The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-12-20

Savannah, Ga, December 1.-THE
reception of President Mckinley and
the members of his cabinet by the peo-
pie of Savannah more than equaled in
hospitality and completeness Of ar
rangement any previous experiences
which have marked the presidential
trip in the south.
The party arrived from Montgomery
at IL o'clock a. m, reviewed 10000
troops stationed around Savannah
took a trip down the Savannah river,
and was entertained this evening at a
grand banquet rendered by the cham
ber Of commerce and association Of
citizens. The enthusiasm of the Sa-
vannah people and of the $4,000 per-
sons, who, it is estimated, had come
into the city from the surrounding
country to greet the president, was
fully equal to the remarkable demon
strations which have distinguished the
trip in other cities.
Previous to the presidents speech a
cordial welcome had been extended to
him by d. G. Purse, president Of the
reception committee, and by the may
or Of Savannah =. w. Meldrim.
THE BANQUET.
At the banquet tonight in the Desc
to hotel where the presidential party
is staying, President Mckinley, amid
frequent applause, addressed his audi
ence consisting of over 200 persons as
follows:
There is cause for cOngratulatiOn
that with the grave problem before us
growing out of the war with Spain, we
are free from any divisions at home.
"Our financial and revenue policies
cannot be changed for at least four
years, and whatever legislation may
be had affecting them during that
period will be to improve and strength
en-, not destroy them. The public mind
can, therefore, repoSe in reasonable Sc
curity, while business will proceed
without apprehension Of serious and
sudden changes, so disturbing to the
commercial world and so distracting
to the business men. All of which is
fortunate for the country, for every
interest and every section of the cOun-
try. 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 differ
-ences to check the progress and pros
perity of the country which our peace
full relations with the whole world will
encourage and strengthen.
'"This is fortunate, too, in another
sense. 1t leaves the country free to
consider and discuss new questions
which are Immediately before us, un-
biased by party or past political alli-
ances These new questions are to be
thought out and wrought out, not in a
spirit of partisanship, but in a spirit
of patriotism, not for the temporary
advantage of one party or the other,
but for the lasting advantage of the
country. Neither prejudice nor passion,
nor previous condition can embarraSs
the free action and calm judgment of
the citizen. We have entered upon new
paths. We are treading in an unex-
plored field which will test our wisdom
and craftsmanship. The chief consid-
GRAFTON is one Of duty; our actions
must be controlled by it, No settle
ment is admissible which will not pre-
serve our honor and promote the best
interests of all concerned. With a unit
ed 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
TERED and often discouraged, but final
success in a cause which is altogether
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 oul
guidance and protection, who will
shrink from the responsibility, grave
though it may be? Can we leave these
people who by the fortunates of war
and our own acts, are helpless and
without government, to chaos and an
archy after we have destroyed the only
government they have had? Having
destroyed their government, it is the
duty of the American government to
provide for them a better one. Shall
we distrust ourselves? Shall we pro-
claim to the world our inability to
give kindly government to oppressed
peoples, 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 question of keeping the
islands of the east, but Of leaving
them. Dewey and Merritt took them
and the country instantly and univer-
sally applauded. Could we have
brought Dewey away without unfver-
sal condemnation at any time from the
1st of May, the day of his brilliant vic
tory, which thrilled the world with its
boldness and heroisnl? Was it right to
order Dewey to go to Manila and cap
ture or destroy the Spanish fleet and
dispatch Merritt and his army to re-
enforce him? If it were duty to send
them there and duty required them
to remain there, it was their clear duty
TO annihifate the fleet, take the city
of Manila and destroy the Spanish SOW
ereignty in the archipelago. Having
done all that in the line of duty, is
there any less duty to remain there
and give to the Inhabitants protection
and also our guidance to better gov