The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-09-12
cot. wINsroN's SPEECH.
At the Opening of the Tacoma ExPosi
ton Thursday Evening.

Mr.. President, Ladies and Gentlemen: W hat mag
nihcent spectacle presents itself to the worldl
sixty millions OF people, having established the
principles o. a free government and solved the
problem OF liberty, are engaged IN the great
work OF accomplishing the destiny OF a peaceful
civilization. This is the greatest era OF the
repubiic-the era of peaceful industry; the
supremacy of people over the sristocracy of
birth and OF wealth has been achieved Our
institutions have endured for more than q
century; they have become so firmly established
that it, Is not within the power OF human
agency ever to destroy them. The events that
have gone to make these hundred years OF our
national life are full OF splendor and OF glory
But the consummate fruit OF the century OF Tree
endeavor is not the political magnidcance
which is attached 10 our institutions but Is
found in the result which those institutions
have produced. The story OF the wars which
We have waged, of the hardshlps we have en-
dured. and OF the courage we have displayed,
has been told in many languages and In many
lands. But to my mind the crowning glory OF
the republic lies in the fact that no American
has ever raised his arm against a fellow country
man save in defense of the Union; Union
whose flag and honor for the hundred years that
stretch from Bunker Hill o Apponatt0x is with
out stain. This is theme upon waich man
can think and talk for all ages and for sill time.
But the idea that b srs anu now desire TO pre-
sent, is that the condition OF this country t0dayis
under the government Ordained by our Iote-
fathers, and that liberty being achieved. and
free government accompl shed forever, we are
today people prepared in the name OF the
God OF peace-to dedicate our country and our
lives 10 the sacred duty OF enlarging and ex-
tending the happiness OF the human family by the
peaceful methods OF peaceful INDUSTRY; PEG,
pie engaged in such WORK are entitled to good
gOyernment-to the best gOVernment-the
heart and brain of man can devise ana execute.
Whoever or whatever mterposes between this
atln md m 70
under what specious plea or guise such INFER
position is made, is not only traitor to the
country but traitor to the human race.
Our country is today more prosperous than
for any other period IN its history; Tree from
war, free from pestllence, Tree from famine, we
rejoice in peace, in health, and in abundance.
No class OF men anywhere IN the U nlted States
oppressed by authority OF law. here and
now pronounce the declaration, by whoever
made or wherever made, that this government
Is expressing any class OF Its citizens as libel on
the nation. Since Abraham Lincoln put aside
the pen with which he wrote and signed the
proclamation no man, no matter what calling
he follows, no matter what faith he Processes,
no matter what complexion the sun has burned
upon him, no man within the limits covered by
the stars aud stripes has been oppressed by
American law. This truth IS great enough alone
by itself to give name and character to any age
and to any race. Contrast the condition OF our
country which Is the direct result OF our insti-
buttons with that OF the countries OF Europe.
No larger in area than America, as rich in soil
and climate as America, the whole OF Europe is
vast military camp IN which there are more
men under arms than there are voters in the
United States and in every capital of Europe
today there is an envoy from this country gone
thither not for the purpose of witnessing
mimic fields OF battle, the pomp
and pageantry OF war, not for the
purpose of viewing the maneuvers OF armed
fleets upon waters which God intended TO float
the commerce of peace, but which klngcraft has
converted into cradle upon which are rocked
the vast monsters OF destruction; gone thither
not to secure torceful alliances with uneasy
n f t5 Of the nT od Of a rhe
and in the name OF Liberty to come to our
land and TO display at the great Worlds fair, 10
be held upon the anniversary of the discovery of
this continent, in friendly rivalry, the products
of their genius and of their civilization.
What the Worlds fair at Chicago is to the
peope OF America this exposition is to the peo-
pie OF the whole state OF Washington. Here
upon this floor have been gathered the resources
OF our whole state, anu what a state Who can
calculate the vastness OF its riches OF soil and OF
climate? 1t possesses the soil and climate OF all
the states. The inhabitant of New England
coming to find home in our midst can bring
with him the implements OF his trade,
whether he be tOller in the granite
OF his native land, or builder of
ships, and he will find here in the
vast forests of Washington, and in the mex
haustible mines of our state timber and stone IL
lmitable in quality and in quantity. The farmer
from the wheat fields of New York and Illinois,
the miner from the coal mines OF Pennsylvania,
the prospector OF gold ana silver from Colorado
and Nevada, the fruit grower from Delaware
California and Michigan; the garden farmer
from the Carolinas, the tobacco raiser from Viz
gnia, the sugar producer from Loulsana-al
these, upon leaving the land OF their birth, eau
bring with them their implements of labor, their
habits OF life, and their seed grain, and find in
Washington a soil and climate better adapted to
their growth than the one from which they were
brought / will not undertake in detail and by
location to designate the differences aud attrae-
tious OF our commonwealth. 1t is enough TO
say that our resources comprise all that soil and
climate can produce AS the traveller passes
over our borders, from the time that he enters at
the straits at Fuca to the place under the
shadow of the Rocky mountains whence he de.
parts a panorama OF natures brightest colors
delights his vision; an inland sea, whose oeautl-
tul waters reflect shores upon which have grown
like magic great and prosperous cities;
range alter range of mountains clad in perpet-
uaI snow; miles upon miles OF valleys clad IN
perpetual yerdurs; vast forests OF mighty trees,
ineXnaustible deposits of granite and coal and
iron and gold aud silver aud OF all mineral
wealth; beautiful rivers without number, heIos
OF waving grain, forests OF fruit, OF flowers and
toliage-what spectacle is presented TO MIN
who traverses the state OF Washington,
from the rich hills OF the Skaglt
through the beautiful valley OF the
Nalla Wsa. This exposition is intended to
bring together the various products OF TINS
wonderful country, and the great city IN when
II is being held is entitled to the loyal adnlra-
ton OF the whole state for the lberality and
progressive spirit which conceived and has car
ned Ii 10 successful competition. Inc Whole
lair, IRON the building which was erected solely
for its use, the smallest exhibit within 1t, is
worthy OF the highest commentator ana the
very best patronage from every part of the great
state OF Washington. IT presents not only an
Opportunity 10 judge of the enterprise ana
growth and greatness OF the city OF !acoma,
but II equally presents an opportunity by COM
parlson To judge OF the enterprise ana growth
and greatness of every section and OF every
part OF the state of Washington. Will not de-
tain you by endeavoring 10 enumerate the inhu-
enCes for good which this happy occasion Wall
exert | am sure that whatever beneficial
results flow from 1t, and they must be
many, your city is fairly entitled to her
share of them all. SO long as the spirit which
an mates this occasion prevails IN our state, she
VIII be second to none III this Unlon IN the
great march OF the nation 10 the completion OF
our civilization; second TO noae III material and
industrial greatness, and what is more, second
to none in devotion and attachment To the Union
Of our fathers, which God grant may endure
forever