The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-06-18

A moment later the white hull of
the first ship in the parade. dressed
from stem to stern in flags, came in
sight and the Seventy-first Regiment
band, stationed on the water front,
struck UP Columbia, the Gem of the
Ocean,
There were no cheers from the
crowd that packed the park and filed
windows of Office buildings. The peo-
pie were still and expectant, but from
excursion boats on the harbor a better
view of the water parade was to be
had.
AS the gray hulled South Carolina
came abreast of the Robbins reef light,
a r1ft or white foam at her bow, the
patrol fleet of revenue cutters swung
into position into starboard and port of
the line and slowly the maritime pa
geant passed on, with the Androscog-
gin Immediately behind the skirmish
line or war vessels.
Parading Fleet 200 Strong.
Behind the Androscoggin the mer-
chant vessels took their positions in
double columns, maintaining dis
tance of 800 feet. Divided into twelve
divisions, commanded by as many vice
commodores, the parading fleet, near
ly zoo strong, steamed up the bay and
into the Hudson, keeping we'll in to-
wards the New York shores. When
opposite the stake boat anchored off
F1fty-n1nth street, the procession
turned in towards the Jersey shore and
steamed down the river to the battery.
AS the def1le reached the lower end of
Manhattan every craft af1oat and every
factory ashore put its enthusiasm into
steam and let loose a pandemonium
such as is heard but once a year. at
midnight of December 81
AT the Battery as the morning wore
on the crowd grew denser but hemmed
in it hyr q nd oh
structtng dock houses of the depart
ment Of docks and ferries, it could see
little of the water parade.
All along the river front people were
massed by hundreds and thousands in
every spot from which a sight of the
the taller buildings along the river front
greetings were waved at the passing of
Col. Roosevelt on the Androscoggin.
After the Androscoggin turned 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 return
ing traveller were the delegations of
WesternerS
March of Rough Riders.
The march of the Rough Riders down
Broadway on their way to greet their
old commander at the Battery was the
along the line. The troopers wore yell
low khaki, with buckskin leggings and
broad brimmed grey slouch hats Their
horses looked like mustangs, accouter-
ed with heavy military saddles and
blankets as though ready for cam
paign.
They moved in battalion formation,
the ranks extending for two blocks
along the roadway with flags flying
and their rough rider band playing.
All along the line of march an en-
thustastic greeting was given them.
After the Rough Riders. came a long
line Of automobiles bringing guests,
committeeman, members of the Rough
Riders families, etc.
Col. Roosevelt left the Androscoggin
at the Battery at 1885 a. m. and walk
ed to his place in the speakers stand
accompanied by Mayor Gaynor.
as there a stenograrher here?''
was Mr.. Roosevelt's first question. On
assurance there was. he said:
Good. Now We'll go ahead Boys,
I'm feeling fine"
Mayor Gaynor welcomed Colonel
Roosevelt briefly and Mr.. Roosevelt
began his reply mmediately.
His voice was a little hoarse. but he
spoke with his usual force and declam-
atory effect. A big cheer and a loud
laugh went UP when he said with en-
phasis:
81 enjoyed myself immensely"
Col. RooseveIt's Reply.
Replying to Mayor Gaynor, Colonel
Roosevelt said:
81 thank you, Mayor Gaynor.
Through you 1 thank your committee
and through them 1 wish to thank the
American people for their greeting. 1
need hardly say I am most deeply
moved by the reception given me. No
man could receive such a greeting
without being made to feel very proud
and very humble.
"I have been away a year an a
quarter from America and 1 have seen
strange and interesting things, alike in
the heart of the frowning wilderness
and in the capitals of the mightiest
and most highly polished of civilized
nations. 1 have thoroughly enjoyed
myself and now 1 am more glad than
I can say to get home, to be back in
my own country, back among people
I love. And 1 am ready and eager to
do my part SO far as I am able in
helping solve problems which must be
solved if we of this the greatest demo-
cratic republic on which the sun has
ever shone, are to see it's destinies rise
to the high level of our hopes and its
opportunities.
"This is the duty of every citizen,