The presidential party arrived at Del Monte depot at 8 o'clock Wednesday evening and were the guests of Manager Schonewald, of the famous Hotel Del Monte. The next morning the distinguished travellers were driven over to Monterey, the historic old capital of California; they were met at the outskirts by the City Trustees and a committee of prominent citizens, among whom were: C. I. Burks, Capt. Thomas Bralee, Francis Doud, David Rodrick, F. R. Day, Edward Ingram, Job Wood, Thomas Doud, J. T. Stockdale, Jacob R. Leese, Wm. Kay, A. A. Osio, and H. Whitcomb. The reception was held on the grounds fronting the old Capitol—now used as a school-house. After the reception the visitors were taken on an 18-mile drive through the parks and groves along the Pacific Ocean. Mayor W. J. Hill, of Salinas, delivered the address of welcome on behalf of the citizens of Monterey and Salinas, and presented the President with a silver plate engraved with a fac-simile of the old Custom House and the words "The Custom House where the American flag was first raised in California, July 7, 1846. Monterey, April 30, 1891. Greeting to our President."
In response the President said:
Mr. Mayor and Fellow-citizens—Our whole pathway through the State of California has been paved with good-will. We have been made to walk upon flowers. Our hearts have been touched and refreshed at every point by the voluntary offerings of your hospitable people. Our trip has been one continued ovation of friendliness. I have had occasion to say before that no man is entitled to appropriate to himself these tributes. They witness a peculiar characteristic of the American people. Unlike many other people less happy, we give our devotion to a Government, to its Constitution, to its flag, and not to men. We reverence and obey those who have been placed by our own suffrages and choice in public stations, but our allegiance, our affection, is given to our beneficent institutions, and upon this rock our security is based. We are not subject to those turbulent uprisings that prevail where the people follow leaders rather than institutions; where they are caught by the glamour and dash of brilliant men rather than by the steady law of free institutions.
I rejoice to be for a moment among you this morning. The history of this city starts a train of reflections in my mind that I cannot follow out in speech, but the impression of them will remain with me as long as I live. [Applause.] California and its coast were essential to the integrity and completeness of the American Union. But who can tell what may be the result of the establishment here of free institutions, the setting up by the wisdom and foresight and courage of the early pioneers in California of a commonwealth that was very early received into the American Union? We see to-day what has been wrought. But who can tell what another century will disclose, when these valleys have become thick with a prosperous and thriving and happy people? I thank you again for your cordial greeting and bid you good-morning. [Cheers.]
[SANTA CRUZ, CALIFORNIA, MAY 1.]
At 8 o'clock Friday morning the presidential train halted at Santa Cruz, the City of the Holy Cross, where another floral greeting awaited the distinguished guests. They were met by Mayor G. Bowman at the head of a committee of prominent citizens, among whom were: Col. Thomas P. Robb, W. P. Young, Dr. T. W. Drullard, W. Finkeldey, O. J. Lincoln, W. J. McCollum, A. L. Weeks, P. R. Hinds, W. H. Galbraith, E. C. Williams, Duncan McPherson, Wm. T. Jeter, A. A. Taylor, W. D. Storey, F. A. Hihn, Z. N. Goldsby, Richard Thompson, R. C. Kirby, J. H. Logan, A. J. Jennings, Judge McCann, J. F. Cunningham, Benj. Knight, Z. Barnet, E. C. Williams, and J. T. Sullivan. Grand Marshal J. O. Wanzer, with his aids, U. S. Nichols, M. S. Patterson, H. Fay, W. D. Haslam, R. H. Pringle, W. C. Hoffman, and George Chittenden, acted as an escort of honor to the President during the parade. When the Pacific Ocean House was reached Mayor Bowman made a welcoming address. After the reception the party visited the grove of big trees near the city.
As the President arose to respond the great audience cheered enthusiastically. He said:
Mr. Mayor and Fellow-citizens—It seems to me like improvidence that all this tasteful and magnificent display should be but for a moment. In all my journeying in California, where every city has presented some surprise and where each has been characterized by lavish and generous display, I have not seen anything so suddenly created and yet so beautiful. I am sure we have not ridden through any street more attractive than this. I thank you most sincerely for this cordial welcome. I am sure you are a loyal, and I know you are a loving and kindly people. [Cheers.] We have been received, strangers as we were, with affection, and everywhere as I look into the faces of this people I feel my heart swell with pride that I am an American and that California is one of the American States. [Cheers.]