The Irish standard., 1920-05-01
President DeValera
Tours South
He Met with Reception Throughout His Tour Only
Objectionable Feature Is Individual Legion
Trying to Prevent His Speaking

| ton and prosperity that are the envy
of the rest of the world but merely
thirteen miserable, disunited colonies,
with your people kept permanently di-
vided by the intrigues of English state
craft into opposing and contending
groups.
Had the fathers of your country
waited for this unattainable unanimity,
your population which, within living
memory, has Increased from about 2O,-
100000 to more than 105, ,000, 900, would
have been reduced instead to one-half,
as ours has been-an example unique
amongst civilized peoples, free or un.
| Free"
Before leaving Norfolk, the Presi-
dent visited the Confederate monu-
ment Removing his hat, the Presi-
dent entered the enclosure, laid a
wreath of flowers at the base of the
statue, and, taking a card from his
pocket, wrote:
Confederate States Of America, from
soldier of the Irish Volunteers,
Eamon deValera, 4-1O-20."
The President then visited the navy
yard, as the guest of the commandant,
paid his respects at the Confederate
monument in Portsmouth, visited sew
eral schools, and then went to the
grave of Father Ryan, the poet, leav-
ing there a wreath with the following
inscriptions:
ITO Father Ryan, the poet-priest of
the South, from an admirer from the
land of his fathers"
In Richmond, the President and
party stayed only few hours. Ar
irving at the station, he was met by a
reception committee and band, and es-
corted to the auditorium, where he
and DR.. Irwin spoke.
In Charleston, S. c., the President
received a splendid ovation. He was
given the freedom of the city, was the
guest of honor at several dinners and
receptions, and addressed several
overflow mass-meetings. He left
Charleston, as The American, of that
city, phrased it, with the best wishes
of the people of Charleston for a cam
paign which leaves not doubt in
their minds as to it's ultimate and COM
plete success, namely: Recognition
by the United States of Ireland as a
sovereign republic"
While en- route from Charleston to
Columbia, the Carolina Special" was
delayed, through the courtesy of the
railroad officials, at Sommerville, long
enough for an enthusiastic greeting to
the President by the residents of that
place. A large crowd surrounded the
train, cheered the President, and in
sisted on speech. He spoke briefly
and then shook hands with as many
of the crowd as possible before the
train rolled out.
| At Columbia the President was met
at the station by reception commit
| tee headed by Mayor L. F. McNally.
Escorted by convoy Of 20 automo-
biles, the Presidential party went to
the hotel, profusely decorated with
American and Irish flags, where lunch
con in his honor was served. Late in
the afternoon he attended a reception
at the home of DR.. E. c.. l.. Adams,
who explained in a brief speech that
he was not Catholic, only partly Irish,
but great admirer and supporter of
the Irish cause, because he believed in
it as just cause. In the evening the
| President and DR.. Irwin addressed a
capacity crowd at knights of Columbus
Hall.
In Savannah and Jacksonville the
President was the guest Of honor at
various receptions, speaking to the
usual mass-meetings. In Jacksonville
he emphasized the point that the Irish
question was an American question in
that this country was recognizing the
British military government in Ireland
and withholding recognition from the
government set up by the ballots of
eighty per cent of the 1rish people.
Charleston, S. c., April 20.-Presi-
dent Eamon deValera, of the Irish Re-
public, commanded a tremendous well
come recently in this charming old city
| of the South.
The President was met by recep-
tion committee at Ashley Junction, ar
irving at the Union Station shortly
after noon Saturday. After splendid
ovation at the station, the party pro-
ceeded in automobiles along thronged
streets to the City Hall, where the
President was presented, by Mayor
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