The Portland daily press., 1898-10-20

not anticipated and could not have been
we'll foreseen. We cannot avoid the seri-
GUS questions which havo 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 coyen-
ants which the war has sacredly sealed
with mankind.
"Aocepting war for humanity's saks,
we must accept all obligations which the
war in duty and in honor, imposed upon
achieved would be our eternal shame and
not our everlasting glory for they led to
the weakening of our original lofty pur-
poss or to the desertion of the immortal
principles on which the government was
founded and in accordance with whose
enrolling spirit 1t has ever since peen
faithfully administered.
1.-THE war with Spain was undertaken
not that the United States should increase
Its territory. but that the oppression ut
our very doors should be stopped. This
noble sentiment must continue to ami.
mate us and we must give to the world
the full demonstration of our purpose.
I Duty determines destiny. Destiny
which results from duty performed may
ure and dishonor. Pursuing duty may
not always lead by smooth paths. An
other course may look easier and more
attractive, but pursuing duty for duty's
sake is always sure and safe and honor
able.
sit Is not within the power of man to
foretall the failure and to solve unerring-
ly It's mighty problems Almighty God
has his plans and methods for human
progress and not infrequently they are
shIouded for the time being in impenetra-
BILE mystery. Looking backward we can
see now that the hand of destiny builded
for us and assigned MS tasks whose full
meaning was not apprehended even by
the wlsest statesman of their times. Our
colonial ancestors did not enter upon
their war originally for Independence.
Abraham 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 defec-
tive. Short-sightedness is common
malady, but the closer we get to them or
they to us, the clearer our view and the
less obscure our duty. Patriotism must
be faithful as we'll as fervent; statesman
ship must be wise as well as fearless-not
the craftsmanship which will command
the applause of the hour, but the judg-
Inent Of posterity.
prevsnt degeneration. There must be
new life and purpose or there will be
weakness and decay. There must be
broadening of thought as swell as of
broading of trade. Territorial expansion
is not alone and always necessary to ma
tional advancement. There must be
constant movement toward higher and
nobler civilization, civilization that
shall settle its conquests without resort
to war and achieve its greatest victories
pursuing the arts of peace. In our present
situation, duty and duty alone should
prescribe the boundary of our responsible
tiles and the score of our undertaking..
INN IF ,I1r
poses awaits the action of the eminent
men who are charged by the executive
with the making of tue treaty of peace
and that of the Senate Of the United
States which, BY our constitution must
ratify and confirm it. We all hope and
pray that the confirmation of peace will
be as just and as humane as the conduct
and contamination of the war. When
the work of the treaty makers Is done,
the work of the law makers will begin.
The one will settle the extent Of our re-
disabilities; the other must provide the
legislation to meet them. The army and
navy have nobly and heroically per-
executive and Congress wisdom to per-
form their duty.
The Presidents utterances were greeted
with vooiferous applause.
Clark howell of Atlanta then eloquent |
" responded to the sentiment "Our Re- |
united Country. North and South
The Hon. Adlai N. Stevenson respond
ed to the toast, "The Presidents Of the |
United States.'' He said, in part:
Not Chicago alone. but nlinois-the |
state that gave the immortal Lincoln to
the Presidency and to the ages-bids
YOU welcome Mr.. President
The incumbent Of this great Office holds
with unchallenged title the most exalted
station known to men. 1t augurs well
for the future Of the republic when the
American people magnify this office;
when they honor as now the President
who has so ably upheld it's dignity; so
worthily met its solemn responsibilities;
so periodically discharged its exacting
and imperative duties.
1t is our glory in the retrospect of more
than Q century that none other than
Observation-Disclosures well equipped for the
discharge of Its dutiss-have ever been
chosen to the Presidency. May we not be
lievs that the past is the earnest of the
future and that during the rolling CEN
turies the incumbsnts of the great of1cs
in the the near future and in the remote
future, will Provo the guardians and de.
tenders of the constitution and of the
rights of all the people.
The United States emerges from tne
conflict with Spain united people.
Henceforth, for all time we present to
the foreign foe an unbroken front.
No less important is the fact that tne
United States of America today as never
before, commands the respect and aoml.
ration of the world. For all this, all
honor to our brave soldiers and sailors;
all honor to the hands and hearts OF
Americas women. Thankful to God Tor
all that He has vouohsafed us In the past
and with the prayer that henoeIortn peace
shall be the priceless boon OF nations, we
await the dawn of the new century and
trrr onr eves hopefully, confidently to
the future. .-.
Mr.. Stevanson's address was continu-
ousIy int erruptsd by applause.
Chairman MaoVeagh paid an eloquent
tribute to the American soldier as he
called upon the tw 20 men most prominent
in the late war to reply to the toast "The
Army"
The toast was drunk amid wild enthu-
siasm, cheer after cheer ringing through
the hall, as General Miles rose to speak.
Every allusion to the deeds performed
by the American lighting men was greeted