[LEADVILLE, COLORADO, MAY 11.]
Leadville, the Cloud City, was reached at 7:30 A.M. Monday. Ten thousand citizens greeted the Chief Magistrate at this greatest of silver camps. The following delegation met the presidential party at Glenwood and escorted them to Leadville: His Honor Mayor John E. Foutz, Hon. H. I. Higgins, W. Arens, John Harvey, A. Sherwin, A. V. Hunter, S. F. Maltby, John Ewing, John Williams, W. F. Patrick, H. C. Burnett, Rev. A. E. Armstrong, Mrs. Foutz, Mrs. Hunter, Mrs. Morgan H. Williams, and Mrs. E. Forbes. The ladies of this committee presented Mrs. Harrison with numerous beautiful silver souvenirs.
Chairman Higgins and the following members of the Reception Committee escorted the party to the Hotel Kitchen: Mrs. W. F. Patrick, W. W. Old, Mrs. J. Y. Oliver, A. A. Blow, Mrs. H. W. Hardinge, Charles Cavender, Rev. E. S. Ralston, B. S. Buell, Samuel Brown, A. Sherwin, Robert Estey, H. R. Pendery, Charles L. Hill, J. S. Jones, Robert Cary, Geo. W. Trimble, C. P. Schumacher, J. S. Saunders, John Harvey, J. H. Weddle, John Nowland, W. F. Patrick, Hon. Wm. Kellogg, Frank G. White, John F. Champion, James Smith, Moses Londoner, J. J. M. McRobbie, Maj. A. V. Bohn, and John Lumsden. The veterans of Garfield Post, G. A. R., composed the guard of honor. Judge Luther M. Goddard made the welcoming address, and in the name of the city presented the distinguished visitor a silver brick.
The President responded as follows:
Mr. Mayor and Fellow-citizens—This rare, pure atmosphere, this bright sunshine, the national colors, this multitude of lifted, smiling faces to greet us is a scene that should raise the dullest heart to emotions of thankfulness and pride—pride wholly separated from personal considerations, a pride in which everything personal is swallowed up by the contemplation that all this is the outcome, the manifestation, the culmination of free American institutions. [Cheers.] We stand here on this mountain-top and see what I think is the highest evidence of American pluck to be found in the United States. [Laughter and applause.] I have addressed my fellow-citizens on many thousands of occasions, but never before stood so near the dome. [Cheers.] It is a wonderful testimony to the energy and adaptation of the American that he should have pushed his way to this high altitude, above the snow-line, and erected here these magnificent and extensive industries and these beautiful and happy homes. I rejoice with you in all that has been accomplished here.
I bring thanks to you for that great contribution you have made to the wealth of a country we all love. [Cheers.] I bring to you the assurance that as an individual citizen and as a public officer my interest, my affection, and my duty embrace all the people of this land. [Cries of "Good!" and cheers.]
I am glad to know we have in the past history of our country found that happy unity of interest which has acted beneficially upon all our institutions and all our people. With due regard to all local interests, we should seek that general legislation which touches with kindly fingers the humblest homes in our land. I do most sincerely thank you for this token of the product of your mines. It is a precious metal, but much more precious to me is the kindly thought and the generous welcome which you have given us in Leadville. [Cheers.]
My lungs are unaccustomed to this rare and stimulating atmosphere, and you will permit me to close by giving you all, to the men who, deep down in these mines, are toilsomely working out the precious metal, to those who welcome you in your homes when you return from your toil, the wives and children who add grace and sweetness to our lives, to these children who have gathered to greet us, a most cordial salutation and a regretful good-by. [Cheers.]