Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1899-10-12
WELCOME TIE TROOPS
Arrival Of the Thirteeth Minnesota
Occasion Of a Big Time at
Minneapolis
Reviewed by the President, Who
Makes a Great Speech at
the Banquet.
Points to Century's Progress and
the Blessings and DutiesIt
Has Brought.

Minnesota, after an absence of seven
teen months in the Philippines, arrived
at this morning. They were greeted
by salute of thirteen guns, general
screeching Of whistles, ringing of bells,
wild cheers and thousands of friends
awaiting their arrival. They marched
to the auditorium, where breakfast was
served. They then returned to the train
and were taken to Minneapolis, where
they will be reviewed by the president
this afternoon and then disbanded.
Minneapolis, Oct. 12.--The president
and party arrived at ii. AS they
emerged from the train tremendous
cheering began, which was taken up by
the waiting crowds ana carried down
the line for blocks. After a light lunch
con the president reviewed the returned
Thirteenth Minnesota and later joined
them in the exposition building, where
banquet was rendered them by the
citizens. At it's conclusion the president
was introduced by President Northup
of the University of Minnesota. The
president was greeted with prolonged
applause. He spoke at some length.
The president began by saying:
The century now drawing to close
has been the most memorable in the
worlds progress and history. The
march of mankind in moral and intel
lectual advancement has been onward
and upward. The growth of the worlds 5
material interests are so vast that the
figures seem almost drawn from the
realm of Imagination. rather than the
field Of fact. All people have felt the
elevating influence of the century. HUI
manity and home have been lifted up
nations drawn closer together in feel
ing, interest and sentiment, contact
having removed old prejudices at home
and abroad. brought about better un-
derstanding. destroyed enmity and pro-
moted amity. Civilization has achieved
great victories: to the gospel of good
will there are now few dissenters The
great powers, under the inspiration of
Russia. have been sitting together in a
parliament OF peace. seeking a common
basis for the adjustment of controver-
sizes without war and waste. While they
have not made war impossible, they
have made peace more probable. They
emphasized the universal love of peace.
They made gain for the worlds re-
pose. Americans, while rejoicing in
what was accomplished, rejoice also for
their participation in the great cause
yet to be advanced, we trust, to more
perfect fulfillment.
THE century has blessed us as a ma
ton. While it has not given us perfect
peace. it brought us constant and ever
increasing blessings and imposed upon
us no humiliation or dishonor We have
had wars with foreign powers, and an
unhappy one at home; but all have ter
minated in no loss of prestige, honor or
territory, but a gain in all.
Increase in our territory has added
vastly to our strength and prosperity
without changing our republican char
acter. 1t has given a wider scope to
democratic principles and enlarged the
area Of republican institutions.
Il sometimes think we do not realize
what we have and the mighty trust
committed to our keeping. The study of
geography and history have now more
than passing interest to the American
people. 1t is worth reading that when
the federal union was formed we held
909.765 square miles of territory. and In
than 100 years we have grown to 1885,
515 square miles
The president then rapidly sketched
the circumstances of our various acqui-
sitions of territory during the past CEN
tury. showing that, especially in the
cases of the Louisiana purchase and
Alaska, these acquisitions met the most
determined resistance in congress and
elsewhere. quoting from speeches and
reports In congress to the effect that
they were of no value and would weak
en- instead of strengthen the nation. He
pointed out that the argument of i'm
perialism" was used in debates over the
Louisiana purchase and that the state
ment was then made that the proposed
territory could not be annexed without
q constitutional amendment.
Continuing the president said:
"In the last year we have added to
the territory of the United States the
territory of the Hawaiian islands, gems
of the Pacific, containing 6,724 square
miles; Porto Rico. containing 5000
square miles; Guam, containing fifty
square miles. and the Philippine archi-
pelago, embracing approximately 143,-
900 square miles. This latest acquisi-
tion is about one-sixth OF the original
thirteen states. 1t is larger than the
combined area of New Jersey, Della
ware. Maryland. Virginia, North Carol
ina, South Carolina and the District of
Columbia 1t exceeds in area all the
New England states. 1t is almost as
large as Washington and Oregon COM
bined, greater than Ohio, Indiana and
Illinois united. Three times larger than
New York: three and half times larg-
er than Ohio.
'The treaty Of peace with Spain.
which gives up the Philippines, Porto
Rico and Guam. met some opposition In
the senate, but was ratified by that
body by more than 9 two-thirds vote,
whils n the house the appropriation Of