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Editor's note: This is part of a weekly series marking the 120th anniversary of Niles native William McKinley's U.S. presidency.
In order to garner support for the Treaty of Paris (the treaty concluding the Spanish-American War that was signed Dec. 10, 1898, by representatives from both the U.S. and Spain in Paris), President William McKinley visited Georgia and Alabama with Secretary of War Russell Alger and fellow politicians Joe Wheeler, William Shafter and Henry Lawton.
The week of Dec. 13, 1898, involved travel throughout several southern states for McKinley. An overview of the itinerary shows a full schedule beginning Dec. 13 when the president left Washington, and wrapping up with his Dec. 20 return.
The president arrived in Atlanta, Georgia, on Wednesday, where he addressed the Georgia legislature as part of the Atlanta Peace Jubilee. He received a robust welcome and a standing ovation as he entered the venue. His brief but impactful words recognized the sacrifices of the fallen soldiers from both the Union and Confederate armies. The highlight of the day was a floral parade with civic and military participants. McKinley's carriage was at the beginning of the procession. He continually waved and bowed to the crowd. The day concluded with an elaborate banquet for almost 300 guests at the Kimball House.
On Friday, the trip took McKinley from Atlanta to Tuskegee, Alabama. His train was met at Union Station by the governor, committees of the assembly, the mayor and city council. The main purpose of the visit was to recognize the accomplishments of Booker T. Washington. Washington expressed his gratitude in a speech made at the Tuskegee Chapel. He stated, "We welcome you all to this spot where, without racial bitterness, but with sympathy and friendship, with the aid of the State, with the aid of black men and white men, with southern and northern help, we are trying to assist the nation in working out one of the greatest problems ever given to men to solve," according to the Los Angeles Times account of Dec. 17, 1898. The president addressed the students of the Tuskegee Normal School, where Washington was the first principal -- a position he held until his death in 1915.
Beginning Saturday, the president visited the city of Savannah, Georgia. During the day, he conducted a review of the troops in camp. The evening was spent at the DeSoto hotel, where the citizens of Savannah hosted a banquet.
Sunday was mostly a day of rest and quiet in Savannah.
The president spent three hours in Macon, Georgia, on Monday, devoted to a review of the enlisted men in the First Corps under the command of Gen. Wilson.
It is believed the president's tour of the south helped decrease sectionalist sentiment. As the president left Montgomery, the songs "Dixie" and "Yankee Doodle Dandy" were played simultaneously as a symbolic tribute to the "reunited" United States. The time spent in the southern states helped heal the wounds of a divided country and recognize the contributions of the South to a successful nation. The signing of the Treaty of Paris and the perceived victory of the Spanish-American War were to be celebrated and recognized by both the north and the south.
Carrie Kibby is the manager of Adult Reference at the McKinley Memorial Library in Niles.
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