"Be welcome, distinguished visitor!" This phrase, so often addressed to
you during your voyage in Brazil, may now be said again to express the
sincerity with which the people of Sao Paulo receive the visit of one of
the greatest statesmen of modern America.
Amongst the institutions of education of this city there is the Normal
School, which has always tried to follow the methods and systems in use
in your great country.
In the name of this institution and representing my colleagues, I come
before you, sir, to repeat, with all my heart, the words you have heard
so many times in Brazil: "Welcome, Mr. Root!"