The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-11-01
REMINISCENT.
Standing in the Old Capital of
the COnfederRcy
President M'Kinley Reviews
Historic Events.
TRIBUTE TO VIRGINIA.
The Mother of Statesmen and
Patriots.
Urges That Every thing Should
Remain as It Is.
TRIBUTE TO VIRGINIA.

Richmond, Va, Nov. Following is
the speech of President Mckinley on
the occasion of the launching OF the
Shubrick:
Mr.. Mayor Ladies and Gentlemen:
I am glad to meet my fellow citizens of
Richmond and join with them in this
interesting celebration in honor of the
launching of the torepdo boat Shu-
brick, built in this city, OF American
material, by the labor of American
workingmen, for the use of the American
navy. I congratulate builders and
workmen upon this evidence of their
skill and industry, so creditable to the
manufacturing company and so high
ly commended by the officers OF the
government.
This is not the first contribution
splendid navy. She equipped the war
ship Texas with all her machinery,
boilers and engines, which were tried
and tested with entire satisfaction IN
the brilliant naval engagement in the
harbOr of Santiago, when that gallant
vessel so glOriously assisted in the deS-
truction of Cervera's fleet. winning
memorable victory and Fastening an
honorable and enduring peace. heart
lily rejoice with the people of this great
city upon its industrial revival and
upon the notable prosperity it is feel
ing in all of its business enterprises.
You are taking advantage of the COM
mercial opportunities of the hour. You
are advancing in manufactures, ex-
share of the worlds trade.
What can be more gratifying to us
than the present conditions of the
country. A universal love of country
and a noble national spirit animate all
the people. We are on the best of terms
with each other, and on most cordial
relations with every power Of earth
We have ample revenues with which to
conduct the government. No deficit
menace5 our credit Money is album
dant in volume and unquestioned il
value. Confidence in the present and
faith in the future are firm and strong
and should not be shaken or unsettled.
The people are doing business on bust
ness principles and should be let alone
encouraged rather than hindered in
their efforts to increase the trade of the
country and find new and profitable
markets for their products. Manufac-
turing was never so active and so uni
VersalIy enjoyed throughout all the
states. Work was never so abundant.
The transportation companies were
never so taxed to handle the freight
offered by the people for distribution.
The home and foreign markets con-
tribute to our prosperity. Happily the
latter has increased without any
diminutiOn of the former. Your loco
motives go to Russia, the watch cases
from my little city of Canton to Ge-
neva; the bridges of Philadelphia span
the Nile, and the products Of the Amer
4CeAn 4dIIu anu IdCLOEJ are carried upon
every sea and find welcome in most of
the ports of the world
In what respect would we change these
happy conditions, with the promise they
give of the future? The business activity
in every part of the country, the better
rewards to labor, the wider markets for
the yield of the soil and the shop. the
increase of our ship building not only for
government, but Tor purposes of COM
merce: the enormous increase of our ex-
port trade in manufactures and agricul-
ture the great comforts of the home and
the happiness of the people, the wonder
full uplifting of the business conditions of
Virginia and the south and of the whole
country, makes this not only an era of
good will, but an era of good times. It
is a great pleasure to me to stand in this
historic capital and to look into the faces
or my countrymen here assem- bled and to
feel and know that we are all Americans
love and mean to uphold united for the
honor Of the American nation and for the
faithful fullhIlment of every obligation
Wn1ch naJonaI duty requires.
4 can not forget could not forget in
this presence to make my acknowledge
ment to the men of Virginia for their
in the war with Spain and for their con-
tinued and unfiinching loyalty in the sup
preston of the instruction in LuzOn
against the authority of the United States
They came in swift response to the call
of the Countrywide best blood of the state
the sons of noble sires, asking for ser
ing was the hardest and the danger the
greatest. The rolls of the Virginia vOltln-
teerS contain the names of the braVest
and best, some of them the descendants
earliest and latest times. They have shed
their blood for the flag of their faith. and
are now defending it with their lives in
the distant Islands OF the sea All honor
to the American army and navy. All
honor has been shown the peen returning