The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-02-23
MKINLEY ON WASHINGTON.
TIVE PRESTDEYT SPEAKS TO THE
OF OLD PENN.

putt Inrtru1A, Feb. 22.-President Mckinley
,,r Philadelphia this afternoon on q special
,-ot, uf two cars which pulled out OF Broad
,,rcci station at 3:ls o'clock. His departure.
Ike his arrival. did not attract unusual alton.
zion. still there was n largo crowd to SEQ him
m. The crowd was kept apart by q Gordon OF
rol,c,men. through which the President made
his way to his train.
Thu celebration at tho Academy Of Music by
the students OF tho University OF Pennsylvania
commemorative OF Wnshington's birth, at which
tho President spoke, began at IL o'clock. Pre-
urinary TO the exercises the students OF tho
university formed in procession Mt the uni.
1crsity buildings in West Philadelphia and
marched TO Provost IIarrison's residence, at
Seventeenth and Locust streets, headed by
tho veteran corps OF the First Regiment, Ma
tional Guard OF Pennsylvania They saluted
cha outer walls and chcered Justify for
thc President, and then went In n body
10 the Academy of Music. Tho President ar
rived at the Academy at IL o'clock, and his en-
trance on the stage was the signal for a bolster
Qua demonstration. The auditorium was Law
ishly adorned with tho national colors. The
boxes and tho parquet were filled with fashion
able people. The stage was occupied by men In
publio life, resident officers OF the army and
navy, and prominent collegians from other
cities. Provost Charles G. Harrison Of the uni
verslty presided at the ceremonies. In intro
ducine President Mckinley he said:
"Never since the day when tho President Of
the United States. Gen. Washington, opened
the law school Of tho university, have we been
honorcd by the presence and voice of q Prcsi-
dent TO speak. in the name of the university, Of
the first OF that illustrious line. The President
will address to-day those who gratefully feel his
gracious act in that, amid the cares and duties
- oxaIt,d pplra bo Inns Fcuntad a. vvorfhv ~
his time and effort to be our orator upon this
occasion. Ispcnk for the trustees. for the facul-
ties, for the university students, for the city.
and for the entire State. when l thank him for
his acceptance Of our invitation. and welcome
him to the university. SO closely connected in
Its earlier days with the Father OF His Coun-
M'K1NLEY's SPEECH.
The President was greeted with great up
mir. Provost, officers and students OF the Uni.
versity of Pennsylvania ladies and gentlemen:
We celebrate hero. as in every part OF our coun-
slnred the beginning Of a great nation. This
day belongs TO patriotism and the people. But
in a certain sense the University OF PENNEY;
of February. For over half n century, with
eyer.increasins popularity, and public recogni.
a holiday or with y lotto exercises. %partici-
pated in BY faculty and students. No other
American institution Of learning has a propder
DRY than this. whose foundation was laid in CO.
lonial days nearly, fifty years before Pennsyl.
largely due to tho activity OF Franklin and
other Jealous and far-seeing patriots and whose
trustees were on terms Of sufficient intimacy
with Washington to congratulate him upon his
election to the Presidency and to receive from
him a notable reply which has passed into the
Washington. too. belonged to the brother
hood of the alumni OF this institution, having
accepted tho degree Of doctor OF laws conferred
upon him in 17s3-an honor doubtless the more
appreciated, when he recalled the events which
save him close and peculiar attachment to the
mo wonder that your great university has
ceremonial! and devoted its annual exercises to
.peciai tributes. TO the memory of the first Pres.
iSent Of fvt the United states and the ]latriotis
tCioe, also, that throughout this broad land the
birthday Of the patriot leader is faithfully oh
served and celpbrated with an enthusiasm and
earnestness. which testify to the virtue and
SFSSiIi n It's %e sh tree 4W WasSinePFs eapls Bubble life +. ss
Iannlllar to the American student as the history
OF the United states. They are associated in
plete without the other. Washington's charac-
ter and a~chievementS hive been a part of the
fury. and have moved American youth and
American manhood to aspire 10 the highest
Ideals y Of responsible ciiizenship. With endur-
niZed his equal accomplishment in tho paths OF
.tstesn,anshipi A. a soldier he was peerless in
N'," - iiS 10 "a Gu, anu Is IL sldItSlllWn
his rank Is fixed with the most ilIustrious in
any country or in any age.
A CONSTRUCTIVE STATESMAN.
But with all our pride in Washington, VIC
marvellous genius as a constructive statesman.
We are constantly in danger Of losing sight of
which accurately graspcd the problems Of the
best means for their solution.
From tho hour when Washington declared
IN his Virginia homo that he would raise u
,nousand men and equip. them at his own ex-
p"nsc, to march to the defence OF Boston, he be-
came the nlastorful spirit OF the Continental
Army and the mighticst single factor in the con.
t.inent's struggle for liberty and independence.
apparently without personal ambition. spurn-
Ing royal honors when they were suggested 10
Nh, Inn, sI ne fHahi@d a stiii more glorious destiny as
Ie cunning force OF a civilization frcer and
SniSh,lcr than tho history Of man had ever
Though Washington's exalted character and
,nc most striking acts of his brilliant record are
=" Lat''liihr 10 be recountcd hero, where 80
u eAfaSc' our love and admiration and interest.
Eve !pyc to recall his noble unselfshncss, his
frrIoNaIity, his glorious achievements for man.
tINm INA MS tlalwart AID unfiinching devotion
no! hr too often told or be too familiarly known.
,,A slhyrh9Ider himself, he yet hated slavery
Of hiSs Save yts' < So t's a w SoIIe iSs e sRe dHmsne bs Msn
eI ENTHUSIASTICALLY tho friend OF liberal
s|HrhtI"n. ne used every, suitable occasion to
.i.lIr'- uiol Congress and the country the Inn
p"ttnhcc OF n high standard Of general educa-
aHn ana characterized the diffusion OF knowl.
.n9G a thc most essential element of strength
a. me 'y3i,eln OF free government. That learn.
ing ,h1nId 20 with liberty and that liberty Ia
n ~ ENDANGERED 30 long as 1t Is IN the keeping
W me lliEcnt citizens was tho ideal civic code
enforce. '' i" :"
md how %rcvcrcnt always was this great
nai, now prompt and generous his recognition
,,,.unnrr Hu!iih; hand Of divine Providence In es-
o1ni'hlnE and controlling the destinies of the
I; t"Iohl'a and the republic. Again and again
az w ,hlkH, IN his letters, IN his state pa pcrs,
hhn' iorila! addresses he reveals this side Of
aara tH,fh'tcr, the fntce OF which we still feel.
"'.. uHa" we always Will.
worf vac very height Of his success and re.
"JiI, rs no emerged from the Revolution, re.
,,rN,hE ~ unanimous acclaim the plaudits OF
nj, Er.lle, ana commanding the respect and
na"'ratl9n Of the civilized world. he did not for.
f. inlt NJ ir.t official act as President should
nv 'rTN'it supplicatiOn TO the Almighty Being
M," rHlrs ~" universe. 1t IL lie who prosides
ia ".nrlls o. nation and whose provIdcntial
hhi IN supply every human defect. II IS His
ooi' ", inii which we most want. and which
~. "I" WI r0nsCurGtc the liberties and happi.
iInSs OF tho loop'o ~ 'hc tnitCi states. With
~ h'p ihr u.sIum at- " the citizens en-
llNa co 10 tNH1f" ftt tIAt, ,,n... Iii ......t