[THE DALLES, OREGON, MAY 7.]
After traversing the famous gorge of the Columbia River the presidential train at 11 o'clock emerged within view of the city of The Dalles, where an enthusiastic welcome was extended the Chief Executive. The Committee of Reception consisted of Mayor Moody, D. M. French, Dr. William Shackelford, J. A. Varney, R. F. Gibson, Robert Mays, H. M. Beall, John McCaul, J. P. McInerry, M. T. Nolan, George Ruch, and the following prominent ladies of the city: Mrs. T. S. Lang, Mrs. N. B. Sinnott, Mrs. A. M. Williams, Mrs E. M. Wilson, Mrs. S. French, Mrs. S. Brooks, Mrs. Geo. Liebe, Mrs. Charles Hilton, and Mrs. J. Patterson. Many old soldiers and a large number of school children were present.
Mayor Moody, in behalf of the city, welcomed the President, who responded as follows:
My Friends—I have spoken at all times of the night and all hours of the day, and under conditions much less auspicious than those around us this morning. We have here a bright sunshine and a bracing air, and everything in nature adds to the gladness of this demonstration which you have made in our honor. I most sincerely thank you for this evidence of your friendliness. I assure you that it is very pleasant, and I cannot but believe that it is very useful for those who are charged with public duties at Washington occasionally to move about a little and look into the faces of the plain, patriotic people of the country. Most of the people who come to see me at Washington want something, and as the provision made by law is not adequate to meet all these wants there is very apt to be a great deal of discontent; but when we get out among the great masses of the people, among those who are doing the work of the farm, of the shop, and of the office, who have a patriotic pride in their country and its institutions, and are kindly disposed, charitable in their judgments, and who have no other interests than that the laws shall be faithfully executed and the whole interest of the people faithfully looked after, we find great refreshment in their presence. I am sure we have such an audience here this morning. You will not expect of any officer that he will altogether avoid mistakes; you have a right to expect a conscientious, courageous fidelity to public duty. I quite sympathize with the suggestion of your Mayor, that it is one of the proper Government functions to improve and to open to safe navigation the great waterways of our country. The Government of the United States has reserved to itself the exclusive control of all navigable inland waters, and that being so, it is, of course, incumbent upon the Government to see that the people have the best possible use of them. They are important, as they furnish cheap transportation, and touch points that are often, either for economy or natural reasons, inaccessible to railway traffic. I thank you again for your interest and bid you a kindly farewell. If no ill happens to you that I do not wish, and all the good comes to you that I do wish in your behalf, your lives will be full of pleasantness and peace. [Enthusiastic cheers.]
[PENDLETON, OREGON, MAY 7.]
After leaving The Dalles the presidential party encountered a sand storm. At 5 o'clock in the afternoon they arrived at the beautiful city of Pendleton and were greeted by a large crowd, including several hundred Umatilla Indians, led by Chiefs Peo and Ten-a-ow-itz. Chief Peo made an address and said:
I am glad to greet the great father. Indian and white man are now one family, friendly, and I give you the hand of welcome for my people. You represent one race, I another, but we are all of one Government, and between red man and white there should no longer be war. My people want only peace. In behalf of my tribe I say welcome, President.
The Committee of Reception comprised Mayor J. H. Raley, Judge J. A. Fee, J. M. Leezer, Senator Matlock, Capt. A. L. Ewing, T. C. Taylor, W. D. Fletcher, S. Rothchild, T. F. Rourke, R. Alexander, Lot Livermore, Benj. S. Burroughs, H. L. Marston, T. G. Hailey, W. D. Hansford, F. W. Vincent, Mrs. M. B. Clopton, Mrs. T. C. Taylor, and Mesdames Fee, De Spain, and Fletcher. Mayor Raley made an address of welcome.