The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-31
The Presidents Address.


AS President Mckinley rose to respond to
the address of Mr.. Wulsin, the scene was
enlvening. The guests rose and cheered,
and in every way gave expression to their
pleasure in having as their guest the Pres
ident of the United States. 1t was some
minutes before the President could pro-
coed. When quiet was restored, President
Mckinley spoke follows
Members of the Commercial Club. and
guests Approaching the purposes OF the
Commercial Club, | account myself fortu-
nate to be its guest tonight, with the pr1Vl-
lege of meeting old and valued friends
whose support and confidence have encour-
aged me and still encourage me in the per-
Torrance of public duty. Cincinnati has
for me the pleastantest associations and
a feeling of homecoming as | stand IN the
presence of the chief city of the State
where was born. receiving your warm wei
come and knowing 1t is sincere.
There is even more that is gratifying to
me in this assembly, because it is represent
ed by men of all parties and creeds, united
in a common aim ard most worthy one
that of promoting good government and dis
seminating those ideas which Will best IN
sure the honor and prosperity of the coun-
try We gain by intelligent discussion of
public questions carried on in an organiza--
ton like yours, not from a standpoint of
partisanship, but of good citizenship.
What will make the Nation strongest
and best; what will make its citizenship the
most useful and effective IN government!
These are inquiries ever pressing Tor an
swer with every thoughtful man. What
will arouse public and private con-
science to the Just appreciation of our civic
obligations, is the vital creed of your or
ganization and the most deep concern OF
us ALL Nothing makes more for the gov
eminent than intelligent and virtuouS clti-
zenshp 1t is the foundation of government
tai success and is essential to the highest
destiny of the Republic. 1t should start in
the home and be taught in the schools 1t
should have the inspiration OF example IN
public and private stations: The public OIL
Ger should illustrate it in his life and show
ii in the administration of his public duties
"One great element in the strength o., OF
any government is the patriotism or Its
people their love for it's Inscriptions, their
pride for it's name and achievements. This
element finds a field for exceptional devel-
oprnent in the United States. We have
everything to inspire good citizenship pc
cause we have equal and responsible cltl-
zenship Responsible citizenship comes
from direct participation in the conduct OF
the government and imposes equal RESPONSE
bility upon every citizen II we co thI
responsibility and every citizen was mace
to feel it's weight and Importance, II Wouiq
go far toward improving our political and
national life.
'The government and people are insepara-
BILE under our system we could not IS sepa pa
would, and we would not If we could. This
unity is the strength of your political
structure Our pubic policies and our pub
lie laws are properly determined by the
people. The people, therefore, nave every
incentive to noble purpose ana right action
in governments They are the beneficiarieS
of the government and have every reason TO
love our institutions and regard our laws
is no greater enemy to free government
than careless and Indifferent citizenship;
there is no better friend than the vig1lant
enlightened and patriotic citizen.
Not only are we interested in these
fundamental elements which constitute the
national strength, but we have added in
country No subject can better engage our
attention than the promotion of trade and
commerce at home and abroad. Domestic
conditions are sure to be improved by
larger exchanges with the nations of the
world We are already reaching out with
good results. Our surplus products or agr1-
culture and manufacture are finding a
foreign market, and in the latter case to a
degree which would not have been beileved
possible a quarter of a century ago. We
have made wonderful progress in this di-
rection and have only just begun. Our
manufactured products go to every nation
of the world, and ! hope the time may not
be far distant when our ships, under the
stars and stripes. will be on every sea
where commerce is carried and the wants
of mankind are to be supplied.
''GommerceAis teacher and a pacifcator.
1t gives mankind knowledge of one another.
Reciprocity of trade promotes reciprocity
of friendship. Good trade insures good will.
The heart as well as the mind contributes
directly to the progress of mankind, and
wherever we secure just and fair CONNER
ciaI relations with other nations we are
sure to have friendly political relations
with them.
"Abating none of our interest in the home
market let us move steadily out to new
fields and increase the demand for our
products in the foreign market. 1t should
be our settled purpose to open trade
wherever we can making our ships and
our commerce messengers of peace and
amity. The consular service of the govern
ment should be closely scrutinized and care
fully Differed. and we should have at every
commercial port of the world sensible and
practical American who while discharging
all his other duties with honor to the gov
eminent, will not omit in every proper way
to promote American exchanges and en-
courage reciprocal trade.
Finally, if are entering upon an era
Of prosperity such as many believe and all
fervently hope, remembering our recent
panic and financial experience, we should
strengthen the weak places in our financial
system and remove it forever from am
biguity~and doubt"
The Presidents address was listened to
with the closest attention throughout
punctuated now and then with applause
but at the close the explosion was spon-
taneous and long continued.
Wna