Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-05-16
MAJOR M'KINLEY'S TRIBUTE.
SOUNDS THE PRAISES OF HIS EiRLI-
EST PREDECESSOR.
A Notable Gathering at the UnvelIing
CcremOnieS-MOVem for the
building of the Monument
Was Begun EiGhty-five
Years Ago.


man and the man. was hOnored to-day in
monumental bronze. The cord which re-
leased the sauding flags from the figure OF
the first ruler of the republic was drawn
b. its latest executive. Surrounding him
were mer in whose veins runs the blood of
those first patriots who battled shoulder TO
shoulder with Washington, and with him
made possible the scene enacted to-ddy-a
scene conceived and planned by those very
comrades-in-arms. executed by their sons
in peace.
II vas a notable gathering, and repre-
sentative of the country, including the
president the vice president and the cabi-
net officers; its defenders in the officers
and privates of the army and navy, and its
best blood I'm the direct descendants OF the
molders and makers of the nation. Major
William Wayne, president Of the Cincin-
natl, who formally presented the monu-
ment TO the city. traces his lineage straight
- Mad Anthony" and William W. Porter,
the orator of the day. is 4 grandson OF Da-
vid RitteHhouse Porter. the governor of
Pennsylvania. and a sreat-grandson of
General Andrew Porter. who was on WASH
ington's staff in the Revolution.
The actual unveiling ceremony was i'm
pIcssively simple. Bishop Whitaker opened
with prayer, and Major Wayne followed
with an appropriate address. Then came
the unveilinE by President Mckinley and
the resultant clamor, augmented by the
national salute OF twenty-one guns by the
artillery and by the foreign and American
war vessels in the Delaware. This con-
cluded, President Mckinley spoke briefly.
At sunrise this morning the boom of can
non from the batteries of the United States
troops camped in Fairmount park aroused
the city TO the greatest day i'm its history.
It was not long after that steady streams
Of people began to flow along every by
way leading to the Green street entrance
fhR aarlr MOI Gfs
The decorations throughout the city were
lavish, but, Of course, the greater labor
and attention had been devoted 10 the ho-
tells which sheltered the washington dig
nitaries. Both the Hotel Walton, where
the president and several members OF the
cabinet were housed and the Lafayette
which entertained the vice presidential
party, were literally swathed in flags and
bunting. The archways of the vast city
hall, a few blocks away, were literally
clothed I'm the tri-color and Chestnut street
was a flutteTing mass of red, white and
blue Stands were erected all along the
line of march.
The ceremonies proper began at noon.
when the parade moved from Broad and
Spruce streets under command Of Major
General SnOWden. and at the park IL
passed in review before the president
Bishop OH w. Whitaker, of the diocese
Of Pennsylvania, stepped to the speakers
table and offered up brief prayer.
Then Major William Wayne president of
the state and general Society of Cincinnati.
made brief address. This all occupied
arose, accompanied by the trustees OF the
statue, and crossed the driveway. As Re
did so quiet fell on the gathered throng.
Every eye was strained to the huge figure,
aprareled in the stars and stripes. Then
the president. with uncovered head, drew
the cord. the flags fell in bllowy cloud
from. the shaft and the mighty monument
stood revealed, while cannon on land and
water thundered. In moment il was over.
The president was escorted back TO the
stand. and as soon as silence could be Sc
cured he began his address. He said:
Fellow Citizens:-There is a peculiar and
tender sentiment connected with this
memorial. 1t expresses not only the graf
itude and reverence CT the living, but is a
testimonial Of affection and homage from
the dead. The comrades of Washington
projected this monument Their love in
spired il. Their contributions helped to
build ii. Past and present share in its
completion, and future generations will
profit by its lessons. To participate in the
dedication of such monument is a rare
ard precious privilege. Every monument
70 Washington is a tribute to patriotism.
Every shaft and statue to his memory
help to inculcate love OF country. encour-
age loyalty, and establish n better citizen
ship. God hlesses every undertaking which
revives patriotism and rebukes the indif-
"A critical study of Washington's career
only enhances our estimation Of his vast
and varied abilities. A cOmmander-in-chiCf
of the colonial armies from the beginning
OF the war TO the proclamation of peace.
as president OF the convention which
framed the constitution of the United
States, and as the first president of the
United States under that constitution
Washington has a distinction differing
from that OF all other iIlustriOus Ameri-
cans. No other name bsdrs or can bear
such a relation TO the government. Not
only by his military genius-his patience,
his sagacity. his courage and his skill
was our national independence won, but
he helped in the largest measure TO draft
the chart by which the nation was guided.
and he was the first chosen Of the people
10 put in motion the new government. His
was not the bOldress of martial display or
the charm Of captivating Oratory, hut his
calm and steady Judgment won mems sup
port and commanded their confidence by
appealing to their best and noblest as
pirations.
And withaI Washington was ever so
modest that at no time in his career did
his personality seem in the least intrusive.
He was above the temptation OF power.
He spurned the suggested crown. He
would have no honor which the people did
lot bcstow. An interesting fact-and one
which love to recalls that the only time
Washington formally addressed the con-
situtional convention during all its sessions
over which he presided i'm the city. he APP
pealed FOR a larger representation OF the
people in the national house of representa-
tves. and his appeal WAS instantly Needed.
Thus he was ever keenly watchful of the
rights Of the people in whose hands was
the destiny OF our government. then and
now.
"Masterful as were his military CAM
Ia.Eus, his civil administration commands
equal admiration. His foresight was mar
Nelous. his conception Of the philosophy
of government his insistence upon the me-
cessity OF education. morality and enlight-
euea cllllenSnlp 10 the progress ana per-
manence Of the Republic cannot be cOntcm-
plated even at this period without filling
us with astonishment at the breadth of his
comprehension and the scope of his vision.
Ills was no narrow view Of government,
The immediate present was not his sole
concern, but our future good his constant
theme of study. lie blaZci the path of
liberty. He laid the foundation upOn which
We have grown from weak and scattered
colonial governments 10 united republic
" hose domains and power as well as whose
liberty and freedom have become the adj
miratiOn OF the world. Distance and time
have not detracted from the fame and
the grandeur of his life and work. Great
deeds do not stop in their growth, and
those Of Washington Will expand in innu-
euCe in all the centuries 10 follow.
The bequest Washington has made TO
civilization is rich beyond computation. The
obligations under which he has placed man.
kind are sacred and commanding. The re-
sponsibility he has left for the American
people TO preserve and perfect what he
accomplished Is eNaCting and solemn. Let
us rejoice in every new evidence that the
people realize what they nioy and cherish
with affection the illustrious heroes of Rev
olutionary story whose Nalor and sacrifices
made us nation They live I'm us and their
memory Will help us Keep the covenant
pnt, red into for the maintenance OF the
frsest government on earth.
The nation and the name OF Washington
are inssparable. one is linked indissolUblv
with the other. Both are glorious both
triumphant. Washington lives and will live
beCause OF what he did for the eNaltafion
OF man. the enthrDnement OF conscience
and the establishment Of n government
which recognizes all the governed And so
obstacles. adherins TO the immortal prin-
gTa1eG which Washington fampht nj I a.,