Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1907-10-10
THE WATERWAYS CONVENTION
PRESIDENT Roosevelt Gives His Approval of the
Great 1ovement for Deep Water.
RESOLUTIONS Favor Comprehensive System of Inland
Waterways to Include the Mississippi
River and Its Tributaries

Memphis, Teun.-With bands playing.
children singing and enthusiastic men
shouting the slogan OF deep waterways,
Memphis threw wide her gates today
to the president OF the United States. a
score of governors and many other dis
tinguished personages from the states
IN the fertile Mississippi valley.
Assembled in the Lakes-to-the-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 i of su.
preme moment to every state between
the Rockies and the Alleghenics. and
from the Canadian border to the Gull
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.
Ii was fitting that Memphis should
he the convention city. for no other in
the entire valley will benefit more from
the completion OF the i4-foot channel
And, therefore, it was fitting rerep.
tion which Memphis extended to her
friends
Despite the rain storm. Memphis shone
respleudent TO justify the predictions
that had been made for her present and
~ 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.
seriPtions. IL was call to put the
best foot forward and there was no dis.
position to lag behind
- il was that. when the whistles an.
nounced the approach of the pre-iden.
tial fleet, the city was a waving mas oi
color, not only along the line OF parade
but on many other streets "a well. Ev.
erywhere were pictures Of the guest OF
honor. From the faeades Of the houses
dropped thousands upon Thousands OF
yards Of bunting. while above the street
banners and flags huttered in the south.
ern breeze. Here and there along tho
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. cood-natured and full Of the
spirit of the hour. iostling and crowd.
ing to get glimpse of the famous men
who honored the city with their pres.
cnce
Upon every hand was welcome and
hospitality, in every mouth cheer and
in every breast a feryent hope that the
cause for which the delegates had a.
sembled would fructifv 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 harbor at one time since the
Civil war.
The president stood at the bow of the
flagship, the Mississippi and lifted hi,
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 screeehed 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. It started from the
levee as soon as the president stepped
into his carriage
1t was an imposing spectacle "a the
head of the huge pageant neared Main
and Madison. There were seven bands
in the parade and all were playing their
loudest. The presidents carriage was
of course the center of attraction.
Preceded by band of music came
the military escort. First was Company
\, Confederate Veterans, with Captain
Malone in command. The sight of the
company was sufficient to arouse en-.
thusiasm along the line OF march see.
ond only to that accorded the president.
The only stop during the parade was
Mt Court square. where the school chill
dren 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
first song was "America," and the ma.
tion's chief executive stood in the ear.
riage with barred head as the children
sent forth the national hymn. Then
came Dixie" and the crowd went wild
with enthusiasm, while Mr.. Roosevelt
smiled his pleasure.
Suddenly the leader gave signal and
1iltN
was started. I'VE represent the people
who want the waterway sang the
girls and boys, and the president bowed
to right and left. Then came Miss
Memphis" another of the convention
songs, after which the presidents cur.
riage was driven forward to its place
at the head OF the procession.
When President Roosevelt reached the
Auditorium, where the Deep Waterways
convention was in session, he was at
once escorted to the stage. There was
no confusion or delay. Under the eff.
eient direction of Col. John I. Martin
sergeant-at-arms, an open passageway
had been prepared direct from the car.
riage to the seat on the platform. The
other guests were also quickly seated.
Cheer upon cheer broke loose as
Roosevelt stepped on the stage. IL was
an enthusiastic welcome of which any