The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1907-10-04
GIFT TO PRESIDENT
Speech Heard by Thousands-Claim-
ed That Similar Treatment Should
be Extended to Rich and Poor
Asserted That the American Peo-
pie Could Whip the World.

Keokuk,, Iowa. Oct. 1.-keokuk
put on a gala attire TO receive the
president of the United States when
he arrived here at 9 O'Clock to-
day.
The city was assisted in its recep-
ton Of the chief magistrate by a
notable gathering of distinguished
men, including governors OF more
than a dozen states, members of both
houses of congress and the inland
waterways commission.
The occasion of the presidents
coming was the movement for a deep
waterway down the Mississippi riv-
er to the gulf and this city was Sc
lected as the point OF embarkation
for his voyage down the river to
Memphis where he arrives next Fri
day.
He made a noteworthy speech to
thousands of auditors. The recep-
ton to the president was cordial in
the extreme. He was in excellent
spirits. He embarked on the steam
er Mississippi a few minutes before
noon The boat is scheduled TO reach
ST. Louis at 9:45 q. m. tomorrow.
He was accompanied by Governor
Frantz of Oklahoma. and Seth Bull
lock of the Black Hills.
AS at Canton the president did not
deliver his speech here just as he
had prepared it and given it to the
press. He did not omit any fea-
lure but frequently turned from his
manuscript to interject extemporan-
eOus remarks for emphasis and elab-
grafton.
Before beginning he insisted that
the ropes be let down so as to admit
enough persons to fill a number Of
vacant seats and when a man and
oma appeared carrying children
he directed that they be given
chairs.
Again as on yesterday his theme
was the similar treatment for the
poor and the rich and again he found
occasion to point his story with IA
milliar colloQuialisms. isn't this
good doctrine" he asked after stat
ing his proposition, addressing the
grand army group in front of him
and when he received a shout of as
sem he added that he was always
ready to help a man who stumbles
and falls, but not to car
ry the nan who "lies down"
ct does him no. good and it is
too much for me-" he added.
THAT the American people can
whip the world" he conceded, but
contended hat they would nave a
hard time doing it if not prepared.
He would have, both men and ONE
do we'll some work that was worth
doing and he announced his contempt
for the woman who would Shirk her
duty as a wife and mother.
Considerable rain fell during the
speech but the president did o al
low it to interfere.
After he concluded he was pre-
sented with a gold headed cane by
the negroes of Keokuk.
The presentation speech was made
by a negro plasterer, who assured the
president that the negro population
of Keokuk had every confidence in
his administration and in his de-
termination to treat the black race
with fairness.
The Incident seemed to touch the
president. He grasped the speakers
hand and held it tightly while he
made reply, saying that he accepted
the present with great pleasure and
adding that in dealing with the black
man as in dealing with the white
he followe dwhat he believed the on
ly sane principle, that of treating
every man according to his merits
as an Individual, regardless of race.