Smyrna times., 1898-10-19
M'KINLEY ON WAR.
New and Wider Responsibilities Growing
Out of II.

Inc auditorium at the exposition al
Omaha last week, was packed to hear
PRESIDENT Mckinley and Postmaster.
General Smith speak. This was the
formal exercise of the peace jubilee.
PRESIDENT Wattles of the exposition ex-
tended greeting to the distinguished
guests, and President Mckinley re-
pied. The President said:
My greeting is not alone to vour
city and the State of Nebraska, but to
the people of all the States of the
Trans Mississippi group participating
here, and | cannot withhold congratu-
latlons on the evidences of their pros
perlty furnished by the great exposi-
ton. If testimony were needed to
establish the fact that their pluck had
not deserted them. and that prosper
lty is again with them, it is found
here. This picture dispels all doubt.
In an age of expositions thew have
added dyetanother magnificent example.
The historical celebrations at Philadel-
phla and Chicago, and the splendid ex-
hlblts at New Orleans, Atlanta and
Nashville, are now part of the past,
and yet IN influence they still live. and
thelr benehcent results are closely in
terwoven with our national deveIon-
ment. Similar rewards will honor the
authors and patrons of the TRANSMITS
slsslppi Exposition. Their contribu-
ton Will mark another epoch in the
nations material advancement.
1T has been said by some one that
the normal condition of nations is war.
That is not true of the United States.
We never entered upon war until every
effort of peace without it has been ex-
hausted. Ours has never been mill
tary government. Peace with those
blessings we have been so singularly
favored, is the national desire and the
goal of every American aspirations
'On the 25th of April, the first time
for more than a generation. the limited
States sounded the call to arms. What
wonderful experience it has been
from the standpoint of patriotism and
achievement The storm broke SO
suddenly that it was here almost be-
fore we realized it. Our navy was too
small, though forceful with its modern
equipment, and most fortunate in its
trained officers and sailors. Our army
had years ago been reduced to a peace |
footing. We had only $4,000 available
troops when the war was declared. but
the account which officers and men
gave of themselves on the battle fields |
has never been surpassed.
'True manhood was there everv-
where. American patriotism was there
and It's resources were limitless The
courageous and invincible spirit of the
people proved glorious, and those who
little more than a third of a century
ago were divided and at war with each
other were again united under the
holy standard of liberty. Patriotism
Danished party feeling; $50, 200, 900 for
5he national defense was appropriated
without debate or division, as a matter
1f course.
But if this is true of the beginning of
he war, what shall we say of it now,
With hostilities suspended and peace
It hand, as we frevently hope? Match
ess in its results, unequalled in its
and the quick succession
With which victory followed victory.
''The heroes Of Manila and Santiago
nd Porto Rico have made immortal
history. They are worthy successors
nd descendants of Washington and
ireene, of Paul Jones, Decatur and
iull, and of Grant, Sheridan and
logan, of Farragut. Porter, and Cush
ng, and of Lee, jackson and Long
treet.
New names stand out on the honor !
oil OF the nations great men, and I
nth them unnamed stand the heroes
the trenches and the forecastle. in l
lncible in battle and uncomplaining I
death. Who will dim the splendor t
their achievements? Who will with t
old from them their well-earned dis c
notion? Who will intrude detraction t
this time to belittle the spirit of the v
merican youth and impair the use
illness of the American navy?