Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1890-03-01
ran wonLp's rAIs.
Spoech a Hoa. Seth l. AAiliiken On tie
oabjse& IN ths Hsttonai Hoase Of
Representatives.

Speech of Hoa. Seth l. A1i,itksn On he
ssbjses IN ths Hsttoaai Hosss Of
representatives,
We publish beIsv. fran the cSnsression-
81 Record, he speech Of Hon Seth l.
NiIIiken on the Worlds Fair bill, in which
he vesy clearly .<rs farth the considerations
which isnuenced his action upon that mat
ter:
Mr. Wilson Of West Virginia I Weld
five minutes to the gentleman from Maine
Mr.. Millikeul.
Mr. MiIiksn Nj Speaker. am ore Of
the few. 3erhsps. in the House Of Repre-
ssntatives sho have not either directly or
indirectly (exceps 90 far IS have m in
lsress In my country any interest ia this
fair. Ny people have no city TO be boom
ed by IL. They have given me no insuac-
tons apan it. They wish simply, ii is shall
be held, to contribute to It's success by their
efforts and to share in IT'S glory. But
have oasn . little amused in listening to
the different arguments which have been
made in opposition 20 holdiag Worlds
Fair Ay frient from K snsss hs. srzusd
ina, the country 10 toe poor to have IL; that
Se need to appropriate the money to Other
purposes.
Well, Mr.. Speaker. every man 10 too
poor TO make expenditure for any luxury or
any comfort, almost. il he thinks 80. pre-
sumo &c could all lay up more money If We
would sell our comfortable d~sil,ngs and
live in ,en,s iastead OF 1o1s-s. But. sir,
am one Of The men who believe that n ;
country celebrates too little, hat we have
TO- few holidays, that We do too much work
and have too little play. that we spend too
much time in saving the doll ns which We
leave for somebody else to contend aad
quarrel over after sc are lead
Nv other friend over here thinks this
money should be reserve. % pay pensions
to soldiers. az sure IA It 10 man in this
House will 90 farther NJ make greater eff
forts than I 10 compensate those brave mea
xhs went down on thu perilous edge Of cat
tie 10 defend their country and give Us the
Government which W. have day But
let me say to my frieni 'ha, if this Worlds
Fair shall be held, believe there are no
people in this country WAC will be NOR
largely, more earnestly, or more eagerly
participate in it than the men who carried
the flag of their country and made II posi-
BILE for US now to have Worlds Es and to
hoat the old Tag more proudly in the fsce
of the nations of the earth to-day than IL
ever fioated before.
And let me say further, Mr.. Speaker, that
the soldiers Of the country. know enough
to know that if this fair shall be q succe IS
in developing and exhibiting to the world
,ha ind nf ba tfa NJ
prosperity, the fruits of its industry, and
the fortune which to-day seems before il,
that success, that exhibition will be q
grander tribute to the men whose bravery
saved the country and made all this posi-
BILE than any other tribute you can pay to
them, and they will so consider it,
do not believe, no matter how honestly
or periodically il may be said, that the gal
liant Union soldiers who survive to-day will
thank any man for pleading the poverty act
for them. They would rather have dol
lar less in their pockets and be able to see
the grand, golden fruits of their deeds
spread out before the world as this exhibi
ito: can not fail to do. Applause.
But we will take care of the soldiers and
have the fair, too. The country is not too
poor to do both We will keep the
Treasury replete with money by protect
ing our industries and the workman's labor
and from this repletion pay the Govern
ment expenditures even when we shall
have passed the dependent pension bill. re
arrears bill, and such other legislation as
may be necessary to sustain in their old
age the country's gallant defenders. Thus
we will bring money to the nations Golfers
by giving the people prosperity, and while
We expend sufficient sums to do justice to
the soldier, at a Worlds Fair We will glorify
his explorts by exhibiting to all the many
peoples who shall come here on that grand
occasion the magnificent results of his
valor, and so display not only the products
of American genius and enterprise, but
also what has been made possible by Amer
lean courage.
Millsl, whom am always glad to
hear, who is always energetic and some
times even eloquent, and who am sure is
patriotic, has discussed almost every qIes
ton which has arisen from my earliest boy
hood down to the present time on this prop
osi ion Of the Worlds Fair. Laughter.
His first objection to it WAS that it was no,
Jefiersonian. I have heard good deal
about the doctrines of Jefferson, and
never heard man who prjled himself on
being a follower OF jefferson who had any
thing he wanted to do or anything he wanted
to prevent who did not quote jefferson
Laughter and applause.
If that Old patriot and statesman could
rise rom his grave to day he would wonder
at the ten thousand different chapters and
doctrines which are attrir uted to him.
The Speaker; The time of the gentle
man has expired.
Mr. Milliken hope will be Permittet
to continue my remarks TO show, at least
on which side of the question | am, anG
" here shall vote for the Worlds Fair
Laughter.
Again my friend argues that Columbus
did not discover the North American cont
nent But he discovered America HI
was the first to conceive the idea that there
must be land on this side of the globe tS
balance the eastern hemisphere, and hs
pursued his conception to demonstration by
actual fact
He was the first to cross the ocean, ant
whatever was done by those who came af
ter him, he was the great pioneer of the
stormy Atlantic.
To his genius, enterprise, intrepid cour
age and fortitude is due the fact that tn.
American continent is to-day crowned with
the blessings Of civilization, indeed, the
best and most advanced civilization know
to mankind; and should the dead rise now
no returned soul or soul at present living
could so justly take pride in the greer
fields. the great industries the grand cities
the enlightened and benetcient institutions
and the happy homes of intelligent, Chris
tan, growing America as could Christopher
Columbus. whose marvellous discovery ha,
led to it all. Let no man attempt to tear q
laurel leaf from his brow or diminish the
measure of his renown. His memory
should dwell ever in the pride and affection
of Americans.
But my friend says tina. the Government,
has no constitutional right to interfere in
this matter. 10 it an interference for the
Government to provide for the celebration
of the four hundredth anniversary of the
continent on which it holds jurisdiction and
where the people who have created and
supper. it have lived and live now Yes.
says my friend, il is constitutional inter
ference with the rights of the people, and
so the Constitution and Thomas jefferson
ever appear to forbid whatever the gentle
man thinks should be prevented, and he
would let the State of New York, or the
city of Chicago, or S.; Louis celebrate the
Worlds Fair. Indeed, is the gentleman 50
unpsiriotic as that? do not believe be
will be when he shall weigh the import of
his words.
When the people of Athens complained
TO Pericles of the cost of the statutes and
t. mples with which he is said to have
adorned and besutified that city more than
Rome vas so beautfied from its foundation
to the time of Cesar, he replied, Then
Pericles will pay the bills. but the credit
shall be ascribed to Pericles and not TO the
Afhaniana" Hhereunon fhev reaoIrad nj