The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-06-11
President at the Nashville
Exposition.
Escorted to Hotel by Ex-COn-
federate Soldiers.
An Eloquent Speech on Growth and
Progress of Tennessee.

Nashville. Tenn. juno 11.-President
Mckinley and party arrived at a. m.
and were escorted TO the Maxwell House
by squad Of mounted ex-Confederate
soldiers in uniform.
BHter the president and his party wore
escorted TO the Exposition, where they
were received with much enthusiasm
| President Mokinley's speech was listened
| to with marked attention. lie spoke as
! follows:
The Presidents Address.
Officers of the Tennessee Centennial Ex-
! hibition, Ladies and Gentlemen :-Ameri-
can 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 other than the original thirteen.
| Such occasions are always Interesting
| and when celebrated in practical way
are useful and instructive. Combining
retrospect and review they recall what has
been done by state and nation and point
out what yet remains for both to accom-
plish their highest destiny. This celebra-
tion is of general interest to the whole
country, and of special significance to the
people of the south and west lt marks
the end of the first century of the state OF
OF its second century.
Antlcipations Grandly Realized
One hundred and one years ago this
state was admitted into the Union as the
sixteenth member in the great family
of American commemorative. 1t was a
welcome addition to the national house.
hold, community young strong and
sturdy, with an honored and heroic ances-
try with fond anticipations not only OF
lxte tls.
part OF farseein9 and sagacious statesmen
in all parts of the country l ain JUS
titled In saying that these anticipations
have been grandiy realized, that the pres
eDt prospects or this community OF ster-
ling worth- -are-ereH- fhter- than THE
prophets of the east had dared TO forecast
IL. The builders of the state who had
forced their way through the trackless
forest of this splendid domain, brought
with them the same high ideals and fear
less devotion TO home and country,
founded on resistance To oppression,
which have everywhere made Industrious
the Anglo-American name.
Tennessee has sometimes been called the
mother of the southwestern states. It
furnished us the immortal jackson, whose
record in war and whose administration
in peace as the head of the great republic
shines on with the advancing years The
century has only added TO the lustre OF
his name, increased the obligations of
his countrymen, and exalted him in their
affection. Polk and johnson also were
products of this great state, and many
more heroes of distinguished deeds whose
names will come unbidden 20 your
memories while L speak.
Volunteer, Not Drafted, Patriots.
Tennesseans have ever been volunteers,
not drafted, patriots. In 1864, when 2400
soldiers were called for 30 600 loyal Ten
the trials and terrors of tho great Civil
war under conditions of peculiar dis
tress ana embarrassment her people
divided on contending sides, but upon
whichever side found, they fought fear
lessly TO death and gallant sacrifice. Now
happily there are no contending sides in
this glorious commonwealth nor in any
part of our common country. The men
who opposed each other in dreadful battle,
a third of "a century ago. are once more
and forever united together under one
flag. in never to- be- broken union.
The glory of Tennessee Is not alone In
the brilliant names it has contributed to
history or the heroic patriotism displayed
by the people in so many circles OF our
national life, but its material and indus
trial wealth, social advancement and
population are striking ana significant
in their growth and development. Thirty
five thousand settlers In this state In
1890 had increased 10 ], l09 600 in 1860
and today IL has "A population closely ap.
proxmatipg . 600, coo. Its manufactures,
which in 1850 were small and unimport.
ant in 1890 had reached S12 600, 600 in
value, while its farm products now ag-
gregate more than So, 600, 900 annually.
What the Exposition shows.
Your exposition shows better than any
words of mine can tell the details of your
wealth and resources and power of pro-
ductiop YOu have done wiSely in OK
hibiting these to your own people and TO
your sister states and at no time could tho
display DC more effective than now, when
what tho country needs is restored conil-
dcnco in itself. This exposition demon
strates directly your own faith and pur'
pose and signifies in the widest sense your
true and unfailing belief in the irrepros
sible pluck of the American people and 1t
is "a promising indication Of the return of
American prosperity.
The knowledge which this beautiful and
novel exposition gives will surely stimu-
late competition, develop your trade, In
crease your output enlarge your fields of
employment, extend your markets, and so
eventually pay for all its cost, rs we'll as
Justify local sentiment and encourage
state pride.
Men and women 1 see about mo from
all parts of the country and thousands
more will scmble hero before the expo
sition is closed. Lot ourselves and let
them always remember that whatever
differences about politics may have existed,
or still exist. we are all Americans, but we
are not partisaus and We value the well
fare of All the people above party or Soc
tion. Citizens OF diferont states, we yet
love all tho states. Tho lesson of the hour
think. is this-whatever avorse con-
ditions may temporarily impede tho path
way Of our national progress nothing can
permanently defeat It,