The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-06-12
NpKINLEY's SPEECH.
Centennial Anniversaries Declared
ALWAYS Interesting.

Always Interesting.
Nashville, Tenn, June 11-Following is
President McKinley's speech:
"Oficers of the Tennessee Centennial
Exposition, Ladies and Gentlemen: Amer
lean nationality, compared with that of
Europe and the east, is still very young;
and yet already we are beginning to have
age enough for centennial anniversaries
in states outside of the original thirteen.
Such occasions are always interesting, and
when celebrated in a practical way, are
useful and instructive. Combining retro
spect and review, they recall what has
been done by state and nation, and point
out what yet remains for both to accom-
plish in order to fulfill their highest des-
tiny,
This celebration is of general interest
to the whole country and of special sig
nificance to the people of the south and
west. 1t marks the end of the first century
of the state of Tennessee, and the close
of the first year of its second century.
One hundred and one years ago this state
was admitted into the union, as sixteenth
member in the great family of American
cOmmonwealths 1t was welcome addi-
tion to the national household COM
munity young, strong and sturdy, with an
| honOred and historic ancestry, with fond
anticipations not only of its founders, but
faith in its success on the part of far
seeing and sagacious statesmen in all parts
of the country / am justified in saying
that these anticipations have been grand
ly realized, that the present of this COM
munity of sterling worth is even brighter
than prophets of the past had dared to
forecast it.
THE builders of the state, who had
forced their way through the trackless
forests of this splendid domain, brought
with them the same high ideals and fear
less devotion to home and country found
ed on resistance to oppression, which have
everywhere made llustrious the Anglo
American name. Whether it was the ter
ritory of Virginia or that of North Caro-
lima mattered little to them. They came
willing and eager to fight for independence
and liberty, and in the war of the revolu-
ton were ever loyal to the standard of
Washington. When their representatives
served In the Colonial assembly of North
Carolina they chose-for the first time in
our country, so far as l know, the great
name of Washington for the district in
which they lived and at the close of the
revolution sought to organize their terri
tory into a state to be known as the state
of Franklin, in grateful homage to the
name of another of its most distinguished
patriot commoners.
Spain sought to possess this territory
by right of discovery as a part of Florida.
France claimed 1t by right of cession as
a part of Louisiana, and England as hers
by conquest. But neither condition could
for an instant be recognized. Moved by
the highest instincts of self-government
and the loftiest motives of patriotism un-
der gallant old John Sewer, at King
mountain, your forefathers bravely vim
dicated the honor and gloriously won their
independence.
Thus came the new state second only
hon, 49, Y1t, afrrtaf
west, and it has made a wonderful history
for itself. Tennessee has sometimes been
called the Mother of Southwestern STATES
men, 1t furnished us the immortal Jack
son, whose record In war and whose adj
ministration in peace as the head of the
great republic shines on with the advanc-
ing years. The country has only added
to the luster of his name, increased the
obligations Of his countrymen and eXalt-
ed him In their affection. Polk and john
son also we're products Of this great state,
and many more heroes Of distinguished
deeds whose names will come unbldden 90
your memories while / speak.
"rennesseeans have ever been volunteer,
not drafted patriots In 1916 when 2400
soldiers were called for, 10000 loyal Ten
nesseeans offered their services, and, amid
the trials and terrors Of the civil war,
under conditions of peculiar distress and
embarrassment her people divided on
contendlng sides. But, upon which ever
side found, they fought feariessy 10 death
and gallant sacrifice. Now. happily,
there are no contending sides In this glo-
rlous commonwealth, or In any part OF
our common country. The men who OPP
posed each other In dreadful battle a third
OF a century ago are once more and for
ever united together under one flag, and n
never -be-broken union.
"The glory Of Tennessee is not alone IN
the brilliant names IL has contributed TO
history or the heroic patriotism display
ca by the people in 80 many crises OF our
national life, but les materials and indus
trial wealth, social advancement and pop
ulaton are striking and significant in
their growth and development.
"Thlrty-nve thousand settlers in this
state In 1870 had increased 10 i.109OOO I'M
1850. and to-day II has population closely
anproximatlng 100000. It's manufactures.
which. In 1860. were small and unimport-
ant. In 1890 had reached Sl2,O0.00O IN value.
while It's farm products now aggregate
more than s62.O00.0OO annually It's river
commerce on three great international
waterways, It's splendid railroad. operat-
ing nearly 5000 miles Of road. it's mineral
wealth Of incalcuable value, form q splen-
aid augury for the future. I am sure no
better workmen could be found than the
Continued on Fifth Pagel