and beautiful pictures that have been spread before our eyes on this
whole journey from Washington. I am glad to stop for a moment in this
enterprising and prosperous city. I am glad to know that you are
adding manufacturing to your agriculture, and that you are weaving
some of the abundance of wool that is furnished by your flocks. It is
the perfection of society, commercially, when you find immediately
at your own doors a market for those things that you have to sell.
You are a long way from the seaboard. The transportation companies,
however fair their rates may be, must levy very heavy tolls upon your
produce for taking it to the Atlantic or to the Pacific. It is then
a pleasing thing when, instead of sending your wool to some distant
city to be woven into cloth, you can do that work yourselves as you
develop, bringing in these manufacturing industries whose employees
consume the products of your farm and in turn give to the farmer that
which he and his children have to wear. You are approaching the most
independent commercial condition. When every farmer is able to sell
from his own wagon everything he produces and is emancipated from
transportation tolls, he is independent and prosperous.
I am glad to see these dear children here coming from the free
schools of your city. The public school is a most wholesome and
hopeful institution. It has an assimilative power possessed by no
other institution in our country. Where the children of rich and poor
mingle together on the play-ground and in the school-room, there is
produced a unity of feeling and a popular love for public institutions
that can be brought about in no other way. [Cheers.] God bless and
promote your public schools until every child in your Territory shall
be gathered into them. [Cheers.]
AMERICAN FORK, UTAH, MAY 9.
Early in the afternoon a brief stop was made at American Fork, where
several hundred children were marshalled under Bishop George Halliday
(Mormon) and Rev. F. G. Webster. The Reception Committee consisted of
Mayor George Cunningham, James Chipman, John J. Cushing, and John F.
Pribyl.
The President, addressing the school children, said:
I want to express my interest in these dear children who have
gathered here. It is very pleasant to have at all these little
stations these expressions of your good-will. I rejoice to see the
development which has taken place in these regions since I was here a
few years ago, and I have no doubt that it will go on until all your
valleys are prosperous and full of happy homes. [Cheers.]
SPRINGVILLE, UTAH, MAY 9.
As the presidential train reached Castle Gate, a mining town on the
summit of the Wahsatch Mountains, the people turned out _en masse_. A
salute was fired with dynamite cartridges. The President briefly thanked
the people for their greeting.
At Springville, the last stopping-point in Utah, the committee that
welcomed the President consisted of Don C. Johnson, Joseph M. Westwood,
H. M. Dougall, R. A. Deal, and Anthony Ethier.
Governor Thomas introduced President Harrison, who said:
_My Friends_--Your towns in Utah are very close together. I scarcely
close an address at one before we are in the corporate limits of
another; but I am glad to receive here this pleasant welcome. The
evidence of kindliness which I read in all your faces is very
reassuring and very comforting. It is delightful, I think, to those
who are charged with public duties to come now and then and look
into the faces of the people who have no other interest than that
the Government shall be well administered. [Cheers.] I cannot hope,
of course, to give a post office to everybody. I have endeavored in
the selection of those who are to administer the functions of public
office for the general Government to secure good men. I have desired
that everywhere they should understand that they were the servants of
the people [applause], that they were to give the best public service
possible, and that they were to treat everybody alike.
It has been very pleasant to-day to ride through this most
extraordinary valley, and to notice how productive your fields are and
how genial and kindly your people are. [Cheers.]
I am to do whatever I can in public office to serve our people.
I am glad to contribute whatever I can as a citizen to the general
prosperity and to the glory and dignity of our country. [Cheers.]
And now one word or two to these few comrades who gather about me.
They are not many, but they are entitled to honor. Those who struggled
in the early years to establish homes in the West, and those who in
the hour of public distress and peril bared their breasts to the
shaft of battle that the Nation might live, are worthy of the highest
regard. [Cheers.] You have entered into the heritage which they
bought and preserved. May you, with as true, loyal hearts as they,
preserve and hand down to your children these institutions. [Cheers.]
GLENWOOD SPRINGS, COLORADO, MAY 10.
At an early hour Sunday morning, May 10, the presidential party arrived
at Glenwood Springs, where they were met by the Governor of Colorado,
Hon. J. L. Routt, Chief-Justice J. C. Helm, Hon. N. P. Hill, ex-Senator
H. A. W. Tabor, and Congressman Townsend, from Denver. At 8 o'clock
the Hon. J. L. Hodges, Mayor of the city, with Judge G. D. Thayer,
L. Schwarz, C. W. Darrow, J. H. Fesler, F. Mager, and M. W. Mather,
escorted the party to the Hotel Glenwood, where they passed the day. The
President and Postmaster-General Wanamaker attended divine services at
the Presbyterian Church. The pastor, Rev. W. S. Rudolph, was assisted by
Rev. A. E. Armstrong, of Leadville, and Rev. L. N. Haskell, of Denver,
Chaplain of the State Senate. The city was filled with thousands of
visitors from Aspen and other neighboring mining towns and camps until
over 10,000 people were gathered--notwithstanding it was the Sabbath--to
greet the Chief Magistrate of the Nation.
When the President returned from witnessing several members of his party
enjoy a dip in the mammoth pool he was met by Mayor Hodges at the head
of the following Reception Committee of prominent citizens: Joseph Love,
A. W. Dennis, Reed Burritt, F. C. Ewing, F. S. Dart, F. C. Sohram, H.
C. Eaton, J. R. De Remer, Alex. Anderson, A. W. Dennis, Miles Standish,
J. L. Hays, W. H. Hallett, H. R. Kamm, J. T. McLean, W. H. Bradt, J.
R. Wallingford, J. G. Pease, Paul Blount, J. H. Campbell, C. B. Ellis,
B. T. Napier, Thomas Kendrick, E. T. Wolverton, Fred Korupkat, C. A.
Lee, Dr. G. H. Moulton, M. V. B. Blood, James Leach, P. F. Carr, George
Edinger, W. H. Spear, Joseph Enzensperger, C. M. Keck, J. W. Beaman, J.
M. Stevens, R. O. Hoover, E. Schuster, J. W. Ross, William Chrisman, G.
H. Ferris, F. A. Enoch, Frank Lindsley, Frank Kaiser, J. A. I. Claudon,
F. A. Barlow, Ed. B. Everett, N. Falk, H. C. Bunte, H. W. Ennen, William
Dougan, Dr. L. G. Clark, James Anderson, Chris. Beck, J. S. Swan, H. J.
Holmes, James Coughlin, S. H. Wood, John Miller, N. S. Henderson, J. M.
Durand, Jr., Matt. Carroll, John Lynch, W. H. Trumbor, S. W. Nott, B.
Hopkins, William Houston, C. V. Noble, C. M. Kiggins, Dr. E. A. Bryant,
J. N. Bishop, William Denning, A. Miller, J. H. Connor, C. H. Belding,
William Dinkle, C. L. Todd, George Yule, C. A. Hahn, H. H. Gates, James
Soister, C. C. Hendrie, P. R. Morris, J. L. Noonan, Fred L. Walthers,
T. W. Thomas, C. C. Parks, J. T. Shumate, Wm. Gelder, M. J. Bartley, A.
E. Bartlett, John McReavy, W. S. Parkinson, Frank Dallis, E. H. Watson,
J. H. Bixby, Jake Kline, M. M. Cantrell, J. H. Pierce, C. C. Streeter,
E. T. Taylor, John Eitel, P. C. Coryell, Frank Mason, Fred Korn, W.
H. Richardson, H. C. Babize, George Bennett, Frank Lyle, J. F. Myser,
R. Stees, J. W. Ritter, R. P. Mallaby, W. De Long, L. F. Grace, Ed.
Meachem, Andrew Anderson, Joe Keating, W. H. Sikes, W. L. Willoughby,
T. R. Williams, J. W. Dollison, Alex. Voorhees, Theo. Rosenberg, H. T.
Sale, S. J. De Lan, William Cardnell, G. B. Garrison, R. M. Hedden, P.
H. Fitzpatrick, C. W. Durand, Kellie Cookson, Albert Gerstle, F. P.
Monroe, William Shaw, C. J. Feist, E. E. Knight, George Phillips, Ed. S.
Hughes, D. W. Smart, P. G. Foote, W. T. Beans, C. Poole, J. H. Mager, W.
J. Brennan, Murdo McLeod, J. E. Chaney, A. W. Maxfield, William Smith,
A. M. Stevenson, C. B. Brown, M. N. Edwards, and Harry Van Sickle.
The Mayor made the welcoming address and presented the President with a
solid silver plate, superbly engraved with the coat-of-arms of Colorado.
President Harrison replied:
_Mr. Mayor and Fellow-citizens_--In arranging the programme of this
trip, and desiring to find one day in the seven for rest, we selected
this spot because of its fame throughout the East as one of delightful
location and natural attractions. I am glad this selection was made.
It has given me much pleasure--the beauty of your surroundings
and especially the picturesque attractiveness and magnificence of
the scenery. The city which you are launching forth upon the tide
of usefulness and prosperity will grow in fame. I thank you most
cordially for this souvenir, and I leave with you my most earnest hope
for the prosperity of the city.
Senator Tabor introduced a delegation from Aspen representing 1,000
miners from that famous camp. Col. E. F. Browne then presented a most
unique souvenir--a silver card bearing mottoes worked in native wire
silver.
In accepting this rare token the President said:
This is one of the most beautiful of all the souvenirs that have
been presented me on this trip. I wish to say to you that I do not
regard your visit as an intrusion. I will not undertake to dilate upon
the fatigue of this trip. I have been leaning over the hind rail of
the train for a long time, and I came to Glenwood Springs tired. I
wish to remain quiet, not from any puritanical notion of the Sabbath,
and I hope none of you will feel that way. It is not because I don't
want to see you. It is the contrary, I assure you, and I regret my
inability to give you all a public reception.
I have for Aspen and her people the kindest wishes. As for the State
of Colorado, it will grow more vigorous and richer in all that makes
an American commonwealth.
In common with Western States, Colorado has had the pick of the
people of the Eastern States. It seems to me as though her citizens
had passed competitive examination for push and enterprise, and only
the worthless were turned back at the ferry. I thank you for your
liberality.
Charles R. Bell, of Aspen, State President Patriotic Order Sons of
America, presented the President with an address. In the afternoon
President Harrison and Mr. Wanamaker attended union services and
children's mass-meeting at Durand's Hall. Rev. H. M. Law presided, but
Mayor Hodges introduced the President, who said:
_Mr. Mayor, Fellow-citizens and Children_--Our stop at Glenwood
Springs was, as you all know, intended to be for rest; and yet I
have not felt that I could deny myself to this large body of friends
assembled from the homes of this city, and, perhaps, to an even larger
body of friends who have come from some of the neighboring towns to
pay their respects and testify their good-will. The trip we have
been making has been a prolonged one, and it has been a continued
experience of speech-making and hand-shaking. The physical labor has
been very great, and I think if one had been called upon to do the
same amount of work without the stimulus and inspiration which have
come from the happy faces and kind hearts of the people who have
greeted us, almost any man would have given out. Certainly I would had
I not been borne up and helped by the wonderful kindness of our people.
I have been intensely interested in what I have seen. It has
testified to me of the unity of the people East and West. Out here
you take on some peculiarities as we do in Indiana, but underneath
these peculiarities there is the same true American grit and spirit.
[Applause.] It is not wonderful that this should be so. It is not a
mere likeness between different people, because you are precisely
the same people that I have known in the Central and Eastern States.
Everywhere I have gone I have seen Hoosiers; everywhere Mr. Wanamaker
has gone he has seen Pennsylvanians; everywhere General Rusk has gone
Wisconsin hands have been reached up to him. These new States have
been filled up by the enterprising and pushing young men of the older
States. They have set out to find here greater advantages, more rapid
pathways to wealth and competence. Many of them have found it, many of
them are still perhaps in the hard struggle of life; but to you all,
to every man, whether he is mine-owner or handles the pick, I bring
you my warmest sympathy and my most sincere thanks for your friendly
greeting. [Applause.]
Our Government was instituted by wise men--men of broad views. It
was based upon the idea of the equal rights of men. It absolutely
rejects the idea of class distinction and insists that men should
be judged by their behavior. That is a good rule; those who are
law-abiding and well-disposed, those who pursue their vocations
lawfully and with due respect to the rights of others, are the true
American citizens. I am glad to know that the love of our institutions
is so deeply imbedded in your hearts. It has been a most delightful
and cheering thing to see that the starry banner, the same old flag
that some of you carried amid the smoke of battle, the rattle of
musketry, booming of cannon, and the dying of men, is in the hands of
such children. [Applause.] Some of the prettiest as well as some of
the most hopeful sights we have looked upon have been these companies
of children gathered on the streets or hill-sides waving this banner.
The American institutions deserve our watchful care. All our
communities should be careful in the beginning to establish law and
maintain it. It is very difficult when lawlessness once obtains the
upper hand to put it down. It is very easy to keep it out of any
community if the well-disposed, true-hearted people will sink all
their differences, religious and political, and stand together as
citizens for the good of their municipalities. [Applause.]
I want to thank the children who have gathered for this
Sabbath-day's observance. I have had a life that has been full of
labor. From my early manhood until this hour my time has had many
demands upon it. I have been under the pressure of the practice of
my profession. I have been under the pressure of political campaigns
and of public office, and yet in all these pursuits, and under all
these conditions, I have found, simply as a physical question, without
reference to its religious aspects at all, that I could do more by
working six days than seven.
I think you will all find it so, and that as a civil institution
rest on the Sabbath day is good for man. It is not only good, but it
is the right of the workingman. Men should have one free day in which
to think of their families, of themselves, of things that are not
material, but are spiritual. [Applause.]
I desire to express from a sincere and earnest heart my thanks to
you all for all your kindness, giving you in return simply the pledge
that I will in all things keep in mind what seems to me to be the true
interests of our people. I have no thought of sections, I have no
thought upon any of the great public questions that does not embrace
the rights and interests of all our people and all our States. I
believe we shall find a common interest and safe ground upon all the
great questions, and by moderating our own views and making reasonable
and just concessions we shall find them all settled wisely and in the
true interest of the people. [Applause.]
LEADVILLE, COLORADO, MAY 11.
Leadville, the Cloud City, was reached at 7:30 A.M. Monday. Ten thousand
citizens greeted the Chief Magistrate at this greatest of silver camps.
The following delegation met the presidential party at Glenwood and
escorted them to Leadville: His Honor Mayor John E. Foutz, Hon. H. I.
Higgins, W. Arens, John Harvey, A. Sherwin, A. V. Hunter, S. F. Maltby,
John Ewing, John Williams, W. F. Patrick, H. C. Burnett, Rev. A. E.
Armstrong, Mrs. Foutz, Mrs. Hunter, Mrs. Morgan H. Williams, and Mrs.
E. Forbes. The ladies of this committee presented Mrs. Harrison with
numerous beautiful silver souvenirs.
Chairman Higgins and the following members of the Reception Committee
escorted the party to the Hotel Kitchen: Mrs. W. F. Patrick, W. W. Old,
Mrs. J. Y. Oliver, A. A. Blow, Mrs. H. W. Hardinge, Charles Cavender,
Rev. E. S. Ralston, B. S. Buell, Samuel Brown, A. Sherwin, Robert Estey,
H. R. Pendery, Charles L. Hill, J. S. Jones, Robert Cary, Geo. W.
Trimble, C. P. Schumacher, J. S. Saunders, John Harvey, J. H. Weddle,
John Nowland, W. F. Patrick, Hon. Wm. Kellogg, Frank G. White, John
F. Champion, James Smith, Moses Londoner, J. J. M. McRobbie, Maj. A.
V. Bohn, and John Lumsden. The veterans of Garfield Post, G. A. R.,
composed the guard of honor. Judge Luther M. Goddard made the welcoming
address, and in the name of the city presented the distinguished visitor
a silver brick.
The President responded as follows:
_Mr. Mayor and Fellow-citizens_--This rare, pure atmosphere, this
bright sunshine, the national colors, this multitude of lifted,
smiling faces to greet us is a scene that should raise the dullest
heart to emotions of thankfulness and pride--pride wholly separated
from personal considerations, a pride in which everything personal
is swallowed up by the contemplation that all this is the outcome,
the manifestation, the culmination of free American institutions.
[Cheers.] We stand here on this mountain-top and see what I think
is the highest evidence of American pluck to be found in the United
States. [Laughter and applause.] I have addressed my fellow-citizens
on many thousands of occasions, but never before stood so near
the dome. [Cheers.] It is a wonderful testimony to the energy and
adaptation of the American that he should have pushed his way to this
high altitude, above the snow-line, and erected here these magnificent
and extensive industries and these beautiful and happy homes. I
rejoice with you in all that has been accomplished here.
I bring thanks to you for that great contribution you have made to
the wealth of a country we all love. [Cheers.] I bring to you the
assurance that as an individual citizen and as a public officer my
interest, my affection, and my duty embrace all the people of this
land. [Cries of "Good!" and cheers.]
I am glad to know we have in the past history of our country found
that happy unity of interest which has acted beneficially upon all
our institutions and all our people. With due regard to all local
interests, we should seek that general legislation which touches with
kindly fingers the humblest homes in our land. I do most sincerely
thank you for this token of the product of your mines. It is a
precious metal, but much more precious to me is the kindly thought and
the generous welcome which you have given us in Leadville. [Cheers.]
My lungs are unaccustomed to this rare and stimulating atmosphere,
and you will permit me to close by giving you all, to the men who,
deep down in these mines, are toilsomely working out the precious
metal, to those who welcome you in your homes when you return from
your toil, the wives and children who add grace and sweetness to our
lives, to these children who have gathered to greet us, a most cordial
salutation and a regretful good-by. [Cheers.]
BUENA VISTA, COLORADO, MAY 11.
Buena Vista gave the President a cordial greeting. The Committee of
Reception included Mayor Mason, Hon. A. R. Kenedy, Capt. A. V. P. Day,
A. H. Wade, Col. Henry Logan, J. C. Stuart, and A. C. Bottorff. Phil.
Sheridan Post, G. A. R., Col. G. D. Childs Commander, participated in
the reception. Dr. Struthers and W. W. Fay presented the President with
three fine trout caught in Thompson's Lake, and weighing six pounds each.
President Harrison said:
_My Friends_--I am very glad to see your bright and kind faces this
morning, and to tarry for a few moments, just long enough to say "How
do you do?" and "Good-by." It is very pleasant to find everywhere
and at every station the same friendly looks and the same kindly
greeting. I am glad to have an opportunity that I have not previously
had of seeing the State of Colorado, great in her present condition
and having a greater future development than perhaps you yourselves
realize. This combination of agricultural and mining industries can
work but good for the high development of Colorado. Your cattle and
your sheep and your mines and your agriculture in your valleys all
produce that ideal condition of things in which you find a nearer
market for what you raise. I hope the time will come when in addition
to smelting furnaces in your mines you will learn to weave the
wool from your sheep in place of sending it abroad to be made into
clothing. The more you can develop these things and do your own work
the more prosperous will be your condition. These dear children have
cheered me heartily all the way on this journey. The public schools
are worthy of your most thoughtful care. It is there that the children
meet on a common ground. It is there class distinctions are wiped out.
It is the great American institution. You have well named your little
hamlet Buena Vista. [Cheers.]
SALIDA, COLORADO, MAY 11.
Three thousand people from the surrounding district welcomed the
President at Salida. The Reception Committee consisted of Mayor John G.
Hollenbeck, J. H. Stead, S. M. Jackson, W. W. Roller, J. A. Israel, E.
B. Jones, and W. P. Harbottle. Stanton Post, G. A. R., W. G. Westfall
Commander, and the children of the public schools were present. Miss
Clara Ayers, on behalf of the public schools, presented Mrs. Harrison
with a handsome portfolio of Colorado wild flowers prepared by Mrs.
E. P. Chester. Dr. Durbin, on behalf of the citizens of Villa Grove,
presented a fine collection of mineral specimens.
President Harrison spoke as follows:
I have looked with great interest, in passing through these
mountain gorges, at the enterprise of the people who have constructed
intersecting lines of railroad upon these difficult grades and
through threatening cañons. It has not been many days since such
feats of engineering would have been regarded as impossible, and yet
now railroads have touched the highest points, have gone above the
snow line, have reached elevated mines, and brought isolated valleys
into rapid and easy communication with the more settled parts of the
country. It has given me great pleasure to look upon the beautiful
valley in which the town of Salida is situated, and which will
undoubtedly be capable of large agricultural production when a system
of irrigation is completed. It might be desirable to the people of
Indiana and Illinois and other agricultural States if Colorado had
to buy her wheat and corn from them, but our larger interest makes
it desirable that every community should supply its own wants. I
anticipate with pleasure the day when these mountain States will
not be content with mining, but shall add agricultural pursuits and
manufacturing, and when the wool which is sheared from the flocks will
be woven at home. [Cheers.]
It is a pleasant condition of things when all classes are
prosperous, when the workingman has fair wages that leave him some
margin above his daily necessities. I should lose hope for our
institutions when there should be despairing classes among us. An
American citizen could not be a good citizen who did not have hope in
his heart. Every boy, however humble, can pass through our public
schools and climb to any position of usefulness and honor he has
the ability to attain. There have been marvellous instances of what
courage and pluck and intelligence may do in this way.
To the children I give a cordial greeting. They have been a happy
feature of almost every gathering in the journey. I hope they may
all receive that attention which will make them men and women of
intelligence, and capable of taking a full share in all these good
things in the community and in the State, for which they are to be
responsible. [Cheers.]
CAÑON CITY, COLORADO, MAY 11.