Rensselaer Republican, Volume 20, Number 5, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 October 1887 — THE PRESIDENT’S TRIP. [ARTICLE]

THE PRESIDENT’S TRIP.

| The “Line of March” Thronged With Natives to See the Train Go By. Features of the Trip—The Party and the Receptions Given—Honored Everywhere -Mrs. Cleveland AUo a Great Attrae- • lon. The President and valet, Mrs. Cleveland and maid and Mrs. Folsom, left the White House last Friday at 9r~K) o’clock , the beginning of a “swing around the circle,” so to speak. At the Pennsylvania starion they were joined by Wilson S. Bisself, Dr. Joseph L. Bryant, Col. and Mr%. Lamont, and two press repre sentatives, who compose the party. The members of the Cabinet were at the station to bid them farewell, and at 10 o’clock the train pulled out on its long Western-Southern journey. 0 The train consists of three cars, the handsomest and most complete in the world. Over 4fty skilled mechanics were ten days in getting them ready and the work is the most elaborate ever done by the Pullman company. An electro and dynamo in the forward car furnished electricity for lights and bells for the train. The three cars, when joined together, form one continuous car, passengers being able to pass from one to the other without exposure to the weather. A well-filled larder occupies a place in the apartment devoted to baggage The Alfarato also contains berths, bath-room, barber-shop, and a smoking and reading-room. Oak predominates in the finishing, and the plush covering of the seals aud the trimmings are all in harmony. In the “Velasco,” oak and cherry are predominant in the wood work, and the plush Eeats are of a rich blue. The. lamps are silvered and the cabinet highly and beautifully carved. The private car that will be occupied by the President and Mrs. Cleveland his been occupied by Mr. Pullmau for the past twelve years, and has passed over nearly railroad in the country. Tt has been occuat various times by Presidents Grant, Hayes and Arthur, and by many other distinguished persons. The train arrived at Baltimore at 11:10, where 1,000 people had gatheied at the station, but the President declined to appear on the platform. The train reached York, Pa., at 1:15,, but did not stop. The President stood on the rear platform and bowed pleasantly to the assembled multitudes.- Mrs. Cleveland stood in the doorway. The train stopped five minutes at Harrisburg. The ride up the Susauehenna and Juniata valleys was delightful. The sultriness of the morning had given place to cooler temperature. At Miffin and .Mount Union the inhabitants were out in force and waved and cheered the excursion godspeed. At Huntington flags were liberally displayed, and the steam whistles of the town tooted their very loudest. At Lswistown junction was gathered a large number of villagers and country people, who had come in wagons. in which they sat or stood and waved welcome. At one of the small stations a sedate, brown-bearded countryman, standing upon a bank, surrounded by a hundred or more of his fellows, lustily beat a bass drum, while the. others yelled. At another station the resources of the neighborhood were expended upon a banner, whose legend; except the words, “Love and Manage, aud “Josiah Pilkins,” could not he made out. While jiassing one of the great wayside iron mills, a platoon of grimy workmen rushed from thsir tasks, and displayed their stalwart proportions stripped naked to the waist. The train stopped five minutes at Altoona, and the President was greeted by a howling, but good natured, mob. Every face wore a smile and every voice Screfohed a welcome, but the throng was nevertheless a howling, swaying, pushing mob. The authorities, »v c and railroad, seem to have been inspired by.exoellent intentions, hut' their preparations, as the event pro yeti, were gailiv inadequate. Before the train had stopped one wild eyed enthusiast had clambered over the railings of the platform with a “here you are, Mr. President” grasped hands "with trie President, and then turning, emitted a call for three cheers from the already.hoarse throats of those who followed. The President stepped down to the station platform, and an attempt was made to pass the multitude before him, ti give an opportunity for handshaking, but despite the commands, threats, entreaties and ever blows of those who had tried to manage the affair, the people surged ahead, from behind and from in fornt as well. There were woman and small children in the close Wedged mas 3, and not a few of those wRo seemed in most danger were rescued by being • dragged from the car platform. The 1 President was prgt <1 to. re'TCffit to the plqtfprm, but he shook his head and kept his place below, smiling, at first, but with a more earnest and protesting look later. He gr.sped a hand whenever he. saw one thrust between or over .or around tnose in front, and motioned to the ma«B to keep back from the right and approach from the left. The 'last hafld he shook was that of a man who climbed upon the roof of the car and hung head downwards over the rear. The whole exctting episode lasted only four or five minutes. Of the people along the route, whose warm greetings he was every few mini utes acknowledging, the President said:

sideration. They rarely haya a chance to see a President, and when they do their enthusiasm is of the moat genuine and hearty character.” J At Johnstown and at many another point cheerß,'and sometimes guns, were tieard. Torches, lanterns and flambeaux were waved, hut the people were invisible from the brilliantly lighted interior. At a point,called Grapeviile, about twenty itji'es west, of Pittsburg,the train was halted, and' its occupants were summoned t 6 the rear platform. A roaring sound, as of escaping steam from the pipes of an impatient ocean steamer, was heard from the hillside a hundred rods away to the left, but nothing was visible except the lights in a few scattered farm houses in toe neighborhood. Developments were awaited- in silence. Now some one on the hillside lighted’ a Roman candle and aimed its discharges towards the jioint whence the roaring came, and soon a flame ten feet broad leaped in thV air to the height of a hundred feet.showingthe nearer hillsides in a weird, uncanny fashion, and more dimly bringing out the ghosts of those behind. Again, from over the hilltop to the right leaped another great dame, and these hirsed and roared together until the train was out of sight. “Is it not wonderful,” queried Mrs. Cleveland, ‘ how, living so far from the busy centers, they learn exactly when the train is due. Somehow they do learn it, for they are all on hand.” At Pitisburg the train Btopped five minutes. The ladies of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union were also present,jn the office of the superintendent, and had with them a floral offering for Mrs. Cleveland, bearing the inscription; “In thee shall the nations of the earth jje blessed,” Here too was an enormous ctush of people. The President repeated the experience at -Altoona. After leaving Pittsburg the party retired for the night. The train arrived at Indianapolis on schedule time. One hundred thousand people surged on Washington street, the line of m uch, and as the President and his wife, seated in a cirriage with Senator McDonald, were driven toward the State House they were greeted on every hand with hearty Hoosier cheers and the waving of hands and handkerchiefs. The procession which preceded the carriages was made up of the Hendricksc'.nfc of Indianapolis; Buckworth club of Cincinnati; Indianapolis Light Infantry,and followed by Johnson county Hendricks club, Morgan county club, Hendricks county club, Indian apolis mail carriers and several other organizalions. The President was at once driven to the State House where Gov.' Gray delivered an address of welcome, in which he said: - Pereideht Cleveland: In be naif of the people of Indiana. I gieet you, biddingyou welcome to the State and its capital lie assured that the exhibition of popular interest evidenced by this large assemblage of our eitizen* is a man’ifestutation of respect for you not less than for the magistrate. The people of Indiana meet you hero to day to tes ify, by their presence, i lieir reverer.se and respect for theamthority estahliahed by thrirMiffragcs under the constitution and laws of their eouutry. If there are any hero who differ with you os to the wisdom of any of _your official seta, 1 feel that I can safely say that While so differing they can accord to you honesty of purpose and a rinser# desire (• eonserve the public geod. and believe that y u have endeavored to disehargo the duties of your high petition as jou saw and eor.koiemioiji.ly unuerstood them. Your visit 1o this commonwealth occurs at a time w bon all our interest aud industries have fairly felt the impetus of advancement and piosperity imparted to them by an administration of national affairs, prudent, pare, peaceable, loval to the constitution and genius of the Republic. You siand iu our midst the Chosen magistrate of 1 sixty millions of freemen, the r preset)talire of constitutional liberty, ai~td--on the grand and in-det-ffuotive ttuioifof the states; each distinct us the wave-one as the, sea-for the upholding of which Indiana has given her Choicest blood and treasure. So elosely, so frequently, are the territorial limits of Indiana crorsvd by the numerous lines of travel between the east and west, that itidiapolis may properly be Ojillyd the Gateway of the VVe-t. To-dav iliy fiat* ia thrown - widely open, with the wish tliat your entrance and sojourn •here may he as pleasant to you ns it is to us; that vour further journey beyond may be safe and fortunate: aud rest assured you will have the ferventwishi s of the people of Indiana for your safety, during every step of your journey, eoupl--ed Willi the hope that you may return to the capitol with health replenished and energies jenewed for the di.rctliTge of the r< sponsible duties devolving upon youas th« chief magistrate of this great republic. It is only to be regretted that 'an Wtaa«fi«(s*k;cUi**h *of our own statu, wli<w“! path lay near your own iu honor aud service, is ! not here to join the' felicitations of an oscasion pivhlsli h# would have so much enjoyed. To you. Mr. President, as the guest of Indiana, find in bchai'f of her.two and a half million of •itizeus, 1 again Jad-iam Jbriee welcsni* to the sWte'auil to the hospitalities of its capital. The President responded as follows: Governor, and FeVow-Oitizebs of Indiana: v\ hen I received the hearty invitation from the people of Indianapolis ami through their Governor the invitation of the people of Indiana, to stop upon my travel and see them and their capital city, Iwas not long in determining that mv road should lead tne this way; and i am sitichh-iy giad that I have the opportunity afforded by my sho t sojourn here, to view the goodly proportions of yosr thriving aud prosperous city. The people of Indiana have much cause for songratulntion in their varied products, in their pubtie edmatiomU advantages, in their oharitabie institutions aud in all tn it contributes tomakea giewing and great city. Hut It seems to me th it not the least cause of an Indianan’s pride Should he his State capital. . Settled iu lone year lle-r.-atier its population numbered fifteen families. Cliosai tis the seat _of government in 1821 it was about that time laid out into a town andi received its present name. Though not incorporated until Ibdo and receiving it., city charter only in 18-17, forty years has given you tbiy city of 1001)00 or upwarcLdf inbabitaiKs, and! of the business enterprise, aud the features ivhfch make a prosperous ’American city.' I shall not dwell iu'oetuiT upon the features of your city which are daily under own observation. An old resident -tells me that your state capital may be rea Bed directly ! i >y- r.iilhoatT frtMnrt-vt-r- - jrmTity in the State:trie I two; and it M-eia.s-.o liie U.e p.cple that retrtfV hcre iiiti't be vc y active and restless or ve y social; or both. for lam shre you will tliid tha’t Indianapolis 1 has more miles of street -railway than auy other city ill the United SLa tea. I must not omit to congratulate the people of .Indiana and Indianapolis upon a careful and eebhomiyal administration ot Urn public affairs. One proof of it now beautitihs your capital, for I am told that vour handsome, soacious -State Hall just completed.was actually built within its limit of expense, oiiginally fixed, in these days of waste umf extravagance and of miscalculation in I regard to public buildings, that is a thing so tinlisilal that it should be a cause for vbTir congratulation. So, far as your city is concerned, it has been lately reported as having the lowest tax rate “upon its valuation of any city iu the United States except two. 1 am very much impressed at this moment by another thought connected with your city. Its suggestion cannot fail to awaken in vour mind, affectionate sentiments, and its - object attracts the regard and interest of to*whole people to this place, fn this place there lived and (lied a mau. your neighbor and your friend, whose name was a household word throughout the nation, having the respect u.nd contidenee of .his

the highest civic trusts, a loyal, tme son of Indiana, amid all his honors he hover forgot his fellow citizen* of tb# State, nor his fcllow-towns- | men of Indianapolis; and while he loved yon I well, he bronght honor to you by a faithful por- | formaheo of the functions of high public office : and by a firm adherence andflevotfon to patrlo£ j ic principles. All will join yon in a tender re- ! spect for tils memory,and kindly,tender thought* of the whole people will be directed to this city rh the lived and died your d!»tinguished fellow townsman, and inhere mortmains rest amid the surroundings he so much enjoyed, it is thcrefoie gratifying th me to meet you to day, not qply as fellow-citizens of Indiana and Indianapolis, hut to greet you as the friends and neighbors of the man.honored by the nation aud connected with me.by the ties of friend hip, by the fortunes of political life, and in the diaj charge of public duty. [Applau c,] The President and Mrs. Cleveland j then held a reception in the Governor’s i reception rooms. It is estimated 40,000 ! people passed before the pasty. The party wgs than shown Ihrough the State House, and then went to the home of Mrs. Hendricks, where a few minutes were spent ir social conversation; and partook of lunch. The party then went to ihe residence of Ex-Sena-tor McDonald when lunch was again served. Tt.e procession was then reformed and marched to the depot. All the Congressmen and nearly every prominent public man of the State were present. The train arrived at Terre Hautein time, although leaving Indianapolis one hour late. Here an immense crowd again welcomed the President and his party. Hon. W. H, Thompson delivered an address of welcome, to which the President responded briefly. •'The party were almost immediately driven to the train, and left for St. Louis. As the train moved off a hundred hands were stretched upward and their owners sought to follow the train, many clinging to the railing and clamoring for the coveted grasp. “No,” said the President, “I’ll shake no hands from a moving train; some of you will get killed or hurt, I want no such responsibility.” The President arrived at East St. Louis at 11:45 p. m., and alighted at the Eastern abutment of the bridge on the Illinois side of the river, vt here he was met by the citizens’ committee. The dungeon walls kept out the crowd and gave ample space for the party to get into their carriages without a crush. Mayor Francis accompanied tfie President and his wife, and with a guard of twenty police, the party started across the bridge at a brisk trot. The appearance of the party on the bridge was the signal for a burst of cheers and a glare of fire works. The walks of the bridge were crowded with people, who followed the carriage on the run. A banner stretched across the bridge at the Missouri line gave “Welcome to Missouri.” At the entrance to the city a dense mass of people almost blocked road, but a charge of the mounted police cleared the way, and the cheers, already great, swelled into an ovation as the party passed the gates at the Western end of the bridge. The President was driven to the residence of Mayor Francis, whose guest he was while in St. Louis. On Sunday the party attended the Washington Avenue Presbyterian church and visited Shaw’s garden. On Monday they were escorted to the fair grounds, and given a hearty greeting by an immense throng of people. Mrs. Cleveland was given a reception at the residence of Mrs. Scanlan. The President was also given a reception at the Merchants Exchange. At 6 o’clock a public reception was given at the Liudell hotel by the President and his wife. Afterward they visited the exposition, and afterward witnessed an immense demonstraiion and procession, winding up with a seranade.