Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1899-10-12
M'KlNLEY AT CHICAGO.
Cornerstone of the Federal Building
Laid bv the President


thousands of spectators and the diplo-
matc representatives of number OF for
eign countries, President Mckinley for
mallv laid the cornerstone of the new
Federal building at Chicago. When the
President was introduced by Secretary
Gage, and as he stepped forward to re-
ceive the trowel from the hands of the
architect, Henry Ives Cobbs, the crowd
burst forth into cheers, the applause con-
tinuipg until the President had taken a
trowel-full of mortar and had thrown
it on the base of the stone.
At the conclusion of the ceremonies the
President and party were escorted TO the
Union Club and entertained at luncheon
by the Federal Committee.
THE PRESIDENTS s SPEECH.
At the luncheon at the Union Club, the
President said:
''Mr. Toastmaster and Gentlemen:
81 am glad to join You in extending a
sincere welcome TO the distinguished
statesmen and diplomats who represent
the great countries adjoining us on the
south and north. We are bound to them
bv ties of mutual good neighborhood. We
rejoice in their prosperity and we wish
them godspeed in the pathway of progress
that they are so energotically and success
fully pursuing.
"On the reverse of the great seal of the
United States authorized by Congress, June
20, 1882, and adopted as the zeal of the
United States of America, after
its formation under the federal constitu-
ton, is the pyramid, sgnifying strength
and duration. The eye over it and the
motto allude to the many signal interpos-
itions of Providence in favor of the Amer
lean cause. The date underneath, lT6,
is that of the Declaration of Independence,
and the words under it signify the begin
ming of new American era which com
mences from that date. 1t is impossible
to trace our history since without feeling
that the Providence which was with us
in the beginning has continued to the na'
ton His gracious interposition. When un'
happily we have been engaged in war, he
has given us the victory. Fortunate is
1t, indeed, that we can say that we have
had no wars that ended in defeat, and no
responsibility resulting from war is faint
ed with dishonor. In peace we have been
singularly blessed and our progress has
CONT unchecked and ever increasing in
the intervening years. The boundless
wealth of soil and mine has favored us,
while races of men of every nationality and
climate have contributed their good blood
to make the nation what it is.
"From 1928, PA in 1890, our population
has grown to upwards of 62,0OO,OOO Ii
1890, and our estimated population today,
made by the governors of the States. is H.
500, ?3l. We have grown from thirteen
States TO forty-fye. We have annexed
every variety of territory, from the coral
reefs and c)coanut groves Of Key West to
tie icy regions of nothern Alaska-terri-
tory sk;rting the Atlantic, the Gulf OF
Mexico, the Pacific and the Arctic and tie
Islands of the Pacific and Caribbean sea,
and we have extended still further our
ir,i.dictiun TO the far away islands of the
Pacific.
'Our territory is more than five times
larger than is was when the treaty of peace
was signed in 1888. Our industrial growth
h..s been even more phenomenal than that
of population or territory. Or wealth
estimated in 1890 at S4G2, Goa, 600 has adj
vanced to sG5 900, 600, ,OCOOO. Education
has not been overlooked.
The mental and moral equipment OF
the youth upon whom in the future will
fall the responsibility of government, are
the unceasing and generous care of the
States and Nation. We expended in
1897 -'9S in public education open TO all,
S202, ll5, ,54S; for secondary education,
S23 1873 ,GS3; and for higher education for
the same period $50, 1902. The number
of pupils enrolled in public schools in
1896. '97 was 1865 1892, or more than
twenty per cent of our population. Is
this not pillar of strength to our re-
public?