The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-10-29

On Board President Wilson's Spe-
cial Train, Atlanta, Ga, Oct. &C.
Thousands and thousands of Southern
folk in great, cheering throngs today
welcomed President Wilson to Dixie
land as he sped through Virginia,
North and South Carolina and GeOr-
gia, Ell route to the Southern CONNER
cial congress at Mobile, Ala, where
tomorrow he will deliver an address
on rural credits.
The shrill notes Of rebel yell''
president earlier than he had intend
ed to rise, and as the autumn SUM-
light streaked over the Blue Ridge a
pilgrimage Of admiring hosts began
At villages and hamlets, where the
presidents train ran slowly, at cities
where stops were made to change en-
thusisatic and happy at their first
glimpse of Woodrow Wilson, the first
native of the South elevated to the
presidency since the War Between the
Section.
1--WE walked Is miles to see you,"
said a group of North Carolinians at
Charlotte. They told Mr.. Wilson they
were from Davidson college, where
he had prepared for Princeton. The
president greeted them warmly.
Its like coming home again." he
said and hundreds Of hands were
stretched toward him. Mr.. Wilson
shook hands with many, but refrained
from making any speeches.
Speech, Speech" cried the crowd
at Spartanburg, S. c.
IT'S Sunday smiled the president.
well. we've just come from
church." they insisted. you could
preach, you know"
II can't preach" remarked the
president modestly. t.
"A political sermon?" suggested a
voice and the president joined in the
1
Big boxes Of flowers were presented
to the president over the rail of his
observation car at many points en-
route. The biggest demonstration oc-
CURED at Salisbury and Charlotte,
y. C., Spartanburg and Greenville, :.
c., and Gainesville and Atlanta, Ga.
| Df lo 81
memories to mind as Mr.. Wilson
spent his early life in this region. He
practiced law in Atlanta. The Misses
Margaret and Jessie Wilson were born
at Gainesville, and the president
pointed out the house to DR.. Grayson
as the train rolled by.
Secretary Daniel Of the navy de-
partment, who also is to speak at
Mobile was givein a warm welcome
en- route, particularly in his home
State-North Carolina.
On the presidents train were about
200 people, all bound for the South
ern Commercial Congress. Senator
ton, took a part of the delegation
back into the presidents car during
the afternoon to shake hands and Mr..
Wilson later came forward irtO the
Pullmans ito greet some of the ladies
in the party.
John Barrett, director of the Pan
y rnn tonr
lean diplomats aboard paid their re-
spects to the president.
The president told the diplomats
that his main reason for going to Mo-
bile was that the meeting was sug-
gestive OF closer relations with their
countries. lie remarked that they
probably were aware from what he
had said and done Of his close SYM
pathy for Central and South America.
lie spoke informally Of the great ben
efits that would accrue fronl the
Panama canal declaring that although
the waterway physically severed the
two continents, it would make for
closer union in every other respect.
Secretary Daniels today had a brief
talk with President Wilson on the
naval programme. He took luncheon
with the president, but they discussed
the subject only in a preliminary way.
Secretary Daniels said that neither
he nor the president had reached any
final decision on the battleshfp pro-
Sramme. Mr.. Daniels also SAID he
would make no recommendation
until he could obtain further infor-
nation from Secretary McAdoo on ex-
pected revenues.
Mr.. Daniels is in favor of an early
trial OF the budget system as Il sim
plifyinS process of governmental cX-