The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1898-02-26
President Mckinley replied as fol-
The Presidents Address.

lows.
The Presidents Address.
MIR PROvOST OFFICERS y STUDENTS OF
GHE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA. LADIES
AND Ii~ENTIEMES-We celebrate here, aS in
every part OF our country, the birthday of Il
great patriot, who assured the begin ming of Il
great nation. This day belongs to patriotism
and the people. But, in a certain sense. the
University OF Pennsylvania has a special rea-
son for hOnOriug the twenty-Sccond of
February. For over half u century.
with ever increasing popularity and
public recognition. you have observed the
occasion. either as q holiday. or with patriotic
exercises, participated in by faculty and stu
dents. No other American institution of learn
ing has q prUuder title to the veneratiOn of
WaShington's memory than this, whose fOun-
dation was laid in colonial days. nearly fifty
years before Pennsylvania became q state;
whose progress was largely due to the activity
of Franklin and other Jealous and far-Seeing
patriots, and whose trustees were on terms OF
sufficient intimacy with Washington to con
graduate him upon his election to the preSi-
dpncy. and to receive from him q notable reply,
which has passed into the history OF the times.
Washington, too. belonged to the brotherhood
OF the alumni of this institution, having &C
cepted the degree of doctor of laws, conferred
upon him in I5S3-an honor. doubtless. the more
appreciated when he recalled the events which
gave him closer peculiar attachment to the
city of Philadelphia.
No wonder that your great university has made
the twenty-Second of February its most impress
Siye ceremonial. and devoted its annual exercise
70 special tributes to the memory OF the first
president OF the United States. and the patriotic
themes which cluster thickly about his life and
work. Irejoice with you in the day. l rejoice,
also, that throughout this broad land the
BIRTHDAY Of the patriotic leader is faithfully
observed and celebrated with an enthusiasm
and earneStneSS VIII ch testify to the virtue and
gratitude Of the American people.
1t would not be possible. in the comparative
" short time to which these exercises must to-
day be limited. to follow Washington in his
long and distinguished ServiceSat the head of
the army. and as chief executive Of the govern
ment. MY purpose is simply to call to your at
Sention a few points in Washing 0nS career
which have Singularly impressed me-. and refer
20 some passages in his writings that seem pc
Culiarly appropriate for the guidance OF the
people VINO, un Ter oUr form of government.
have in their keeping the well being OF the
country.
In ITS entirety, WaShington'S public life is as
familiar to the American student a. the history
of the United States. They are associated in
holy and indiSSOlublc bonds. III one Is in
complete without the other. Wa>hinGtOn'S
character and achievements have been 4 part OF
the school books of the nation for more than 4
and nave moved American youth and
American manhood to aspire to the highest
ideals OF responsible citizenship. With endur-
ing fame Us u great soldier. the world has rec
ognized his equal accomplishments in the paths