Part 30

What hinders us, secure in the market of our own great population, from successful competition in the markets of the world? What hinders our people, possessing every element of material wealth and endowed with inventive genius and energy unsurpassed, from having again upon the seas a merchant marine flying the flag of our country and carrying its commerce into every sea and every port?

I am glad to stand for this moment among you, glad to express my sympathy with you in every enterprise that tends to develop your State and local communities; glad to stand with you upon the one common platform of respect to the Constitution and the law, differing in our policies as to what the law should be, but pledged with a common devotion and obedience to law as the majority shall by their expressions make it.

I shall carry away from here a new impulse to public duty, a new inspiration as a citizen with you of a country whose greatness is only dawning. And may I now express the pleasure I shall have in every good that comes to you as a community and to each of you as individuals? May peace, prosperity, and social order dwell in your communities, and the fear and love of God in every home! [Cheers.]

JOHNSON CITY, TENNESSEE, APRIL 14. 1891

The President was welcomed at Johnson City by 3,000 people. S. K. N. Patton Post, G. A. R, with Maj. A. Cantwell, J. M. Erwin, and W. Hodges, acted as a guard of honor to the Chief Magistrate. The committee to receive and entertain the President comprised: Mayor Ike T. Jobe, Hon. W. G. Mathes, President Board of Trade; Hon. T. F. Singiser, Hon. A. B. Bowman, Hon. B. F. Childress, Thos. E. Matson, Jas. M. Martin, J. C. Campbell, H. C. Chandler, J. W. Cox, C. W. Marsh, L. W. Wood, J. A. Mathes, H. W. Hargraves, J. F. Crumley, M. N. Johnson, and W. W. Kirkpatrick.

Congressman Alfred A. Taylor presented the President, who spoke as follows:

_My Fellow-citizens_--The office of President of the United States is one of very high honor and is also one of very high responsibility. No man having conscientiously at heart the good of the whole people, whose interests are, under the law, in some degree committed to his care, can fail to feel a most oppressive sense of inadequacy when he comes to the discharge of these high functions.

Elected under a system of government which gives to the majority of our people who have expressed their wishes through constitutional methods the right to choose their public servants, when he has taken the oath that inducts him into office he becomes the servant of all the people, and while he may pursue the advocacy of those measures to which the people have given their approval by his choice, he should always act and speak with a reserve and a respect for the opinion of others that shall not alienate from him the good-will of his fellow-citizens, without regard to political belief.

I shall not speak of what has been done, but I have a supreme regard for the honor of the Nation, a profound respect for the Constitution, and a most sincere desire to meet the just expectations of my fellow-citizens. I am not one of those who believe that the good of any class can be permanently and largely attained except upon lines which promote the good of all our people.

I rejoice in the Union of the States. I rejoice to stand here in East Tennessee among a people who so conspicuously and at such sacrifice during the hour of the Nation's peril stood by the flag and adhered to their convictions of public duty [cheers]; and I am especially glad to be able to say that those who, following other views of duty, took sides against us in that struggle, without division in voice or heart to-day praise Almighty God that He preserved us one Nation. [Cheers.]

There is no man, whatever his views upon the questions that then divided us, but, in view of the marvellous benefits which are disseminating themselves over these States, must also bless God to-day that slavery no longer exists and that the Union of free States is indissoluble. [Cheers.]

What is it that has stirred the public of this great region, that has kindled these furnace fires, that has converted these retired and isolated farms upon which you and your ancestors dwelt into centres of trade and mechanical pursuits, bringing a market close to the door of the farmer and bringing prosperity into every home? It is that we have no line of division between the States; it is that these impulses of freedom and enterprise, once limited in their operations, are now common in all the States. We have a common heritage. The Confederate soldier has a full, honorable, and ungrudged participation in all the benefits of a great and just Government. [Cheers.]

I do not doubt to-day that these would be among the readiest of our population to follow the old flag if it should be assailed from any quarter. [Cheers.]

Now, my fellow-countrymen, I can pause but a moment with you. It does me good to look into your faces, to receive these evidences of your good-will. I hope I may have guidance and courage in such time as remains to me in public life conscientiously to serve the public good and the common glory of our beloved country. [Great cheering.]

JONESBORO, TENNESSEE, APRIL 14.

At Jonesboro, the oldest city in Tennessee and the ancient capital of the State of Franklin, the President was the recipient of a most cordial welcome. All the residents of the town seemed to be present. Among the prominent citizens who participated in the greeting were: Mayor I. E. Reeves, Judge Newton Hacker, R. M. May, Col. T. H. Reeves, A. J. Patterson, S. H. Anderson, Capt. A. S. Deaderick, James H. Epps, Jacob Leab, S. H. L. Cooper, Judge A. J. Brown, John D. Cox, E. H. West, J. A. Febuary, T. B. Hacker, R. N. Dosser, Capt. Geo. McPherson, and Chancellor J. P. Smith.

General Harrison's allusion to John Sevier and his struggle to establish the State of Franklin elicited hearty applause. He spoke as follows:

_My Fellow-citizens_--We tarry but a moment at this ancient and interesting city, whose story goes back, I think, to the establishment of the State of Franklin, of which perhaps not all of you, certainly not these little ones, ever heard, which John Sevier attempted to set up as an independent commonwealth.

But yet it is not of antiquity that I desire to speak, for ancient history is not of the greatest interest to you now. The Scripture speaks, I think--my Postmaster-General is near, and if I fall into error will correct me [laughter]--of a time when the old things shall pass away and all things shall become new. Tennessee is realizing that beatitude; the old things, the old way of doing things, the stiff clay and steep mountain roads have passed away and the steam-car has come.

The old times of isolation in these valleys, when these pioneers, some of whom I see, made their frontier homes, have passed away, and influences from the outside have come; life has been made easier to men and easier to the toiling women who used to carry the water from the spring at the bottom of the hill in a piggin, but who now by modern appliances have it brought into the kitchen.

You have come to know now that not only the surface of the soil has wealth in it, but that under the surface there are vast sources of wealth to gladden the homes of your people and to bring with new industries a thrifty population. But of all these old things that have passed away and the new ones that have come, I am sure you are exultantly glad in this region, where there was so much martyrdom for the flag, so much exile, so much suffering, that the one Union, the one Constitution, and the one flag might be preserved, to know that those old strifes have passed away, and that a period of fraternity has come when all men are for the flag and all for the Constitution, when it has been forever put out of the minds of all people that this Union can be dissolved or this Constitution overthrown. [Great cheering.]

On all these new things I congratulate the citizens of Tennessee. Turn your faces to the morning, for the sun is lightening the hill-tops; there is coming to our country a great growth, an extraordinary development, and you are to be full participants in it all. While other nations of the world have reached a climax in their home development, and are struggling to parcel out remote regions of the earth that their commerce may be extended, we have here prodigious resources that are yet to be touched by the finger of development, and we have the power, if we will, to put our flag again on the sea and to share in the world's commerce. [Cheers.]

GREENVILLE, TENNESSEE, APRIL 14.

The home of President Andrew Johnson--Greenville, Tenn.--gave the President a cordial greeting through its welcoming committee, consisting of Mayor John M. Brabson, Aldermen A. N. Shown, J. D. Britton, E. C. Miller, and W. H. Williams; also Burnside Post, G. A. R., W. T. Mitchell Commander; A. J. Frazier, and the children of the public schools, in charge of Principal L. McWhisler.

President Harrison said:

_My Fellow-citizens_--The arrangements for our journey will not permit me to tarry with you long. I thank you most sincerely for this cordial demonstration. I rejoice to see in the hands of the children here that banner of glory which is the symbol of our greatness and the promise of our security.

I am glad that by the common consent of all our people, without any regard to past differences, we have once and forever struck hands upon the proposition that from the lakes to the gulf, from the St. Lawrence to the Bay of California, there shall be one flag and one Constitution. [Great cheering.] The story that it brings to us from the time of its adoption as our national emblem is one in which we may all find instruction and inspiration. It is the flag of the free.

It symbolizes a government most aptly expressed by the greatest statesman of the people, Abraham Lincoln, to be "a government of the people, by the people, and for the people"--a government that spreads a sky of hope above the head of every child, that has abolished all class distinctions, and has opened all places of eminence and usefulness in the state and in commerce to the ambitious and energetic young man.

This city has given to the country a conspicuous illustration in your distinguished former fellow-citizen, Andrew Johnson, of what free institutions may do, and what an aspiring young man may do against all adverse conditions in life. To every one perfect freedom is guaranteed within the limits of due respect to the rights of others. Thanking you again for this presence and friendly greeting, I bid you good-by.

MORRISTOWN, TENNESSEE, APRIL 14.

At Morristown several thousand citizens and residents of Hamblen, Cocke, Grainger, and Jefferson counties assembled to greet the President. The Reception Committee was Mayor W. S. Dickson, R. L. Gaut, H. Williams, W. H. Maze, A. S. Jenkins, and James A. Goddard. At the conclusion of the President's speech an old grizzled veteran stepped upon the platform, and reaching out his hand said: "Mr. President, I was in that Atlanta campaign, on the other side, and helped to keep you back, but now the war is over I'm proud to take your hand." The President showed great pleasure at this greeting, and held the old soldier's hand several minutes, the spectators meanwhile cheering lustily. A large number of ex-Confederates witnessed this incident.

President Harrison's speech on the occasion was as follows:

_My Fellow citizens_--It will not be possible for me to speak to you for more than a moment, and yet I cannot refuse, in justice to my own feelings, to express my deep appreciation of your cordial reception. I visit to-day for the first time East Tennessee, but it is a region in which I have always felt a profound interest and for whose people I have always entertained a most sincere respect.

It seems to be true in the history of man that those who are called to dwell among mountain peaks, in regions where the convulsions of nature have lifted the rocks toward the sky, have always been characterized by a personal independence of character, by a devotion to liberty, and by courage in defence of their rights and their homes. The legends that cluster about the mountain peaks of Scotland and the patriotic devotion that makes memorable the passes of Switzerland have been repeated in the mountains of East Tennessee.

In those periods of great struggles, when communications were difficult and often interrupted, the hearts of the people of Indiana went out to the beleaguered friends of the Union beyond the Cumberland Gap. I am glad to know that it is no longer difficult to reach you for succor or for friendly social intercourse, for travel has been quickened and made easy. Some one mentioned just now that it was only four hours and a half from Chattanooga to Atlanta. That is not my recollection [laughter]; I think we spent as many months making that trip. [Laughter.]

I am glad to know that now, by the consent of all your people, without regard to the differences that separated you then, your highways are open to all of us, without prejudice; that your hearts are true to the Union and the Constitution, and that the high sense of public duty which then characterized you still abides among your people. May your valleys be always full of prosperity, your homes the abode of affection and love, and of all that makes the American home the best of all homes and the sure nursery of good citizens. [Cheers.]

KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE, APRIL 14.

On the evening of the first day of the journey Knoxville was reached. The distinguished travellers were welcomed by a citizens' committee, composed of William Rule, Chairman; Col. E. J. Sanford, Hon. J. C. J. Williams, Hon. L. C. Houk, Col. J. Vandeventer, M. L. Ross, John T. Hearn, Alex. Summers, Wm. M. Baxter, F. A. Moses, John W. Conner, B. R. Strong, Hon. Peter Kern, Capt. W. P. Chamberlain, Col. J. B. Minnis, W. H. Simmonds, John L. Hudiburg, Capt. A. J. Albers, Hon. J. W. Caldwell, and W. P. Smith. After visiting Fort Sanders and viewing the battle-field by twilight the party returned to the city, where a vast audience was assembled.

Col. William A. Henderson introduced the President, who spoke as follows:

_My Fellow-citizens_--It gives me pleasure to visit this historical city--a city that has given to the country many men who have been eminent in its councils and brought to the Nation they served and to the people who called them into the public service great honor. I am glad to visit East Tennessee, the scene of that early immigration and of those early struggles of men who, for vigor of intellect, strength of heart, and devotion to republican principles, were among the most conspicuous of the early pioneers of the West and Southwest.

I am glad to know that that deep devotion to the cause of the Union which manifested itself in the early contributions of Tennessee to the armies that went to the defence of the homes of the Northwest abides still in these valleys and crowns with its glory and lustre every hill-top of the Alleghanies. You are feeling now a material development that is interesting and pleasing to all your fellow-citizens of the States.

I beg to say to you that whoever supposes that there is anywhere in the Northern States any jealousy of this great material progress which the South is making wholly misconceives the friendly heart of the people of the North. It is my wish, as I am sure it is the wish of all with whom I associate in political life, that the streams of prosperity in the South may run bank-full; that in everything that promotes the prosperity of the State, the security and comfort of the community, and the happiness of the individual home, your blessings may be full and unstinted.

We live in a Government of law. The compact of our organization is that a majority of our people, taking those methods which are prescribed by the Constitution and law, shall determine our public policies and choose our rulers. It is our solemn compact; it cannot safely be broken. We may safely differ about policies; we may safely divide upon the question as to what shall be the law; but when the law is once enacted no community can safely divide on the question of implicit obedience to the law.

It is the one rule of conduct for us all. I may not choose as President what laws I will enforce, and the citizen may not choose what laws he will obey. Upon this broad principle our institutions rest. If we save it, all the agitations and tumults of our campaigns, exciting though they may be, will be harmless to move our Government from its safe and abiding foundation.

If we abandon it, all is gone. Therefore, my appeal everywhere is to hold the law in veneration and reverence. We have no other king; public officers are your servants; but in the august and majestic presence of the law we all uncover and bow the knee.

May every prosperity attend you. May this ground, made memorable by one of the most gallant assaults and by one of the most successful defences in the story of the war, never again be stained by blood; but may our people, in one common love of one flag and one Constitution, in a common and pervading fealty to the great principles of our Government, go on to achieve material wealth, and in social development, in intelligence, in piety, in everything that makes a nation great and a people happy, secure all the Lord has in His mind for a Nation that He has so conspicuously blessed. [Great and prolonged cheering.]

CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE, APRIL 15.

Chattanooga was reached Wednesday morning at 8:30 o'clock. The President was received with marked cordiality and enthusiasm by the several thousand citizens assembled at the station. At this point the party was joined by the President's younger brother, Mr. Carter B. Harrison, and his wife, of Murfreesboro, Tenn. The following prominent citizens comprised the committee that received the President: Hon. J. B. Merriam, Mayor of Chattanooga; Hon. H. Clay Evans, Judge David M. Key, H. S. Chamberlain, D. J. O'Connell, Henophen Wheeler, John Crimmins, Maj. J. F. Shipp, Col. Tomlinson Fort, John T. Wilder, Adolph S. Ochs, John B. Nicklin, L. G. Walker, A. J. Gahagan, C. E. James, F. G. Montague, H. M. Wiltse, John W. Stone, J. B. Pound, E. W. Mattson, and Judge Whiteside.

The committee escorted the distinguished guests to the summit of Lookout Mountain. At the Lookout Inn President Harrison pointed out to his immediate companions the spot where he was encamped for a time during the war. From the mountain the party was driven about the city, which was profusely decorated. All the school children in the city stood in front of their respective schools and waved flags and shouted as the President and Mrs. Harrison drove by. Assembled around the platform where the general reception was held were many thousand people.

Ex-Congressman Evans, amid deafening cheers, introduced the President, who said:

_My Fellow-citizens_--I have greatly enjoyed the opportunity of seeing Chattanooga again. I saw it last as the camp of a great army. Its only industries were military, its stores were munitions of war, its pleasant hill-tops were torn with rifle-pits, its civic population the attendants of an army campaign. I see it to-day a great city, a prosperous commercial centre. I see these hill-tops, then bristling with guns, crowned with happy homes; I see these streets, through which the worn veterans of many campaigns then marched, made glad with the presence of happy children. Everything is changed.

The wand of an enchanter has touched these hills, and old Lookout, that frowned over the valleys from which the plough had been withdrawn, now looks upon the peaceful industries of country life. All things are changed, except that the flag that then floated over Chattanooga floats here still. [Cheers.] It has passed from the hand of the veterans, who bore it to victory in battle, into the hands of the children, who lift it as an emblem of peace. [Cheers.] Then Chattanooga was war's gateway to the South; now it is the gateway of peace, commerce, and prosperity. [Cheers.]

There have been two conquests--one with arms, the other with the gentle influences of peace--and the last is greater than the first. [Cheers.] The first is only great as it made way for that which followed; and now, one again in our devotion to the Constitution and the laws, one again in the determination that the question of the severance of the federal relations of these States shall never again be raised, we have started together upon a career of prosperity and development that has as yet given only the signs of what is to come.

I congratulate Tennessee, I congratulate this prosperous city, I congratulate all those who through this gateway give and receive the interchanges of friendly commerce, that there is being wrought throughout our country a unification by commerce, a unification by similarity of institutions and habits, that shall in time erase every vestige of difference, and shall make us, not only in contemplation of the law, but in heart and sympathy, one people. [Cheers.]

I thank you for your cordial greeting to-day, and hope for the development of the industries of our country and for the settling of our institutions upon the firm base of a respect for the law. In this glad springtime, while the gardens are full of blossoms and the fields give promise of another harvest, and your homes are full of happy children, let us thank God for what He has wrought for us as a people, and, each in our place, resolutely maintain the great idea upon which everything is builded--the rule of the majority, constitutionally expressed, and the absolute equality of all men before the law. [Cheers.]

CARTERSVILLE, GEORGIA, APRIL 15.

The first stop after crossing the Georgia State line was Cartersville, where a citizens' committee, headed by M. G. Dobbins, W. H. Howard, and Walter Akerman, received the President, who in response to repeated calls said:

_My Friends_--I am very much obliged to you for coming here in this shower to show your good-will. I can only assure you that I entirely reciprocate your good feelings. I have had great pleasure to-day in passing over some parts of the old route that I took once before under very different and distressing circumstances, to find how easy it is, when we are all agreed, to travel between Chattanooga and Atlanta. I am glad to see the evidences of prosperity that abound through your country, and I wish you in all your relations every human good. [Cheers.]

ATLANTA, GEORGIA, APRIL 15.

"What War has ravaged Commerce can bestow, And he returns a Friend who came a Foe."