Gentlemen—I am sorry to cause even this temporary interruption by leaving the banquet, but I am sure you will all appreciate the desire I have to spend a few minutes under my brother's roof in your city, and will therefore excuse me. Let me say that I very much appreciate the friendly and hospitable spirit of the business men of Kansas City, to whom I am indebted for this banquet and reception. It has never been my pleasure before to visit your city, but it has been well advertised, and I have heard of it frequently. [Laughter and applause.] So far as I could tell by the dim light of the evening in riding through the city, it realizes fully my expectations in growth and prosperity. [Applause.] Let me say, in conclusion, that I hope all your dreams for Kansas City may be realized. [Great applause.]
After passing the evening at his brother's residence, at 8 P.M. the President was escorted by 300 members of the Third Regiment and a cavalry guard, commanded by Col. Milton Moore, to the Chamber of Commerce, where an informal reception was held.
Major William Warner introduced the President, who said:
My Fellow citizens—I will not attempt to say more than that I am very grateful to you for your kindness, for this cordial, genuine Kansas City welcome. [Cheers.] The arrangements which have been made, and which are intended to give me an opportunity to meet some of you personally, and the early hour at which we are to take the train for St. Louis, make it inappropriate that I should attempt to speak at any length. I thank you again for your kindness, and will now submit myself to such arrangements as the committee have made to spend the little time I have to spend with you. [Cheers.]
[ST. LOUIS, OCTOBER 11.]
The President arrived in St. Louis at 9:30 in the morning and received a royal welcome. As he drove through the city amid the roar of cannon, it is estimated that fully 200,000 people greeted him, and his journey partook of a triumph. The committee of escort that met the President at Kansas City consisted of ex-Gov. E. O. Stanard, Col. S. W. Fordyce, Hon. R. C. Kerens, and Marcus Bernheimer. The guard of honor was a detail from the Grand Army, commanded by Major Leo Rassieur.
The President was met on arrival by the following distinguished Committee of Reception: His Honor, Mayor Noonan, D. M. Houser, Geo. D. Reynolds, R. M. Scruggs, Nelson Cole, Col. James G. Butler, Col. J. O. Churchill, Daniel Catlin, Wm. M. Senter, John Orrick, John S. Moffett, S. Newman, D. P. Rowland, John J. Daly, A. B. Ewing, Miles Sells, John Dillon, Professor Waterhouse, Frank Buchanan, John B. Harlow, Marquand Foster, Philip Brockman, Wm. Grassmuck, Chas. Scudder, John J. O'Brien, T. J. Cummings, John H. Terry, J. S. Finkenbauer, C. J. Hanabrinck, L. Bohle, O. M. Dean, John M. Sellers, James Green, Dr. Thomas O'Reilly, Samuel Kennard, O. M. Haye, John A. Scudder, H. L. Morrill, S. H. H. Clark, John Scullen, C. C. Maffitt, Joseph Franklin, Hon. F. G. Niedringhaus, Hon. Nathan Frank, W. M. Kinsey, E. S. Rowse, Geo. D. Barnard, J. L. Boland, D. H. King, C. P. Walbridge, B. F. Harnett, Geo. Taylor, R. P. Tansey, A. S. White, F. A. Wann, M. M. Bodenheimer, W. A. Hargadine, George A. Baker, John N. Booth, Geo. W. Parker, J. D. Thompson, George A. Medill, E. C. Simmons, Edwin C. Kehr, G. A. Finkelnburg, Marcus Bernheimer, L. Beavis, Charles F. Joy, Henry Hitchcock, Wm. H. Thompson, W. F. Niedringhaus, Charles Espenschied, A. B. Goodbaugh, Jonathan Rice, Jacob Meyer, Goodman King, D. C. Nugent, John Davis, J. D. Bascom, R. W. Shapleigh, Edgar D. Tilton, John C. Wilkinson, D. D. Walker, Frederick Vaughn, E. F. Williams, J. H. Wear, C. D. Comfort, C. C. Rainwater, F. W. Humphrey, Michael McGinnis, John Wahl, W. L. Hughes, and Thomas H. West.
After reviewing the parade from the balcony of the Southern Hotel the President and Secretary Tracy visited the Merchants' Exchange and were tendered a reception by the business men of the city. Mr. Marcus Bernheimer, President of the Exchange, occupied the presiding chair and introduced Gov. D. R. Francis, who, in an eloquent address, welcomed the President in the name of the people of Missouri. The Governor was followed by Hon. Edward A. Noonan, Mayor of St. Louis, who extended a "sincere and hearty greeting," on behalf of the residents of the city.
Hon. Charles Parsons then introduced the President, who addressed the assemblage as follows: