The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-07-10
THE EVOLUTION OF AMERICA.
Excerpt from Governor McKinley's Iude.
pcndsues Day Address Before tho
Chicago Federation Of Labor and Other
WOrkiuemeu,

Chicago Federation Of Labor and Other
wOrkingmeu.
| what mighty nation has been
erected upon the immortal principles of
the great declaration the signing of
which We celebrate today! We have
increased from thirteen to forty-four
states; from 100000 to nearly 100000
Of people, We have arisen from slav-
cry to freedom: from what some men
believed a mere confederacy Of states.
to be dissolved at pleasure. to a mighty
eternal union Of indivisible. indestructi-
BILE states; from an agricultural COM
| munity to the foremost nation Of the
world In all the arts and sciences, in
manufactures. in agriculture and In
| mining. Liberty, labor and love united
| have accomplished 1t all. Labor has
been dignified and has indicated the
truth that the best citizen Of any COM
munity Is It's most useful citizen. All
men have equal rights guaranteed by
our constitution and laws. and that
equality must be forever preserved and
strengthened and everywhere recog-
MID. We are all Americans, We are all
SoScteiSus, cvudl III the pdllOt, ana tnal
ci;izen Is the best who does his best;
follows the light as God gives him to
see the light: who comedies to all the
races Of mankind what he claims for
himself: who rigidly respects the rights
Of others; who is ever willing and ready
to aid others: who has the best heart,
the best character, the greatest charity
and sympathy and who withholds from
none of his fellowmen the respect,
rights and protection he claims for
himself.
This is the citizenship that is the
need CT every age and to which we
must educate ourselves and those who
are to come after us. This Is Citizen
ship that Is the hope Of the republic.
Its security and permanency. which Is
the hope Of the future Of mankind. our
own best hope: citizenship that is
faithful to home and family. devotedly
loyal to country, that encourages the
truest and highest national spirit, the
most thorough and genuine American
ism, that Is ever moving onward pnd
upward toward the highest ideals of
modern civilization: a citizenship that
respects law and constituted authority,
that loyalty uphOlds. guards and sup
ports the government Of which Vt is a
part. in whose administration 1t has a
voice. and that rests upon the free
choice and consent Of a majority Of the
people. 1t was this character of citi-
zenship, and the aim to secure it, that
animated the men who have fought
all the battles Of the republic, from the
revolution to the great civil war; that
struck slavery from the constitution of
the United States. and made freedom
universal in the republic. The great
est battle which the nation has fought
has been to secure to labor the right
to do with dts skill and energy and in
dustry what 1t chooses through lawful
pursuits and by peaceable means, ever
obedient to law and order and respect
full Of the rights Of all; that has given
labor the unQuestioned right to use
what 1t earns in its own way in the ele-
walton Of home and family; that has
taught labor to give conscience its full
sway. and that has inspired labor to
improve wisely every opportunity and
to make possible the realization Of the
highest hopes and best aspirations Of
the human race.
peace. order and good will among
the people. Patriotism in their hearts;
truth and honor. honest and justice in
the executive. judicial and legislative
branches OF the government. municipal.
stare and national, all yielding respect
and obedience'to the law. all equal be-
fore the law and alike amenable to IT
such condition will make our govern
ment too strong ever to be broken by
internal dtssensions and too powerful
to be overturned by any enemy from
without Then will the government Of
the people, under the smiles of heaven.
bless and prosper and exalt the people
who sustain and support IT.