Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1910-06-23
A NATION GREETS
COL. ROOSEVELT
A Mighty Throdg Gathered To BID
Him Welcome.
CLIMAX OF TRIUMPHAL TOUR
A Great FIotilia Met Him Down tn'
eay-speeehes and Parades
Through Streets Of New
York.
CLIMAX OF TRIuMPAAL TOUR

New York, June 1S.-He has cont
back
Theodore Roosevelt returned to hi
native land today, and was given
welcome home such as was never be
fore accorded to citizen OF this re
public. The whole country Joined In
1t, and 1t was SO spontaneous and 81
utterly non-partisan that 1t could MOI
but be most flattering to the formeI
president.
Since emerging from the African
Jungle the latter part OF March, Mr.
Roosevelt has been the guest OF near
ly every European ruler and almost
unprecedented honors have beer
heaped on him. The reception by hif
fellow citizens was fitting climax te
his triumphal tour and must have beer
the most satisfactory event connected
with 1t.
FlotIIIa Meets Him at Quarantine.
More than month ago every avail
able craft in New York harbor had
been engaged for the day, and nu
merous big organizations, like the Re
publican club Of New York and the
Hamilton club Of Chicago, had char
tered regular coast line steamers
Early in the morning this immense
Aotilla sailed far down the bay, and
when, about nine o'clock, the scouting
tugs and motor boats came flying in
with the word that the Kaiserin Au
guste Victoria was approaching, all
made ready for the first greeting.
AS the big liner came into sight
every whistle on every vessel was tied
open and shrieked the welcome to the
returning wanderer. Colonel Roose'
welt, with Mrs. Roosevelt and Kermit
by his side, stood on the deck, waving
his hand and smiling the familiar
smile, and the waiting thousands
cheered him again and again.
Reception Committee Takes Him.
At Quarantine the necessary for
malities were quickly over and the
official reception committee took the
colonel AID his party aboard its rev.
enue cutter. That vessel at once
started up the harbor and all the gaily
decorated craft, filed with clubs and
private parties, fell in behind and
formed a most spectacular water pa
rade. On almost every boat was q
band, and all the way the musicians
played at the top Of their lungs The
shores were black with people who
shouted their greetings to Teddy" as
he passed and the factories and mills
added the noise Of their whistles to
the general din.
So it went all the way up to Twen'
ty-third street, where the parade
turned and made its way back to the
Battery. At that historic spot at the
lower end of Manhattan island Col
onel Roosevelt landed to receive the
formal welcome home.
Welcomed BY Mayor caynor.
In an enclosure in the center Of
Battery park were 200 distinguished
guests, including senators, represent
atiyes, ambassadors and close per !
sonal friends of Mr.. Roosevelt, Sur
this enclosure was another
reserved space which was occupied
by about $500 prominent men and
members Of the big reception com
mittee. The rest Of the park wasNopen
70 the public, and every inch Of 1t
was occupied from an early hour In
the morning.
The cheering and music were almost
as the colonel entered the
park, but finally quiet was restored
and Mayor Gaynor stepped forward
and delivered a cordial address Of
welcome on behalf Of the nation and
the city. MT. Roosevelt responded
briefly but feellngly, and short
speeches were made by several other
prominent men. Much as he would
have liked to be present to greet his
predecessor, President TAFT was kept
away on account OF his official posi-
ton and by a previous engagement.
Parade Through the City.
When the speech making was over,
the parade through the city streets
started. 1t was originally intended to
conclude the reception with q mon
ster parade, and Invitations were 10
sued to various organizations through
out the country. Within a few days
however, the committee was flooded
with so many applications that the
parade feature had to be In part abaR
doned. Organizations from Maine to
CalifoEnia and from the Gulf TO the
Great Lakes requested places in The
line Of march. and II the project bad
been carried out, the procsssion would
have extended from. the Battery 70 the
Harseh river ana back again, q dis
lance Of 20 miles. And the people VIC
had Travelled hundreds Of miles 70 Sc
Roosevelt would have been deprived
81 the pleasure. In order TO overcome
his obstacle 30 that no one would be
offended. q unique arrangement was
adopted BY the committee. An or
Itnllations that wished to participate
In thn nnrnfa were nrrirnaH rarfnfFI