Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-11-06


country, people, cities. battlefields
rivers, etc. II is my regret that oiiicia
and other cares have prevented an ear
her summary of the journeys for edi
| fication of CENSOR readers. In the
brief time and space at my command
am unable, and indeed it is too late t.
review as matter of news details oi
the trips. The finest season of the yeal
for jaunt through the southern states
is the month of October weather anC
other conditions being most propitious
at that season.
The first outing was that of trip
down the Mississippi river from Keo-
kuk, Iowa, TO Memphis, Tennessee, the
| occasion being an inspection of the old
river with the presidential-govern
congressional party, with Memphis the
objective place for the National Lakes
tc the Calf Deep Waterways ConVen-
ton. 1t was an excursion and con-
vention that will doubtless bear fruit
IN its purposes and become historic as
the most notable event in the work
sought to accomplish. President Roose-
welt lent his presence and influence to
the convention and its purposes the
Improvement of the upper Mississippi;
to restore its early-day greatness as
during pioneer civilization. make it a
powerful navigation stream of CONNER
clal value. The south is ins:stent OH
Elns undertaking. the;r representatives
III congress hasmg given strong assur-
ance that the national legislature will
be committed to the project In this
lies the fear that, beneficial as perhaps
the improvement might be to the c0un-
try, 1T may be overdone by making ex-
travagant appropriations without first
having ascertained just how far this
Improvement can ligitimately be carried
and not bankrupt the national treasury,
The more visionary and enthusiastic
advocates went so far i'm their addresses
as to advocate very large bond issue
for the purpose. OF the many addresses
presented by lsadlng men of the Miss
issippi valley that of Governor David
son, with the people at large, received
most favorable comment. He pleaded
for sane and sound consideration of
the whole project; that congress ought
not act hastily-the methods of pro-
ceedure, the cost and practical results
should be sought out under government
authority, then rightful action taken.
September 30, in company with Gov
ernor Davidson, the writer left the cap
ital city, travelling till nightfall across
the state of Illinois to Clinton, Iowa,
thence to Keolluk Illinois is a little
empire within itself-a great resource
ful state-br0ad prairies. thousands up
on thousands of acres of corn, verit-
able Egypt, cattle in droves, Creameries,
cheese factories, coal mines, railroads
perfect network, Tuesday, October
!, was the greatest day the city Of
keokuk, with population of $1,000,
tone-fourth of il colored) has ever
Snown, although the historic Iowa town
has many times entertained presidents
and other notabes The state of Iowa
fairly turned itself inside out to pay
tribute to the nation executive, every
section of that great commonwealth
sending large delegations TO join in the
event. Twenty governors and fifty
congressman were present. The dem
onstratlon was one no participant will
ever forget. In his address the presi-
dent fairly charmed the vast multitude
AS strong and patriotic as are the adj
dresses of Roosevelt. founded on eters
nal truth and facts, no mere reading of
them carries the force and conviction
that one gains by hearing them deliv-
cred. He makes every auditor feel
that it is personal appeal to the indi-
vldual. lie carries conviction that he
is thoroughly imbued with a desire for
the best things in life the home the
state, the nation. He is not fluent
speaker or AN orator, but has addresses
touch responsive chord in every heart
and conscience. President arrived di-
rect from the unveiling of the McKin-
ley monument at Canton. Ohio. He
was met at the station by the commit
tee of citizens, governors, congress
men, Judges and other digaitaries; es-
corted to "A beautiful park where the
speaking and exercises were held in the
open air. The president, was intro
duced by Governor Cummins of Iowa
At IL close of the exercises he was
psSse tied with a gold headed cane by
colo,ed man, as a testimonial that the
>r!ored race appreciated the worth of
the president.
At noon the presidential party amid
the most deafening shrieks of every
factory locomotive and other steam
whistles in the city, left the wharf for
river trip of 700 miles, the president &
first voyage on the Fathers Of Waters.
Most Of the notables went to st. Louis
by special iraiu, arriving there before
evening. That city of 750, 900. great in
a commercial way and as a city of fine
residences and homes, was in holiday
attire, not only for the coming of the
highest official, first citizen Of the land,
but their annual carnival of the yelled
prophet, was on street mardgrass,
closing with ball that eclipses any
thing of its character given in the
country.
The feet accompying the president
arrived at nine O'Clock Wednesday
morning, met much as he was at Ke0-
kuk, escorted to the immense auditorium
which stands on the old exposition
grounds Here, to my way of thinking,
Roosevelt delivered the greatest speech
of his life. He was introduced by the
much talked of Governor Folk, and It
was handsomely done. A drive Of many
miles through the residence districts
and busy streets At were everywhere
crowded by anxious scrutiuizers brought
the presidential delegation to the ban
quet hall, where four hundred distin-
guished citizens from all parts of the
United States joined in the feast.
Limited time did not admit of speeches,
the president alone talking for two or
three minutes. With the most animated
ever expect to witness
fifteen magnificent boats steamed out
of St. Louis, the presidents boat, the
Pittsburg, heading the fleet, followed
by The Mackenzie, a government YES
sci, then The Alton, with governor
aboard, then The Tennessee, carrying