The next stop was at Florence, in the oil district, whose citizens gave the President a most cordial greeting. The Reception Committee comprised Mayor Isaac Canfield, Senator J. A. McCandless, J. F. Collins, J. H. McDaniel, Thomas Robinson, Thomas E. Spencer, Richard McDonald, W. J. Daniels, and Joseph Patterson. An enthusiastic citizen proposed three cheers "for the first President who has thought enough of us to come and see us." They were given with a will, and the President responded as follows:
My Fellow citizens—I am very much obliged to you for this greeting. I expect there have been other Presidents who thought of you, though they have not visited you. This has been a very pleasant and instructive journey to me. I thought I had kept myself reasonably well informed of the capabilities of this country and of its productions, but I am amazed to find how things are put together. We come out of the snow where everything is barren and where labor is under ground, where the precious metals are being extracted, and there is nothing pleasant in the landscape except the snow covered mountains, and presently we are into a land of fruit, and have handed up to us great branches laden with well-set peach and pear, and are showered again, as we were in California, with the flowers of the early spring, and now, to my surprise, we seem to be in the oil region of Pennsylvania. These numerous derricks and oil lodes remind us of things about Oil City. Until I saw them I was not aware that you had here in Colorado oil production. It shows us how impartial, after all, the great Creator has been. He has given us everywhere possibilities which, if well improved, will make comfortable, happy homes. You have the metals, precious and common, and the coal that is needed for the smelter; oil to light your homes and lubricate your machinery, and these orchards and beautiful valleys, all in the right proximity. No man could have improved upon it. [Applause.] Our Government intends to have a careful and impartial consideration of all its people. We do not recognize classes or distinctions. We want everybody to be prosperous and happy, especially the working people. [Cheers.]
I do not know how our institutions could endure unless we so conduct our public affairs and society that every man who is sober and industrious shall be able to make a good, comfortable living and lay something aside for old age or for evil days; to have hope in his heart and better prospects for his children. That is the strength of American institutions. Whatever promotes that I want to favor. Whatever tends to pauperize our people or impair the earning power of the laboring class I do not favor. [Cheers.]
[PUEBLO, COLORADO, MAY 11.]
An artillery salute welcomed the party to Pueblo at 3:30 P.M. Mayor W. B. Hamilton, Col. M. H. Fitch, D. W. Barkley, Hon. I. W. Stanton, A. McClelland, and O. H. P. Baxter comprised the committee that escorted the President from Glenwood Springs. Arrived at the station the Chief Executive was conveyed to the Court House Square by the following Committee of Reception: E. C. Lyman, Paul Wilson, Benjamin Guggenheim, D. L. Holden, E. R. Chew, Fred Betts, N. O. McClees, W. A. Moses, F. E. Baldwin, A. S. Dwight, J. R. Flickenger, R. M. Stevenson, W. B. McKinney, John Lockin, E. C. Billings, A. F. Ely, W. B. Palmer, J. S. Johnston, N. E. Guyot, M. Studzinski, G. T. Nash, J. W. Purdy, P. F. Sharp, S. A. Abbey, E. H. Martin, N. S. Walpole, T. J. Cribbs, J. G. Keller, and C. C. Gaines. Upton Post, G. A. R., C. J. Long Commander, and many other organizations participated in the parade.
At the Court House Square 6,000 children greeted the President, who was introduced by Dr. William A. Olmsted and said:
Children of the Public Schools and Others—I am glad to meet such an immense number here, and I can't allow this opportunity to pass without expressing to you my thanks for this whole-souled reception. It moves my heart to say that from your appearances you are well taught, not only in manners but in your intellectual pursuits; your bright, ruddy faces show health, and as you are living in this healthful place it speaks marvels for Pueblo. The country need fear no attack from foreign foes when such an army as you'll some day make would be called into action. You have your destiny all before you, and no one can tell but that some of these boys may be a President and these beautiful girls advise those who are born to fill high places in the Government. Children, I am pleased to see you, and will hold in dear remembrance this, my first visit to Pueblo—a city full of American genius and enterprise, which will hold its own and keep on apace with that progress characteristic of Americans. God bless you all. [Cheers.]
As Mrs. Harrison's carriage drew up the school children presented her with a handsome painting—the "Colorado Columbine." The President then visited the Colorado Mineral Palace, where President L. S. McLain and Secretary Livezey of the Exposition presented him with specimens of rich ore.