The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-10-27
Cheering Throngs Wei
come President to
Dixie Land.
AWAKENED EARLY
BY REBEL YELL"
Enthusiastic Crowds at Cities,
Villages and Hamlets to Get
Glimpse of First Native Son
Elevated to Presidency
Since Civil War-En
Route to Mobile.

On Board President Wilson'S Special
Train. Atlanta Ca. October 26.-Thous-
ands and thousands Of Southern folk
in great cheering throngs welcomed
President Wilson TO Dixie Land to-day
az he sped through Virginia North and
South Carolina aud Georgia, en- route
TO the Southern Commercial Congress
at Mobile, Ala. where he will deliver
an address Tomorrow on Rural Cred
its"
The shriil notes OF the Rebel Ycll"
at salisbury. y. G, awakened the presi-
dent earlier than he had intended 10
rise. and as the autumn sunlight
streaked over tho Blue Ridge. pill
grimage OF admiring hosts began. At
villages and hamlets. where the presi-
dents train ran slowly; at cities where
stops were made to change engines,
there were huge crowds enthusiastic
and happy at their first glimpse of
Woodrow Wilson, the nrst native of
the South elevated To the presidency
since the Civil War.
We walked ffteen miles 10 see YOU"
said q group of tall North Carolina ms
"a tho President appeared on tho car
platform at Charlotte. They told MIR.
wilson they We're from Davidson Col
lcge, where he had prepared for Prince
ton. The President greeted them
warmly.
Like Coming Home.
Its like coming home again" he
said: and amid cheers hundreds Of
hands were stretched toward him. Mr..
Wilson shook hands with many, hut re
Trained from making any speeches.
Speech, Speech cried tie crowd
at Spartanburg. s. c.
IT'S Sunday" smiled the President.
l-all
they insisted. You could preach, you
know
Il can, preach remarked the Presi-
dent modestly.
a political sermon?" suggested a
voice and the President Joined Ia the
laugh that followed.
Big boxes or flowers were presented
TO the President ever the rail- OF his
observation car at many points en-
route. The biggest demonstrations oc-
Cured at Salisbury and charlottc,' y.
e. Spartanburg and Grcenville, $ g..
and Gainesville and Atlanta, Ga
Many Of the cities brought familiar
memories 10 mind. for Mr.. Wilson spent
his early life IN this region. lie prac-
raret and Jessie Wilson were born at
Gainesville. and the President pointed
out the house TO DR.. Grayson rs the
train rolled BY.
Welcome to Daniels.
Secretary Daniels, OF the Navy De-
partment. who is also to speak at Mo-
bile, was given a warm welcome en-
route. particularly in his home State
North Carolina.
ON the Presidents train were about
200 people. all bound for the Southern
Commercial Congress. Senator Fletcher.
of Florida. president of the orsaniza-
tion. took q pert of the delegation
back into the Presidents car during
the afternoon to shake hands, and MIR.
Wilson later came forward into the
Pullmans to greet some of the women
In the party.
John Barrett, djrector-general OF the
Pan-American Union. and the Latin
American diplomats aboard paid their
respects to the President. Among
them were Minister Calvo. of Costa
Rica; Minister Calderon. of Bolivia
Minister Pe2et. of Peru; Minister MO-
rales. OF Panama: Consul l-General Gun
ha. OF Brazil. and Consul General Par
do. of Argentina
The President told the diplomats that
his main reason for going TO Mobile
was that the meeting was suggestive
of closer relations with their coun-
tries He remarked that they were
probably aware from what he had said
and done of his close sympathy for
Central and South America. He spoke
informally OF the great dement's that
would accrue from the Panama Canal,
declaring that. although the waterway
physically severed the two continents.
II would make for a closer union in
every other respect.