The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1897-06-19

1t has made q wonderful history for Itself.
Tennessee has sometimes been called the
Mother Of Southwestern Statesmen" 1t fur
nished 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 luster Of his name, in
creased the obligations Of his country, and ex-
allied 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 to your memories
while speak.
'Tennesseeans have been ever volunteers, not
drafted patriots. In 1876. when 2.40O soldiers
were called for, 30, 0OOloyal Tennesseeans offered
their services; and amid the trials and terrors
of the great civil war. under conditions OF
peculiar distress and embarrassment, her peo-
pie divided on contending sides. But upon
whichever side found, they fought fearles~ly to
death and gallant sacrifice.
Now happily there are no contending sides in
this glorious commonwealth or in any part OF
our common country. The men who opposed
each other in dreadful battle a third Of a GEN.
fury ago are once more and forever united to-
gether under one flag in a never-tc-be broken
union.
The glory Of Tennessee is not only alone in
the brilliant names it has contributed to his
tory or the heroic patriotism displayed by the
people in so many crises of our national life,
but its material and industrial wealth, social
advancement and population are striking
and significant in their growth and
development. Thirty-fve thousand settlers in
this state, in 1870, had increased to l, 100, 100 in
1850, and to-day it has a population closely ap-
proximating 100000. Its manufactures. which
in 1850 were small and uDimportant, in 1880 had
reached 81, 900 in value, while its farm
products now aggregate more than S82,OU.-
600 annually. Its river m on three great
tee ~n1anlfI SlN-n vs.
| operating nearly three thousand miles Of roads;
its mineral wealth Of incalculable value, form a
splendid augury for the future. 1 am sure no
better workmen could be found than the people
of Tennessee to turn these confident promises
into grand realities.
Your exposition shows better than any words
Of mine can tell the details of your wealth of
resources and power of production. You have
done wisely in exhibiting these to your own
people and to your sister states, and at no
time could the display be more effective than
now, when what the country needs more than
all else is restored confidence in itself. This
exposition demonstrates directly your faith and
| purpose, and signifies in the widest sense your
true and unfailing belief in the irrepressible
pluck of the American people, and is a PROM
Using indication OF the return Of American pros
perity.
The knowledge which this beautiful and novel
exposition gives will surely stimulate COMPETE
UlOn. ueVelOp your LTdue, llCFeaSt your output.
enlarge your fields OF employment, extend your
markets, and so eventually pay for all its cost,
as well as justify local sentiment and encourage
state pride.
Men and women, I see about me from all
parts of the country, and thousands more will
assemble here before the exposition is closed.
Let ourselves and let them always remember
that whatever differences about politics may
have existed, or still exist, we are all Amer
leans before we are partlsanS, and
| value the welfare of all the people above party
or section. Citizens of different states. we yet
love all the states. The lesson of the hour.
then, is this-that whatever adverse conditions
may temporarily impede the pathway of our
national progress, nothing can permanently de-
| feat it."
Generous was the applause given
to the members of the cabinet and dis
tinguished visitors, including Gov.
Bushnell and staff of Ohio, while to
Gov. Taylor Our Bob" as they love to
call him, a generous outburst was
awarded. Commissioner of Pensions
II. Clay Evans a native Tennesseean,
was also the recipient of hearty cheers.
Mrs. Mckinley had wisely concluded
not to accompany the party IN the pro-
cession and great was the disappoint-
ment expressed at her non-appearance.
When she did como it gave rise to one
of the most delightful incidents of the
trip. Gov. Bushnell was in the middle
of his speech when a cheer, swelling
| from the back of the auditorium and
thence communicating to the main floor
and galleries showed that some event
of extraordinary interest was tran
spring. A moment later Mrs. McKin-
ley appeared in the central aisle, lean
ing on the arm of Mr.. James b. Dunn,
and accompanied by her aunt, Mrs.
Saxton, and Mrs. John Hill Eakin, the
latter of Nashville.
Gov. Bushnell gracefully yielded the
floor and the immense audience was on
its feet in a moment, cheering most
Justify. The cheers were redoubled
when this gentle lady of the White
House reached the platform and the