Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-10-20

4 NoIluof'p VI tIe University OIL Mime
/ sofa.
/ At 10 o'clock. Chairman Macveagl
made speech and welcome and IN
! troduced President Mckinley. In tn.
course Of his remarks Mr. Macveagf
said:
.'onr people welcome peace. We re.
| joicc] that our soldiers and sailors are
/ done with battle. But we never for q
moment will forget the glorious deeds
! they have done. We believe we are
| appointed to achieve and illustrate the
trumphs of peace. How shall we use
| this peace of ours? Some of the most
! able men tell us we must be content
| to illustrate for mankind the evolution
of a commercial and Industrial nation
| But heaven help us II our lives stor
at that. Ought we not TO make our
power bcneficient; and not merel,
make it greater? Ought we not to
| aspire to leadership in behalf of the
| things we believe in and the great
| ideas we stand for? Our own nation is
already touched by larger conception
| of national life. Democracy has SER
iously begun to rule humanity; and
the Illuminating truth is that democ-
racy's ideals are not the ideals of iso-
ation. Its concern is mankind. 1t
was several minutes before the cheer
ing had subsidized sufficiently to allow
the Presidents voice to be heard
Our Country" was the toast to
which Mckinley responded. He said /:
1T affords me qualification to meet
the people of the city of Chicago and
to participate with them in this pari-
otto celebration. Upon the suspension
Of hostilities of foreign war, the
first in our history for over half CEN
fury, we have met in a spirit Of peace,
profoundly grateful for the glorious
advancement already made and earn
estly wishing in the final termination
to realize an equally glorious fulfill
ment.
With no feeling of exhultation, but
with profound thankfulness we con-
template the event Of the past five
months. They have been too serious
to admit Of Boosting of vain glorify-
cation. They have been so full of res
possibilities, immediate and prospec-
tive, as to advise the soberest judg-
nlent and counsel the most conserva-
tive action. This is not the time to
fire the imagination, but rather to dis
cover in calm reason the way to truth
ana justice and right and when dis
covered TO follow it with fidelity and
courage. without fear, hesitation or
weakness.
The war has put upon the nation
grave responsibilities. Their extent
was not anticipated and could not
have been well foreseen. We cannot
avoid the serious questions which have
been brought home to us by the
achievements of our arms on land and
sea. We are bound in conscience to
keep and perform the covenants which
the war has sacre3ly sealed with man
kind.
Accepting war for humanitys sake.
we must accept ali obligations which
the war in duty and honor imposed
upon us. The splendid victories we
have achieved would be our eternal
shame and not our everlasting glory
IT they led to the weakening of our
original lofty purpose or to the de-
sertion of the immortal principles on
which the government was founded |
and in accordance with whose ennobl- |
ing spirit it has ever since faithfully |
administered.
The war with Spain was undertake |
en- not that the United States should |
increase it's territory, but that oppres- |
sion at our very doors should be stop |
ped. This noble sentiment must con- |
tinue to animate us and we must give |
tothe world the full demonstration of |
our purpose. Duty determines destiny |
Destiny which results from duty per-
formed may bring anxiety and perils, |
but never failure or dishonor. Pur- |
suing duty may not always lead by |
smooth paths. mother course may look !
easier and more attractive but pursu-
ing duty for duty's sake is always sure
and safe and honorable.
1T is not within the power of man
to foretell the future and to solve I'M |
erringly its mighty problems. AL. |
mighty God has his plans and meth |
DDS for human progress and not in
they are shrouded for the |
time being in impenetrable mystery
Looking backward we can see now that |
the hand of destiny builded for us and
assigned us tasks whose full meaning
was not apprehended even by the wis
est statesmen of their times. Our col
'Iiidt tti.NSStoiS Giei hoi upcIf lHSiE
war originally for independence. Abra-
nam Lincoln did not start out to free |
the slaves. but to save the Union The
war with Spain was not of our seeking
and some of its consequences may not |
be to our liking. Our vision is often
defective. Short-sightedness is COM
mon malady. but the closer we get to
them or they get to US the clearer our
view and the less obscure our duty. |
Patriotism must be faithful as well as !
fervent: craftsmanship must be wise
as well as fearless-not the statesman |
ship which will command the applause
If the hour. but the Judgment of pos
Ierity.
The progress of nation can alone |
prevent degeneration. There must be |
lew life and purpose or there will De |
weakness and decay. There must be |
broadening of thought as we'll as Of |
of trade. Territorial ex-
pansion is not alone and always nee
sssary to national advancement There
must be constant movement toward |
I higher and nobler civilization. a civ |
iization that shall make it's conauests |
without resort to war and achieve its |
greatest victories pursuing the arts OF |
IY,