Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-10-05
THE PRESIDENT
Arrives at Memphis to Attend the
Lakes=to=Gulf Waterways Con-
vention==A Great Reception.

Ne nphi> Tenn, Oct. 4.--With hands
playing. children singing and enthus-
lastic men shouting the slogan OF deep
waterways, Memphis threw wide her
gates this afternoon to President
Roosevelt, score Of governors and
many other distinguished persona ges
| in the Mississippi valley.
The President arrived on board the
United States steamer Mississippi
shortly after one o'clock The bluffs
| overlooking the river We're packed with
people, who gave the chief executive 4
warm welcome. AS the steamer land
ed the whistles of all craft in the ha, =
Dor We're sounded. Immediately fol-
lowing the steamer Mississippi was
the steamer Alton, carrying visiting
governors and other notables.. When
all had landed the President was con-
Quoted to a carriage by Gov. Patterson
of Tennessee and Mayor Malone of
Memphis, and the most Imposing par
AIDE ever given here was begun. The
President was continuously cheeAd
throughout the march. The city wac
waving mass of color, not only OH
the line If parade, but on many streets
as WE'LL When the Presidents carriage
tn rnel into Main street he was saluted
by a regiment Of Confederate veterans,
who thereafteE acted as body guard.
The Presidents rose and warmly greet
ed the w;lrriors:of: half 4 century ago.
Despite a lively downpour Of rain
which lasted unit. moon. the streets
We're damned with citizens and WISH
tors. Arriving at the Auditorium rink
where the Deep Waterways convention
is holding. President Roosevelt alight
ed, chatted with Several friends and
ascended the platform. The huge
Governor Malcolm Patterson rose to
present the President an immense as
Semblage greeted him.
President Roosevelt departed from
his printed speech in several instances.
Speaking Of the Confederate guard of
hon"r. he said it was 4 touching sight
to see these old Confederate soldiers
carrying the flag Of this great union.
If any one wanted t. know if they
would nSh: for that flag, let him ask
the boys in blue how the boys in grey
fought against it. He sad with emnha-
sis that he was az much the President
of the South rs of the North and was
devoted to the South. He said he was
Eaif Snutilcrner and when he told
of two or three unclcS having worn the
gray he was tremendously applauded.
Speaking Of a deep water channel
from the gulf To the lakes. the Presi
drrt said he favored rapid improve
ln"nt IF the Mississippi river.
Like Davy Crockett. the great Ten
hesSercan." he said. Il favor his mot
10: Pc sure You are right then go
"nrad." This deep water problem is
almost up I" tn" 90 ahead stage. but
we wart t. b. SUI" about 1t. The
PanainHna canal he said. was get
ting on well, ana the reason il is GET
ting on 50 well il because we did not
allow ourselves to go off half cooked"
"Whrn the canal has been complet-
Cd" he said. "this nation would not
ask other governments: Kindly not to
bother the canal; that we would pro-
tcct. We must have 4 larger and high
~ effective navy To patrol our coasts.
ltGt only on the Atlantic. but on the
Pacific he said =
He urged the people to disregard par
ty lines in All purely national affairs
In &c injection with his discussion of
corporations, the President said his
cxnciieGce in the last few years had
brought him to the point of feeling