Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-10-12

great or as distinguished an audience
as at the magnificent Chicago day
banquet Of Monday night, when the
official representation of the govern
ment of North America-the United
States, Mexico and Canada-surround-
ed by distinguished Americans, sold
iers, statesmen and men great N the
commercial and professional world,
sat under the brilliant glare OF myriad
lights amid great banks of splendid
floral blooms. The hour of the ban
Duet was set for o'clock, but so dense
was the great throng upon the streets
and so difficult was progress through
out that it was nearly 9 o'clock before
the guests were seated and nearly IL
when Toastmaster Melville E. Stone
arose and delivered the opening ad-
dress, in which he glorifed Chicago
and the gathering of the evening as
meeting of three peoples with single
arm, with a single purpose, working
out, under different conditions,
the problems of self govern
ment "You are met, gentlemen"
he said in closing, to
cement closer the bond of amity, to
ordain new citizenship in that higher
realm where national lines disappear,
where we shall all be loyal to Amerl-
can progress, American civilization,
American liberty, forces which make
for the betterment of the human race.
I take pleasure in introducing the
governor Of the commonwealth or I'LL
nois." Gov. Tanner, then, in short
address, welcomed the visitors on be-
half of the state of Illinois. Mayor
Harrison of Chicago, and Senator Gull
lom of Illinois were introduced in sue
cession by Mr. Stone, the former eX-
tending to the visitors the welcome OF
the people of the city of Chicago and
the latter greeting them on behalf OF
the federal officials of Illinois. The
POSTMASTER next introduced the pres
ident. who responded to the sentiment
The Nation. He was greeted with
cheers that for time prevented his
voice from being heard. When quiet
had been restored, the president
spoke as follows:
McKinley's Address.
81 am glad to join you in extending
sincere welcome to the distinguished
statesmen and diplomatists who repr'
sent the great countries adjoining us
on the south and the north. We are
bound to them both by ties of mutua
good neighborhood. We rejoice II
their prosperity and bid them god
speed in the pathway of progress the!
are so energetically and SuccessfulllJ
pursuing. It is not possible to retracC
our history since the declaration OF IN
dependence without feeling that hat
not providence been with the Un1te[
States in the beginning we had cease(
to be a nation. BY His gracious IN
terposition when, unhappily, we have
been in war He has given us victory
1t it fortunate indeed that it can be sal(
we have had no clash of arms which
has ended in defeat, and no RESPONSE
bility resulting from war is tainted
with dishonor In peace we have beer
signally blessed; our progress has gon'
on unCu6Ch6N, SNtl lllSl CttoiA1So - -
tervening years. In bOundless wealth
of soil, mine and forest, nature ha
favored us. while all races of men, o
every nationality and climate, hav
contributed their good blood to max
our nation what it is. From 3,929,21
in 1890, our population has grown up
wards of 62,000,000 in 1890; our est
mated population today, made by gov
ernOrs of states, is 1903, 231. w
have grown from 13 states to 40. w
have annexed every variety of terri
tory from the coral reefs and cocoanu
groves of Key West to the icy region
of northern Alaska, territory sklrtln
the Atlantic, the Gulf of Mexico, tn
Pacific and the Arctic. and islands o
the Pacific and Caribbean Sea
and have extended still further on
jurisdiction to far away islands in tn
Pacific Our territory is more thai
four times larger than it was when tn
treaty of peace was signed IN 1888
Our industrial growth has been ever
more phenomenal than that of on
population or territory. Our wealth
estimated in 1890 at S462, 100000, ha
advanced to SOS 900 ,000000 And edu
cation has not been overlooked. TIL
mental and moral equipment Of tn
youth on whom will in the future res
the responsibilities of government
have had the unceasing and generou
care of state and nation. We eXpend
ed in 1878 for public education
nearly 1915. 100000. The number
pupils enrolled in the public schools i
'96-'97 was 1869, 492, or more than 2
per cent. of our population. Is no
this a pillar of strength to the repuh
lie? Our national credit, OFTEN trlec
has been ever upheld. 1t has no su
perior. The United States has neve
repudiated national obligation
either to it's creditors or to humanity
1t will not now begin to either.
never struck a blow except for civiliza
ton and never struck its colors. Ha
the republic lost any of its virility
has the self governing principle bee
awakened? Is there any present men
ace to our stability and duration
These questions bring but on
answer. The republic is sturdie'
stronger than ever before. Govern
ment by the people has been advanced
Freedom under the flag is more univel
sal than when the union was formed
Our steps have been forward, not bach
ward. From Plymouth Rock to tn
Philippines the grand triumphar
march of human liberty has neve
paused. Fraternity and union al
deenlv imhedded in the hearts of th