[PORTLAND, OREGON, MAY 5.]
Tuesday, at noon, found the President and his party at Portland, where they received an enthusiastic greeting. Ten thousand people were present, notwithstanding the rainy weather. The President was welcomed at the station by Mayor Van B. De Lashmutt and wife, Chief-Justice R. S. Strahan, Supreme Judges W. P. Lord and R. S. Bean, Federal Judge M. P. Deady, Hon. Joseph Simon, President of the Senate; Hon. T. T. Geer, Speaker of the House; ex-Atty.-Gen. Geo. H. Williams, Hon. T. F. Osborn, President Chamber of Commerce; Hon. E. B. McElroy, Gen. O. Summers, Gen. Wm. Kapus, Hon. M. C. George, Hon. Henry Failing, Hon. C. A. Dolph, Hon. P. L. Willis, Hon. F. V. Drake, Hon. G. L. Story, Hon. J. C. Moreland, Hon. J. C. Fullerton, Hon. H. B. Miller, Philip Metschan, and Mrs. Rosa F. Burrell; also W. F. Matlock, J. H. McClung, and S. B. Eakin, Jr., of Eugene City.
The parade was a brilliant affair. The veterans of the several G. A. R. posts acted as the guard of honor. The great column was directed by Col. T. M. Anderson, U. S. A., aided by O. F. Paxton, Chief of Staff; C. M. Idleman, D. S. Tuthill, Dr. Henry E. Jones, J. G. Woodworth, R. W. Mitchell, F. K. Arnold, L. A. Lewis, E. C. Michenor, C. R. Holcomb, Charles E. Dodd, J. C. Courtney, J. A. Sladden, John Gwilt, G. A. Harding, Gen. C. S. Wright, Gen. C. P. Holloway, Col. R. S. Greenleaf, Col. D. H. Turner, N. S. Pierce, G. E. Caukin, A. E. Borthwick, Col. H. H. Northup, Col. R. T. Chamberlain, G. H. Durham, H. C. Allen, E. A. Weed, M. J. Morse, Geo. C. Sears, F. R. Neal, Dr. W. H. Saylor, Capt. J. E. Lombard, C. E. Dubois, H. P. Wilson, and M. G. Steffen.
Conspicuous in the procession were the following staff officers of the Department of the Columbia: Maj. C. A. Wikoff, Maj. W. H. Nash, Maj. J. C. Muhlenberg, Maj. J. G. C. Lee, and Captains C. McClure and C. H. Ingalls; also Hon. R. P. Earhart, Geo. A. Steel, F. P. Mays, E. T. Hatch, J. T. Stewart, Mayor of East Portland; D. M. McLauchlin, Mayor of Albina; A. M. Crawford, of Roseburg, and the French, Russian, and Danish vice-consuls.
In the evening five companies of the First Regiment, O. N. G., commanded by Col. Charles F. Beebe, escorted the President, Secretary Rusk, and Postmaster-General Wanamaker to the Exposition Building, where an audience of 15,000 greeted them. Mayor De Lashmutt delivered an eloquent address of welcome.
President Harrison was tendered an ovation as he arose to respond. He said:
Mr. Mayor and Fellow-citizens—No more brilliant or inspiring scene than this has been presented to our eyes in this wonderful series of receptions which have been extended to us on our journey. You have been filled with regret to-day that your weeping skies did not present to us the fair spectacle which you had hoped; and yet this very discouragement has but added to the glory of this magnificent reception. [Cheers.] To stand in the bright sunshine of a genial day and to wave a welcome is not so strong a proof of the affectionate interest of a people as you have given to-day standing in this down-pouring rain [Cheers.] In the presence of a multitude like this, in a scene made brilliant by these decorations, I stand inadequate to any suitable expression of the gratitude that fills my heart. [Cheers.]
I was quite inclined to stand by the Superintendent of the Census in the count which he made of the States; but I am afraid if I had witnessed this scene, pending your application for a recount, that it would have been granted. [Laughter and great cheering.] I am sorry that it could not have been made as the people turned out to give us this welcome; I am sure no one would have been missed. [Laughter and cheers.]
This State is interesting in its history. The establishment of the authority of the United States over this region was an important event in our national history. The possession of the Columbia and of Puget Sound was essential to the completeness and the roundness of our empire. We have here in this belt of States, reaching from the Gulf of California to the Straits of Fuca, a magnificent possession which we could not have dispensed with at all. [Cheers.] The remoteness of Oregon from the older settled States, the peril and privation which attended the steps of the pioneer as he came hither, delayed the development of this great country. You are now but beginning to realize the advantage of closer and easier communications. You are but now beginning to receive from an impartial and beneficent Government that attention which you well deserve. [Cheers.]
That this river of yours should be made safe and deep, so that waiting commerce may come without obstruction to your wharf, is to be desired. [Cheers.] It should receive those appropriations which are necessary to make the work accomplish the purpose in view. [Cheers.] I believe that you may anticipate a largely increased commerce. Looking out as you do toward the regions across the Pacific, it would be but natural that this important centre should draw from them and exchange with them a great and increasing commerce. [Cheers.] I am in entire sympathy with the suggestion of the Mayor that it is important that this commerce should be carried in American ships. [Cheers.] A few days ago, when I sailed in the harbor of San Francisco, I saw three great deep water ships come into that port. One carried the flag of Hawaii and two the English flag. None bore at the masthead the Stars and Stripes. I believe it is the duty of the national Government to take such steps as will restore the American merchant marine. [Cheers.] Why shall we not have our share in the great commerce of the world? I cannot but believe—and such inspiring presences as this but kindle and confirm my belief—that we are come to a time when this Nation should look to the future and step forward bravely and courageously in new lines of enterprise. [Cheers.]