The San Francisco call., 1899-10-13
MINNESOTA TROOPS
GIVEN A WELCOME
BY THE PRESIDENT
Mr.. Mckinley Reviews the Thir=
teenth Regiment and Warmly
Praises the Volunteers.

MINNEAPOLIS, Oct 12-From a plat
form in front of the Minneapolis Exposi-
ton building President Mckinley this aft
ernoon voiced the nations welcome to the
Thirteenth Minnesota Volunteers, Just re-
turned from the Philippines, and delivered
an address to thousands Of cheering peo-
pie.
The President and his party were driven
TO the exposition building directly after
having reviewed the long parade from the
reviewing stand on Nicollet avenue. About
the platform in front of the building
where General Harrison was nominated
for President of the United States by
convention presided over by William Nc
kinley, We're massed the returned volun-
teers. Behind them was a crowd whose
numbers could scarcely be estimated. The
cheering broke loose as soon as President
Mckinley, Governor Lind and General
Summers Of the Second Oregon Volun-
teers appeared on the platform. DR..
Cyrus Northrup, president of the Univer-
sity of Minnesota, presided over the eXer-
Cises and the invocation was pronounced
by Bishop Isaac w. Joyce of the Metho-
dist Episcopal church.
Mayor Gray spoke the words of greet
Ing TO the soldiers and distinguished
guests on behalf of the city. and Governor
Lind on behalf of the State. The Cover
nor paid a strong tribute to the returned
volunteers.
President Mckinley was greeted with
cheers that continued for several minutes,
and throughout the delivery OF the ad-
dress the applause was trequet. SAID ne;
have come from the capital OF the nation
that I might give the nations welcome TO
regiment of the nations defenders. have
which comes from every American heart to-day
that loves the flag l have come TO bid You
welcome because you did your duty, and that
is the highest tribute that can be paid TO any
soldier anywhere: and / do not think the mem
bers of this regiment. or the regiments consu-
tuting the Eighth Army Corps in the Philip
pines, realize the Importance ana herolsn ol
their action after the treaty OF peace was
signed and ratified. ! want to say to you men,
and TO Colonel Summers-C5eneral Sofaers now;
because of his gallautry-Jhat the otncerS ana
men of the Eighth Army Corps sent TO Nash-
stay in the Philippines until l could create a
new army and send it there to take their
/ come to bid you welcome and give You the
honor of the nation because you sustained the
nag Of the nation, because you refused TO stack
arms refused to sound retreat. And you have
come back. having d high place in the hearts
and affections Of the American people and graf
itude that will continue for all time. You have
also by your services added much TO the cause
of humanity added much to the advancement
Of the civilization which has so characterized
the century Just now fading away. rms cen
the world known to ali history.
The century now drawing to a close mas peen
most memorable in the world progress and
intellectual advancement has been onward ana
upward The growth Of the world 5 materlal
interests IS so vast lldl b4le 4A6uASS "oNAN O.
most seem TO be drawn from the realm OF I'M
aginatiOn rather than from the neld OF fact
All peoples have felt the eleVatng influences
of the century. Humanity and nome nave peeh
lifted up. Nations have been drawn closer TO-
gether in feeling ana lhtGreS1 i -iliioAs ana at
home and abroad. and brought about a better
understanding which has destroyed enmlty ana
prompted amity. Civilization mas acBeveG eI
great victories and to the gospel OF good Will
there are now few dissenters. The great pow
ers under the inspiration OF the Car OF Rus
sia have been sitting together in parliament
of peace seeking TO find a common basis Tor the
adjustment of controversies without war ana
waste While they have made war impos-
sihle, they have made peace more probable ana
beva' ern6basized the universal love of peace.
Tbev have made a gain for the worlds repose;
accomplished. rejoice also for their participa-
tiOn in the great cause Yet to be advanced, we
trust, TO more perfect fulfllmenL
The century has blessed US as a nation. While
Il has not given perfect peace, II has brought
Us constant and ever-increasing blessings and
imposes upon us no humiliation or dishonor;
We have had wars with foreign powers ana
the unhappy one at hume-but all terminated
in no loss Of prestige or honor or territory, but
The increase of our territory has added vastly
70 our strength and prosperity without chang
ing our Republican character. II mas gwen !
wider scope 10 democratic prlhClples anu Ell
larged the area for republican institutions.
I sometimes think We do not realize what we
have, and the mighty trust We nave committed
to our keeping. The study Of geography and /
history have now more than a passing interest !
t. the American people. 1t IS worth reailnS /
that when the Federal Union formed We
held gs 760 square miles Of territory and in less
than 100 years we have grown to 3S45,5l3 square /
miles.
The first acquisition, in 1903. known the
louisiana purchase embraced 63,Ol2 square /
miles exclusive of the west Of the Rocky |
Mountains. Its vastness and value will best be |
understood when I say that it comprises the |
entire States Df Arkansas Mississippi, Iowa, |
Nebraska. North and South Dakota and parts
of the states If Minnesota, Kansas, Colorado !
Montana, Wyoming, Louisiana, all of Indian |
Territory and part of Oklahoma. II would |
seem almost Incredible to the present genera !
t.on that this -ich addition TO the Federal do |
main should have been opposed, and yet it was |
resisted In every form and by every kind of !
assault. The celed territory was characterized |
as a malariai swamp" its prairies destitute |
Of trees or vegetation. It commonly |
charged that we had been cheated by giving |
S5-Woo00 for q territory so worthless and pesti- |
lentiai that IL could never be inhabited or put |
10 use. and it was also gravely asserted that |
the purchase would lead to complications and |
wars with European powers. IN the debate in |
the Senate over the treaty distinguished Sen |
ator from Connecticut said.
The vast and unmanaE aEeabe estate which the !
Louisiana acquisition viii give the United |
states, the consequent dispersion of our popu- |
lauon and the destruction of that balance |
which II is so important to maintain between |
the Eastern and Western States. threatens at |
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