Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1907-10-12


children singing and enthusiastic men
shouting the slogan OF deep waterways,
Memphis threw wide her gates today
to the president of tne United States, a
score OF governors and many other dis
tinguished personages from the states
in the fertile Mississippi valley.
Assembled in the Lakes-tothe-Gulf !
convention city was the most notable |
gathering of public men which ever has
been seen with the possible exception of
congress in Washington.
This fact in itself demonstrated the
vital Importance of the deep waterways
plan-an undertaking which is of SUI
preme moment to every state between
the Rockies and the Alleghenies, and
from the Canadian border to the Gulf
of Mexico. In this cause there are no
party lines and never will be. The
guests of the city were chosen, not for
what they had been in politics, but for
what they are doing for the benefit of
the Mississippi valley,
1t was fitting that Memphis should
be the convention city, for no other in
the entire valley will benefit more from
the completion of the 14-foot channel.
And, therefore, it was a fitting reeep-
tion which Memphis extended to her
friends.
Despite the rain storm, Memphis shone
resplendent to justify the predictions
that had been made for her present and
as an earnest OF the glorious future
which no hand can stay.
With gratifying unanimity the mer-
chants and business houses had respond
ed to the call for decorations and sub
scriptons. 1t was call to put the
best foot forward and there was no dis
position to lag behind.
So it was that, when the whistles an
nounced the approach of the presiden-
tial fleet, the city was a waving mass OF
color, not only along the line of parade,
but on many other streets as well. Ey-
erywhere were pictures of the guest Of
honor. From the facades of the houses
drooped thousands upon thousands of
yards of bunting, while above the streets
banners and flags fluttered in the South
ern breeze. Here and 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 honored the city with their pres
ence.
Upon every hand was welcome anc
hospitality, in every mouth a cheer an(
in every breast fervent hope that the
cause for which the delegates had as
sembled would fructify for the honor anC
glory of Memphis and the Mississippi
valley.
The president arrived in the bigges
squadron OF vessels that has entered th'
Memphis harbor at one time since th'
Civil war.
The president stood at the bow of tn
flagship the Mississippi and lifted hi
hat repeatedly to the wild cheers of tn
$4,000 people who lined the river front
Every steamer in the harbor turne
loose its whistles, while those of TIL
presidents squadron screeehed a reply
For the thousands of visitors tina
lined the streets despite the unfavora
BILE weather, the event of the day wa
the big parade. 1t started from tn
leyee as soon as the president steppe
into his carriage.
1t was an imposing spectacle as tn
head of the huge pageant neared Mai
and Madison. There were seven band
in the parade and all were playing the
loudest. The presidents carriage wa
Of course the center of attraction.
Preceded by a band of music can
the military escort. First was Compan
A, Confederate Veterans, with Captai
Malone in command The sight of Il
company was sufficient to arouse e.
thusiasm along the line OF march Sc
ond only to that accorded the presiden
The only stop during the parade va
Mt Court square, where the school chi
dren were assembled.
When the parade reached Cou
square the presidents carriage was drl
on in front of the grand stand, viii
1000 children sang patriotic songs. II
first song was america" and the n
tion's chief executive stood in the ca
riage with barred head as the ehildr'
sent forth the national hymn. Th'
came DIXIE, ana tne cfoWu NS"U va
with enthusiasm, while Mr.. Roosevt
smiled his pleasure.
Suddenly the leader gave a signal al
Fourteen Feet Through the Vale
was started "We represent the peoF
who want the waterway" sang t
girls and boys, and the president bow
TO right and left. Then came MI
Memphis" another OF the converts
songs, after which the presidents ci
riage was driven forward to its pla
at the head of the procession.
When President Roosevelt reached t
Auditorium, where the Deep Waterwa
convention was in session, he was
once escorted to the stage. There "
no confusion or delay Under the e
Gent direction of Col John !. Mart
sergeant-at-arms, an open passagew
had been prepared direct from the :, 6
riace to the seat on the platform. 1
other guests were also quickly seat
Cheer upon cheer broke loose
Roosevelt stepped on the stage. It v
.k,,s;aef;o welromn of which O