The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-07-07
Nsl4oNAL STRENGTH.
SIaIOr 1eKinisy at Woodstock, Conn, Q
tho Fourth of July.

ll0lor MCKINLEY AZ hoodstoelsJ N"hh'i un
the Fourth of July.
Major Mckinley was the central fig
ure OF the day, and was received with
terrific ovation when he arose to speak
on National Strength" lie said in
part:
Since 1870 this spot has enjoyed many
notable celebrations. It gives me great
pleasure TO meet so many New England
people here, and especially at one OF
Mr.. Bowen's celebrations. l have known
and liked Mr.. Bowen for forty years,
when he was merchant in New York,
and had for q motto: "My goods are for
sale, but not my principles" 1t WIS in
this split that our iorefathers said to
England. "Our blood is more at your
service than our principles" 1t was
such sentiments as these TINT has kept
the nation together for more than q
hundred years. One-fourth OF our ma
tional life has been spent in war, War
both internal and external, which was
to preserve the government Of l776.
There has been three great events in
our national life. The great triumph
which resulted in the independence OF
tho American Colonies, al event with.
out a parallel in the worlds history.
Twenty-Five years after the formation OF
the federal union we challenged Great
Britain because Of her overt acts upon
the high seas. without army, navy or
resources the young giant challenged
formidable England. Having whipped
her, we turned our attention to affairs
at home; we found slavery among US
and that it was not good thing to have.
After many small struggles the Missouri
Compromise bill was passed. The
second great event was the formation OF
federal union under written constitu-,
ton. Our enemies said it could not be
done, for we had set up a lot OF little
nations, each with tariff laws Of their
own. We said we would unite all these
governments under one, and it was done.
Since then there has been no doubt OF
the perpetuity OF the union.
The third event was the Rebellion,
which resulted in the Unions preserva-
ton after struggle which cost more
men and money than any OF the wars OF
France and England. Our only thought
was to preserve the Union OF our fathers.
As Lincoln said, 1--WE will preserve the
Union, with or without slavery"
All az q citizen ask is TINT the com.
pact agreed to by Grant and Lincoln
Shall be the law OF four country. More
we have not asked; less we will not ac-
Cept. We must not prove faithless to
our trust, and while we forgive our en-
emies we must not forget the boys that
fell. Some foreigners say we brNg too
much about our government. / say we
don't. 1t is the best in the world, and
the judgment of sixty million people is
better than that Of favored few who
rule by heritage or accident.
am not going to make tariff speech,
as some thought, for it would not be
proper. am an American citizen, and
believe that they are better than any
others because OF the American home
and because Of the laws we have made
Tor the American boy and girl. / have
no objection to foreign products for
home consumption, but think more Of
home products. George Washington
thought enough to wear Il coat made i'll
Connecticut at his Inauguration, and
wrote it down in his diary.
Some men who want to be inaugur-
ated President would not think enough
of home products to do this, but do
not think we shall inaugurate them.
However, l wish to say that Senator
Aldrich has done more for our indus
tries than any other senator. We have
had fifty years Of prosperity, and We
shall not overlook this to form an
alliance with people who have not
always been loyal to the flag.
Men OF New England, stand by your
public schools, for schoolmusters have
done more for you than anything else.
Stand byyour priceless heritage.