Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-09-16

stantly improving industrial condition
caused primarily by mechanical inven.
tions, scientific discoveries and the pro-
motion Of general knowledge. It isa
higher order Of human ingenuity and
industry, a more practical industrial
education, all resulting in superior
methods Of manufacture. The slow,
clumsy ways Of our forefathers have
given way to the improved methods Of
a more mechanical age.
1--WE are constantly discovering and
harnessing to our use new forces Of ma
ture, are continually utilizing new
ideas and better methods, and
tho inevitable result is, the civilized
world over, cheaper food, cheaper
goods, cheaper comforts. Let me
tell you who it is that is responsible for
this universal blessing Of lower
prices, Who are the public benefactors,
and who are entitled to our everlasting
gratitude 1t is the mechanic
who has the mental capacity to evolve
an idea--an idea which materializes in
the shape Of new machine, Or in an
improvement upon an old one; it is the
machinist standing ready with his skill
to utilize the mechanical force of the
idea thus evolved; it is the chemist
who sits In his laboratory working with
the zeal of an enthusiast both night and
day in order that he may discover some
hidden force of nature, some new com.
bination Of materials or substances,
some new process that will be more
powerful factor in the industrial world;
it is the scientist and the philosopher,
who, taking for their text the gospel Of
eternal truth as it stands revealed in
the geological strata and the physical
constitution of the universe, are con.
stantly dragging to the light Of day
better light and more knowledge. Ap.
plause.
"When, then, this new light and
knowledge have been brought to the
point of availability, when these new
machines have been invented and the
old ones improved, when all these new
forces, combinations and processes have
been brought to the point Of practical
utility, they are given to the world,
they become the world s property That
is what has enabled us to make such
wonderful progress, That is the secret
of our marvellous success That is
what has enabled US to multiply a
hundred and In some instances a thou.
sand fold our mechanical power, and
hence our productive capacity Ap.
plause.) The reason things sell
lower than formerly Is because
they are made cheaper, and
they are made cheaper because
Of better, superior methods and
processes employed In their
manufacture.
"Wby, sir, Mr. Mckinley might die
tomorrow and by the day after be ut
terly forgotten. Mechanical in
vention and scientific discovery would
not be retarded. The sun would still
continue to impart warmth and the rain
moisture to the earth. The seed sown
by the husbandman would germinate,
grow and develop into the annual har-
vest. None Of the essential conditions
upon which our prosperity depends
would be destroyed. But sir, you an
initiate the inventive genius Of your
people, destroy the skill Of your me-
chanics and machinists and the love Of
your scientists for their labor, and fur
ther progress would be simply impossi-
Bile. A standstill would be the result;
nay, not standstill, but a stagnation,
which in itself would be utterly intoler-
able.
1T is not to Mr.. Mckinley or any
other politician, but to the memory Of
the men who invented and have per.
fected your printing press; to the men,
ory Of the men who discovered the
power Of steam and who built your
steam engines, who invented and built
your power looms and cotton gins; to
the memory Of the men. who construct