The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-16
AT THE AUDITORIUM.
President Mckinley Addresses an Au-
dience of 1900 People.

Olence OF ssOUO ItOpACs
ATLANTA, Ca, Dee. 15.-The club recep-
ton ended, the President was driven to the
Agricultural building of the exposition,
known as the Auditorium. Seven thousand
persons rose from their seats as the chief
executive entered the auditorium. The band
played 1.-THE Star-spangled Banner amid
considerable applause, but when the strains
of Dixie" filed the building the crowd
went wild. President Mckinley stood up and
waved his hat above his head. Mr. Hemp
hill, president of the jubilee association,
made lengthy speech. He was followed by
Governor Gambler in an address Of well
come. AS the President stepped forward the
large audience applauded heartily. His
speech was punctuated by constant cheers,
but there were no outbursts similar to that
which marked the Presidents reference yes
terday to the Confederate dead. He said:
II cannot withhold from this people my
profound thanks for their hearty reception
and the good will which they nave SHOWN
me everywhere and in every way since
have been their guest. l thank them Tor the
opportunity this occasion gives me OF meet
Ing and greeting them ana Tor the pledSuie
ii affords me to participate with lhefil III
honoring the army and navy, TO WHOSE
achievements we are indebted Tor one OF
the most brilliant chapters of American MS
tory -,
'iOther parts of the country have had
their
honor of the historic events Oh Ile pass
year, but nowhere has there been greater
rejoicing than among the people mere Sdtn-
cred as representatives of the South L con-
graduate them upon their accurate oDSerV-
ance of events which enabled them 10 IN
a date which insured them the privilege OF
being the first to celebrate the signing OF
the treaty of peace by the American anu
Spanish commissioners.
Under a hostile fire on Il foreign soll,
fighting in q common cause, the memory
of old disagreements has faded into history.
From camp and campaign there come the
magic healing which has closed "a, aricI this
result every American patriot VIII forever
rejoice. 1t is no small indemnity for the
cost of war.
INVINCIBLE IN WAR.
This government has proved itself irwin
chile in the recent war, and out OF 1t has
come a nation which will remain indivls-
ible forevermore No worthier contributions
have been made in patriotism and in men
than by the people of these Southern States
When at last the opportunity came they
were eager to meet it, and with promptness
responded to the call of countr Entrusted
with the able leadership of L dear to
them, who had marched with fathers
under another flag, now fighting nder the
old flag again, they have gloriously helped
to defend it's spotless folds and added new
luster to it's shining stars. That nag mas
it remains the symbol of liberty and law,
of peace and progress. Who will withdraw
from the people over whom 1t toats It's pro-
tecting folds? Who will haul 1t down!
1.-The victory we celebrate is not that OF a
ruler, a President or a Congress, but OF the
people. The army whose Valor we ADMIRE
and the navy whose achievements we APP
plaud were not assembled by draft or con-
scription, but from voluntary enhstment'
The heroes came from civil as we'll as mill
tary life. Trained and unframed soldiers
wrought our triumphS.
'',rhe peace we have won is not selfish
truce of arms but one whose conditions
presage good to humanity. The domains Sc
cured under the treaty yet to be acted on
by the Senate came to us not as the result
of crusade of conquest. but as the reward
of temperate, faithful and fearless response
to the call of conscience which could not
be disregarded by liberty-lovlng ana
Christian people We have so borne our
selves In the conflict and in our intercourse
with the powers of the world as to escape
complaint and complication, and given uni
yersal confidence of our high purpose and
unselfish sacrifices for struggling peoples.
THE task is not fulfilled. Indeed, 1t is
only just begun. The most serious work IS
still before us, and every energy OF heart
and mind must be bent and the impulses
of partisanship subordinated to its faithful
execution. This is the time for earnest, not
faint hearts.
New occasions teach new duties To
this Nation and to every nation there come
formative periods in it's life and history.
New conditions can be met only by new
methods. Meeting these conditions hopeful
ly and facing them bravely and wisely is to
be the mightiest test of American virtue
and capacity. Without abandoning past
limitations, traditions and principles, but by
meeting present opportunities and obliga-
lions, we shall show ourselves worthy or
the great trusts which civilization has i'm
posed upon us.
'At Bunker Hill liberty was at stake at
Gettysburg the Union was the ISSUE before
Manila and Santiago our armies fought not
for gain or revenge, but for human rights.
They contended for the freedom of the OPP
mr. for TEyhn
States has never failed to lend a helping
hand to establish and uphold, and. l be-
lieve, never will. The glories Of the war
cannot be dimmed, but the result will be
incomplete and unworthy of us unless sup
plemented by civil victories, harder, posi-
bly,, to win, in their way no less indis-
pensable.
NO TASK TOO DIFFICULT.
1--WE will have our difficulties and our en-
barrassments. They follow all victories
and accompany all great responsibilities.
They are inseparable from every great
movement or reform But American ca
pacity has triumphed over all in the past.
Doubts have in the end vanished. Apparent
dangers have been averted or avoided, and
our history shows that progress has come
so naturally and steadily on the heels of
new and grave responsibilities that as we
look back upon the acquisitions of territory
by our fathers we are filed with wonder
that any doubt could have existed or any
apprehension could have been felt of the
wisdom of their action or their capacity to
grapple with the then untried and mighty
problems.
1.-The Republic is to-day larger stronger
and better prepared than ever before for
wise and profitable development in new di-
rections and along new lines. Even if the
minds of some of our own people are still
disturbed by perplexing and anxious doubts
in which all of us have shared and still
share. the genius of American civilization
will, | believe, be found both original and
great interests which shall be confided to
our keeping.
Forever in the right, following the best
impulses and clinging to high purposes,
using properly and within right limits our
power and opportunities, honorable reward
must inevitably follow. The outcome cam
not be in doubt.
1--WE could have avoided all the difficult
ties that lie across the pathway of the Ma
ton if a few months ago we had coldly ig-
and oppressed inhabitants of Cuba. If we
had blinded ourselves to the conditions so
near our shores and turned a deaf to
our suffering neighbors, the issue of terri
torial expansion in the Antilles and the
East Indies would not have been raised.
Is there anyone who would now declare
another to have been the better course?
With less humanity and less courage on our
part the Spanish flag. instead of the stars
and stripes. would still he floating at Ca
Vite at Ponce and at Santiago. and a
ing to millions of human beings who to-
day call this Nation noble, and who, trust,
will live to call it blessed.
''Thus far we have done our supreme
in war is written in the treaty of peace and
the civilized world aDUlatidg and waits in