Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-02-17

Boston, February 16.-The browning
event of the day and the principal fea-
ture of the Presidents visit to Boston
was the banquet rendered to him by
the Home Market Club, at Mechanics
Hall, tonight. Ii was the largest
banquet ever arranged in this country,
the exact number of persons who were
served being 1914. Besides these.
there were fully $500 spectators in the
balconies. The presidential party left
the Hotel Touraine under cavalry es-
cort at ago and proceeded through an
immense cheering crowd direct to Me-
chanics Hall. The reception was held
in Paul Revere hall and for over three
quarters of an hour President McKin-
ley and the other distinguished guests
stood in line and were introduced to
and shook hands with fully $500 per.
sons
At 6 o'clock after the President had
rested for a few minutes, the bugle
sounded. announcing that the banquet
was ready to be served, and the i'm
mense company marched into the hall
while the band played.
Upon the balcony was a picture Of
Admiral Dewey, with the motto: ITO
the captain of a German ship: You
must not sail by the United States flag
without seeing it," and his famous COM
mand at Manila: you may fire, Grid
ley, when ready"
On either side Of this portrait were
those Of Grant and Mckinley. The
menus were handsome.
President Mckinley spoke as fol-
lows:
Mr.. Toastmaster and gentlemen:
The years go quickly. 1t seems not
so long, but it IS IN fact six years since
it was my honor to be a guest of the
Home Market Club. Much has happen
ed in the intervening time. Issues
which were then engaging US have been
settled or put aside for larger and
more absorbing ones. Domestic condi-
tons have improved and are generally
satisfactory. We have made progress
in industry and have realized the pros
perity for which we have been striving.
We had four long years OF adversely
which taught us some lessons
which will never be unlearned and
which will be valuable in guiding our
future action.
We have not only been successful In
our financial and business affairs, but
have been successful in a war with a
foreign power which added great glory
to American arms and a new chapter
to American history.
do not know why, in the year 1899,
this republic has Unexpectedly had
placed before it problems which it must
face and meet. They have come and
are here and they could not be kept
away. Many who were impatient for
the conflict a year ago, apparently
needless Of its larger results. were the
first to cry out against the far-reach-
ing consequences OF their own act.
Those Of us who dreaded wal most and
whose every effort was directed t pre-
vent it. had fears of new and grave
problems which might follow its inaug-
uration. The evolution OF events
which no man could control has
brought these problems upon Us. Ger
tain it is that they have not come
through any fault on our own part, but
as a high obligation and we meet them
with clear conscience and unselhsh
purpose, and with good heart resolve to
undertake their solution.
War was declared in April, 1898. with
practically unanimity by the Congress,
and once upon us, was sustained by like
unanimity among the people. There
had been many who had tried to avert
it. an on the other hand. there were
many who would have precipitated 1t at
an earlier date. In its prosecution and
conclusion, the great majority Of our
countryTnen Of every section believed
they were fighting in a Just cause, and
at home or on sea or IN the field they
had part in its glorious triumps. II
was the war Of an undivided nation.
Every great act in its progress from
Manila to Santiago. from Guam TO
Porto Rico. met universal and hearty
communication. The protocol COM
manded the practically unanimous APP
prevail Of the American people, 1t was
welcomed by every lover Of peace be-
meath the flag. =
The Philippines, like Cuba and Porto
Rico, were intrusted to u hands by
the war and to that great trust, under
the providence OF God, and in the name
Of human progress and civilization,
We are committed. It Is a trust we
have not sought: It is a trust from
which we will not finch Tine AmerI-
al people will hold up the hands of
their servants at home to whom they