southern hospitality the Hon. Theo-
dore Roosevelt, an honor flowing at
once from his official dignity and from
his many excellent traits Of private
character.
"He is our chief magistrate, Amer
ica's chief magistrate, OF the re-
united Dixieland and Yankeeland,
never so firmly cemented in blood,
opinion and sentiment as they are to-
day"
Immediately after closing his ad-
dress President Roosevelt and party
were rapidly driven to the Yazoo and
Mississippi Valley railway station.
where special train stood in waiting
At $40 o'clock the train pulled out for
Memphis, where the president arrived
shortly after midnight The train
was Immediately transferred to the
Louisville & Nashville railroad and
started for Nashville.
In his Vicksburg speech the pres.
dent said.
at Is indeed an honor for me to be
today the guest of Vicksburg and of
Mississippi, and I was inexpressibly
touched by the greeting over the great
arch of cotton bales which said Mis-
sissippi Greets the President
should not be fit to be president at all
If I did not with all my might and
main, with all my heart and brain,
seek to be in the full sense the pres
ident Of Mississippi, the president of
every state in this Union. | am glad
to be here in this historic city this
city forever memorable of the con.
flicts In which victor and vanquished
alike showed such splendid courage,
such splendid feality to the light as it
was given to each. Even before the
Civil war Mississippi's sons had shown
that they knew how to fight.
'It was from Vicksburg that COM
pany of that famous Mississippi regi-
ment which won undying renown in
Me Mexican war under the gallant
leadership Of its colonel. who after
ward became the favorite son not only
Of Mississippi but Of all the South,
Jefferson Davis, came. Think how fort
innate we are as a nation that 1t Is
possible for the president of the ma
tion to come here today to be conduct
ed through your National park by the
surviving Lieutenant general of the
Confederate army and to feel that
every instance of heroism recorded by
the monuments, alike to the Union
and to the Confederate dead on that
battlefield, Is a subject for just pride
to every citizen of this nation, no mat
ter where he lives"