A crowd of 10,000 greeted the party at Fresno; upward of 1,000 school children were present, led by Professors Heaton, Sturges, and Sheldon. The Committee of Reception consisted of Mayor S. H. Cole, Dr. Chester A. Rowell, F. G. Berry, Dr. A. J. Pedlar, Dr. St. George Hopkins, W. W. Phillips, I. N. Pattison, Louis Einstein, Nathan W. Moodey, C. W. De Long, and J. C. Herrington. Altanta Post, G. A. R., Capt. Fred Banta, Commander, also Company C, National Guard, Capt. M. W. Muller, and Company F, Capt. C. Chisholm, participated in the reception. A number of handsome floral designs and other mementoes were presented to the several members of the party.
Dr. Rowell delivered the welcoming address. President Harrison, responding, said:
My Fellow-citizens—It is altogether impossible for me to reach with my voice this vast concourse of friends. I can only say I am profoundly grateful for this enthusiastic greeting. I receive with great satisfaction the memento you have given me of the varied products of this most fertile and happy valley. I shall carry it with me to Washington as a reminder of a scene that will never fade from my memory. It is very pleasant to know that all these pursuits that so much engage your thoughts and so industriously employ your time have not turned your minds away from the love of the flag and of those institutions which spread their secure power over all your homes. What is it that makes the scattered homes of our people secure? There is no policeman at the door; there is no guard to accompany us as we move across this great continent. You and I are in the safe keeping of the law and of the affection and regard of all our people. Each respects the rights of the other. I am glad to receive this manifestation of your respect. I am glad to drink in this morning with this sunshine and this sweet balmy air a new impulse to public duty, a new love for the Union and flag. It is a matter of great regret that I can return in such a small measure your affectionate greeting. I wish it were possible I could greet each one of you personally, that it were possible in some way other than in words to testify to you my grateful sense of your good-will. [Cheers.]
[MERCED, CALIFORNIA, APRIL 25.]
The presidential party arrived at Merced shortly after noon and was welcomed by several thousand enthusiastic residents. The Committee of Reception was composed of the following representative citizens: E. T. Dixon, Maj. G. B. Cook, L. R. Fancher, C. H. Marks, E. M. Stoddard, S. A. D. Jones, Frank Howell, W. J. Quigley, M. Goldman, C. E. Fleming, J. H. Rogers, J. A. Norvell, Thomas Harris, Maj. C. Ralston, F. H. Farrar, R. N. Hughes, Judge J. K. Law, Thomas H. Leggett, and H. J. Ostrander. Hancock Post, G. A. R., J. Q. Blackburn, Commander, participated in the reception. Three little girls, Dottie Norvell, Mattie Hall, and Baby Ingalsbe, representing the citizens of Merced, presented Mrs. Harrison with a beautiful souvenir in the shape of a large American flag woven from roses and violets.
Chairman Dixon made the welcoming address, and President Harrison replied in the following words:
My Fellow-citizens—I have scarcely been able to finish a meal since I have been in California. [Laughter.] I find myself hardly seated at the table till some one reminds me that in about five minutes I am to meet another throng of cordial and friendly people. But I think I could have subsisted on this trip through California without anything to eat, and have dined the while upon the stimulus and inspiration which your good-will and kindly greetings have given me. I do not think, however, from what I have seen of these valleys, that it will be necessary for anyone to live without eating. [Laughter.] I have been greatly delighted with the agricultural richness, with the surprises in natural scenery, and in the production which have met us on this journey. Everywhere something has been lying in ambush for us, and when I was thinking of prunes and English walnuts and oranges we suddenly pulled up to a station where they had a pyramid of pig tin to excite our wonder and interest at the variety of the production in this marvellous State. But let me say, above all those fruits and flowers, above all these productions of mine and field, I have been most pleased with the men and women of California. [Applause.] It gives me great pleasure, too, to meet everywhere these little ones. I am fond of children. They attract my interest always, and the little ones of my own household furnish about the only relaxation and pleasure I have at Washington. [Applause.] I wish for your children and for you, out of whose homes they come, and where they are treasured with priceless affection and tender supervision, all the blessings that a benign Providence and a good Government can bestow. I shall be glad if in any way I have the opportunity to conserve and promote your interests. [Cheers.]