The Ravalli Republican., 1898-10-19
THE PRESIDENT AT OMAHA.
Magnificent Patriotism OF tho American.
People His Theme

PRESIDENT Mckinley and party at.
tended the Omaha exposition last
Wednesday and met with most en-.
thusiastic reception. in his speech
the president said: ."=
One OF the great laws Of life i:
progress, and nowhere have the prin.
cip]es Of this law been SO strikingly
illustrated as in the United States.
a century and a quarter of our ma
tional life has turned doubt into con.
viction, changed experiment into
demonstration, reyOlutiOniZed old
methods and won new triumphs,
which have challenged the attention
Of the world. We have avoided
temptations Of conquest for d spirit
OF gain. With increased love for oul
institutions and abiding faith ir
their stability, we have made the
trilmphs Of system Of government
in the progress and prosperity of our
people an inspiration to the whole
human race.
On the 25th Of April, for the first
time for more than a generation, the
United States sounded the call tC
arms. The announcements Of wal
were unfurlcd, and the best anC
braycst from every section respond
ed. y mighty army was enrolled
north and south We'd with each other
in patriotic devotion; science was in.
vOkcd to furnish the most effective
weapons: factories were rushed tC
supply equipment; youth and veteran
joined in freely Offering their services
to their country. What a wonderful
experience it has been from the
standpoint OF patriotism and achieve.
mcnt.
The storm broke SO suddenly it was
here almost before we realized it.
Our navy was too small, though force
ful with modern equipment, and
most fortunate in trained officers and
sailors. Patriotism banishcd party
feeling; fifty million dollars for ma
t'onal defense was appropriated with
out debate or division, as a matter of
course, and as ouly Il mere indication
of ou! mightyrcservc power. But if
this was true Of the beginning of the
war, what shall we say of it now,
with hostilitics suspended and peace
near at hand, as we fcrvently hope:
Matchlcss in its results. uncqualIcd
in completeness and quick succession
with which victory followed victory,
at ttaincd earlier than it was believed
TO be possibIc; 50 comprehensive in
sweep that every thoughtful man
feels the weight Of the RESPONSE
b|ity which has been so suddenly
thrust upon us, and above all, and
beyond all, the Valor Of the American
army and bravery Of the Amcricar
navy and majesty Of the American
name stand forth in unsullied glory
while the humanity Of our purposes
and maghanimity Of our conduct
have given US always Christian sym.
pathy and charity aud examples OF
human grandeur which can never bt
lost to mankind.
Passion and bitterness formed nc
part Of our impelIing motive, and il
is gratifying to feel that Humanity
triunpIed at every step Of the wars
progress. The heroes OF Manila anC
Santiago and Porto Rico have made
ilnnorta! history. They are worthy
successors and descendants Of Wash
ington and Greene. Of Paul Jones
Decatur and Hull. and Of Grant
Sherman, Sheridan and Logan: OF
larragut, Porter and Cushing, an(
of Lee, Jackson and Longstrcet.
The mines stand out on tic honor
roll Of the nations great somcn, ant
with them unnamed stand the heroes
OF the trenches and the furecastle
inVinciblc in battle and unc0mplain.
ing in death, The intelligent, loyal
jndomitablc soldier and sailor an(
marine, regular and volunteer, arc
entitled to equal praise as having
done their whole duty, whether at
home or under the baptism Of fcrcig1
fire.
Who will dim the splcndor Of thcil
achievements? Who will withhold
from them their earned distinction:
Who will ntrude distraction at thi,
time to bclittlc the manly spirit 0
the American youth and impair tht
usefulness Of the American navy.
Who will cmbarrasS the government
by sowing seeds Of dissatisfaction
among the brave who stand ready tx
serve and die, il need be, for thei
country: Who will darkcn the coun
sells Of the republic in this hour re
quiring the united wisdom of all:
Shall VIC deny to ourselves what thu
rest Of the world SO freely and 81
justly accordS US?
The men who endured in the short
but decisive struggle It's hardships
its privationS, whether in the field O
camp, on ship or in the siege, ant
who planned and achieved it's vic
tories. will never tolerate impcach
mcnt, either direct or Indirect, 0
those who won a peace whose grea
gain to civilization is yet unknown
aHd the faith Of Il Christian natiOr
recognizes the hand Of Almighty Coo
in the ordeal through which the Tn
tied States has passed. Divine iavo
seemed manifest everywhere.
In fighting for hunanity's sake w
have been SignaI!y blessed. We dix
not seek war. TO avoid it, If thi
could be done in Justice and honor t.
the rights Of our neighbors and our
selves, was our constant prayer. Th
war was not more invited by us tlla
were the questions which are laid a
our door by its results.