The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-10-20

president Mckinley, announcing that he
would reply 10 the toast "Our Country"
1t was several minutes before the cheer
/ ing had subsJded sufficiently 10 allow the
presicet voice to be heard aud when he
was afforded m opportunity he made the
following address. his utterances being
greeted with vociferous applause:
IL ahords me great qualification to meet
the people OF the city OF Chicago and to
participate with them In this patriotic cello
bfaton Upon the suspension OF hostili-
lies Of foreign war, the first IN our his
tory for over half a century. we have met
In a spirit OF peace, profoundly grateful
for the glorious advancement already made
and earnestly wishing IN the final termi ma
lou TO realize an equally glorious fulfill
ment.
With no feeling OF exuitation. but with
profound thankfuness. We contemplate the
events Of the past five months. They have
been too serious to admit OF Boosting or
Standardization. vhey have been so full
OF responsibility immediate and pros
pective, rs TO adm0nish the soberest judg
ment and counsel the most conservative
action. This Is not the time to fire the
imagination but rather TO discover in calm
reason the way to truth and justice and
right, and when discovered to follow IL
With fidelity and courage without fear.
. hesitation or weakness.
The war has put on the Nation grave re-
sponslbilitles. Their extent Was not an
ticipated and could not have been we'll fore
seen. We can not escape the obligat ona
| OF victory. We can not avoid the serious
questions which have been brought home
| to US by tho achievements of our arms on
land and SEA. We are bound in conscience
| 10 keep and perform the covenants which
| the war has sacrehly sealed with mankind.
| Accepting war for humanitys sake. we
must accept all 0bligduHs which the war
In duty and honor imposes upon us. The
splendid Victories we have achieved would
he our eternal shame aud not our eyerlast-
| ing glory II they led 10 the weakening OF
our original lofty purposes or the desertion
! OF the moral principles on which the
government was founded,
The war with Spain was undertaken not
thai the United States should Increase Is
| territory. but that The oppressed at our
| very doors should be freed. This must
| still animate us and we must give 70 the
world tho full demonstration Of our pur-
| pose.
Duty determines destiny. Destiny which
results from duty performed may bring
perls. but never failure and dishonor
Pursuing duty may not always lead by
smooth paths. Another course may look
easier and more attractive, but pursuing
duty TOR duty's snke is always sure and
safe aud honorable.
II is not within the power OF man 10
foretell the future aud to solve It's unerrlng
| mighty problems. Almighty God has II 8
plans snd methods for human progress and
not infrequertly they are shrouded for the
time being In impenetrahle mystery, Look
| ing backward We can sec how The hand of
DEFY buildca for us and assigned us tasks
whose sull meaning WIS aaj gpnr ii "a Il
even by the wisest statesmen OF their
times. Our colonial ancestors did not eli
ter upon their war originally Tor indie
panatcta Abraham Llnaoin dd ne. START
out 10 free the slaves hut 10 save the
Union. The Spanish war was not OF our
seeking aud some Of It's copseQu poes may
not no TO our liking. our vision is often
detective. Short sightedness Is common
malay, but the closer we get TO things or
they get 10 us he clearer our view ana the
less obscure our duty. Patriotism must be
faithful as well as ferveat. stltesmansh.p
must be wise as well as fearless not the
craftsmanship which viii command The an
plaust of the hour, but the Judgment OF
pos,euty.
The progress OF u nation can alone pre-
vent degeneration There must be new
life aud purpose or there will be weakness
and decay. There must be broadening Of
thought as well as broadening OF trade
Territorial expansion Is not alone ard al
ways necessary to National adytncement, /
There must be a constant movement Ia
ward a higher and n0blcr civilization. a
Iclvinaatior that shall make Its c0nquests
without resort TO war and achieve rs
greatest victories pursutag She srts OF
peace. In our present situation duty and
duty alone should prescribe the boundary
OF our responsibility and the scope OF our
undertakings.
The iinal determination OF our purpose
awals 't& action of The en,ine,t mo- Nh,
are charged by the executive with maldpr
tue treaty OF peace aud that OF the senate
OF tho United States which BY our constr
tu'ion must ,atify End confirm Il. To that
end we all hops and pray that the coan~ma-
ton Of peace Will be as Just and humane
Ms the conduct ma consumma;iop Of Tho
war, When the work OF tho treaty make
- done the work OF The law maker VIII
begin The one VIII settle the extent az
our responsibilities; tho other mus nro-
Vide The legislation to meet them, Tho
army AM navy have nohly and hero,esIlv |
performed their part. May God give The |
executive and congress wisdom TO perform |
theirs, '"'
The men OF the South who have delver,,
addresses during the jubilee have won
so'den opinions The speech % h,Jge
speef OF Georgia ~ the opsnirg ueotin,, ~
Yesterday was a revelation TO th,ae WI,
had never heard him ana the address ~
Clerk Howell OF Atlanta who resnona,, |
70 the sentiment, Our Urned Country