The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1910-06-19

those bodleS.
Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean
There were no cheers from the
crowd that packed the park and filled
windows of Office buildings. The peo-
pie were still and expectant.
But from excursion boats in the har-
Dor a better view of the water parade
was to be had. AS the gray hulled
South Carolina came abreast of the
Robins Reef light, churned rift of
white foam at her bow, the patrol fleet
of revenue cutters swung into position
to starboard and port of the line, and
slowly the maritime pageant passed on
with the Androscoggin Immediately be-
hind the skirmish line of war vessels.
Behind the Androscoggin, the vessels
touched their position in the double
columns, maintaining a distance of 800
feet. Divided into twelve divisions
commanded by as many wise commo-
dores, the parading feet, nearly 200
strong, steamed up the bay and into
the Hudson, keeping well in towards
the New York shore. When opposite
the stake boat anchored off 69th
street, the procession turned in to-
wards the Jersey shore and steamed
down the river to the Battery.
AS the defile reached the lower end
of Manhattan, every craft af1cat and
every factory ashore put its enthusiast
tic steam and let loose a pandemonium
such as Is heard but once a year, at
midnight December 81
Many of the wharves and docks
along the river front had dressed"
for the occasion and the spectacle of
! the two lines of bunting decorated yes.
sells slipping by, halyards dripping
with color, was one to gladden. the
eye.
At the Battery as the morning wore
on the crowd grew denser, but
hemmed in as it was by the police and
the obstructing dock houses of the de-
partment of docks and ferries, it could
see little of the water parade. All
along the river front people we're
massed by hundreds and thousands in
every spot from which a sight of the
marine pageant might be had. From
the taller buildings along the river
front, greetings were waved at the
passing of Colonel Roosevelt on the
Androscoggin
After the Androscoggin turned the
mark boat at Fifty+ninth street. the
crowds turned from the shore and
made their way to the streets along
which the land parade was to move.
Second only in interest to the re-
turning traveller were the delegations
of westerners.
The march of the rough riders down
Broadway on their way to greet their
old commander at the Battery was the
signal for enthusiastic welcome all
along the line.
| Following the troopers came long
line of automobiles bearing noted
guests, committeeman, members of the
rough riders families, etc.
Col. Roosevelt left the Andrcscoggin
at the Battery at los a. NJ and walk
ed to his place in the speakers stand,
accompanied by Mayor Gaynor.
Mr.. Roosevelt walked slowly, shading
his eyes from the sun with his hat,
Cornelius Vanderbilt, chairman of the
reception committee, at his elbow. At
the steps of the speakers stand, the
mayor took his hand and led him to
the steps. He looked hale and hearty
and coat of tan still Drowned his
face.
| ROOSEVELT SPEAKS.
rs there stenographer here?" was
his first question. On assurance that
there was, he said:
Good! Now We'll go ahead. Boys,
I'm feeling fine"
Mayor Gaynor welcomed Col. Roose-
welt in less than $50 words and Mr..
Roosevelt began his reply imme.
diately.
His voice was a little hoarse. but he
spoke with his usual force and
declamatory effect. A big cheer and
a long laugh went up when he said
with emphasis:
| Il enjoyed myself immensely"
! Replying to Mayor Gaynor, Col
Roosevelt said! Il thank you. Mayor
Gaynor. Through you l thank your
committee and through them / wish to
thank the American people for their
greeting. | need hardly say l am most
deeply moved by the reception given
me. No man could receive such a
greeting without being made to feel
both very proud and Very humble.
| Il have been away a year and a
quarter from America and have seen
| strange and interesting things alike in
the heart of the wilderness and in the
capitals of the mightiest and most
| highly polished of civilized nations. l
have thoroughly enjoyed myself and
now l am more glad than l can say. to
| get home, to be back in my own coun-
try, back among people | love. And l
am ready and eager to do my part so
far as l am able to help solve the
problems which must be solved if We,
| of this, the greatest democratic repub-
/ Tic upon which the sun has ever shone,
are to see its destinies rise to the