The age-herald., 1898-12-18
h Honor of the Distinguished Guests
 at the Hotel DeSOtO.
EXECUTIVE DELIVERS AN ADDRESS
The Nation, He Says, Has Entered New Path, and is Treading an Unexplored Field Which
 WulTest Our Wisdom.

Savannah, Ga., Oecehpei A''
 ton of President Mckinley and the Heni- bers of his cabinet by the people ol SaVah- nah today more than equalled, Tn hospi.aii'y and completeness of arrangement any pre- vious experiences which have marked the presidential trip through the south. ne party arrived from Montgomery at Il a.. m., reviewed 10000 troops stationed around Savannah, went down the savannah rlVer and was entertained this evening at grand banquet given by the chamber Of com meree and association of citizens The en- thusiasm of the Savannah people and or the 15. 900 persons who it is estimated had come into the city from the surrounding coun- try to greet the president was fully equal to the remarkable demonstrations which have distinguished the trip to other clties'
 At the banquet tonight in the De Soto hotel. where the presidential party IS stay ing. President Mckinley, amid frequent ap- nlause. addressed his audience, consisting oi over 200 persons, as follows:
 Cat !, for Cong ratulation
 "There is cause for congratulation that with the grave problems before us growing out of the war with Spain we are free rom any divisions at home.
 "Our financial and revenue policies can mt he changed for at least four years, and whatever legislation may be had affecting them during that period will be to improve and strengthen, not destroy them.
 "The public mind can therefore repose in reasonable security while business will pro- eeed without apprehension of oerious and snddan changes so disturbing to the com mercial world and so distracting to the bus- mess man; all of which is unfortunate Tor the country, for every interest ana every section of the country. Even those WHO desire other and different policies prefer permanence to constant change or, what Is almost as hurtful, the fear of change. There are happily now no domestic dlner- ences to check the progress and prosperity of the country which our peaceiui relations witt. the whole wrold will encourage ana strengthen.
 This is fortunate, too, in another sense. It leaves the country free to consider and discuss new questions which are imminent before us, unbiased by party or past poht- ical alliances These new questions are to be thought out and wrought out, not Tn a spirit of partisanship, but in spirit or patriotism; not for the temporary advant- age of one party or the other, but for the lasting advantage of the country. Neither prejudice or passion, nor previous condition can embarrass the free action and calm Judgment of the citizens. We have entered upon new paths.
 Left the Beaten Track
 "We are treading in an unexplored field, which will test our wisdom and statesman shio. The chief consideration Is one of duty; our action must be controlled by 1t. No settlement Is admissible which will not preserve our honor and promote the best interests of all concerned. With united country and the gathered wisdom of all the people seeking only the right, inspired only by high purposes. moved only by duty and humanity, we cannot err. We may be baffled or deterred and often discouraged, but final success in cause which is alto- gether unselfish and humanitarian can only be deferred, not prevented
 '.If following the clear precepts of duty, territory falls to us and the welfare of an alien people require our guidance and pro- tection who will shrink from the responsi- bility, grave though it may be? Can we leave these people, who by the fortunes of war and our own acts, are helpless and without government to chaos and anarchy after we have destroyed the only govern ment they have had? Having destroyed their government, it is the duty of the American people to provide for them bet ter one. Shall we distrust ourselves, shall we proclaim to the world our inability to give kindly government to oppressed peo- ples, whose future by the victories of war is confided to us? We may wish it were otherwise, but who will question our duty now? It Is not a question of keeping the islands of the east, but of leaving them. Dewey and Merritt took them and the country instantly and universally ap- plauded."
 Cannot Now Retreat
 Could we have brought Dewey away without universal condemnation at any time from the first of May, the day of his bril- liant victory which thrilled the World with its boldness and heroism? Was 1t right to order Dewey to go to Manila and capture or destroy the fleet and despatch Merritt and his army to re-enforce him. It was a duty to send him there and duty required them to remain there, it was their clear duty to annihilate the fleet, take the city of Manila and destroy the Spanish sov- ereignty in the archipelago. Having done all that in the line of duty is it any less their duty to remain there and give to the inha bitants protection and also our guid- ance to a better government, which will secure to them peace and order and securi- ty in their life and property and in the pursuit of happiness? Are we ready to do this? Are we to sit down in our isolation and recognize no obligation to a struggling people whose present conditions we have contributed to make? would rather have the confidence of the poet Bryant, when he exclaims:
 ' Thou, my country, thou shalt never fall :" Seas and stormy air
 " Are the wide barrier of thy borders where !" Among thy gallant sons that guard thee
 we'll
 l" Thou laughest at enemies Who shall
 then declare
 !" The date of thy deep-founded strength
 or tell
 /" How happy in thy lap the sons of men
 shall dwell?
 My fellow citizens, whatever covenants duty has made for us in the year 1898 we must keep"