The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-02-17

and tender Lincoln, that burden has not
been greater than at The present time.
You have borne IL, MIR. President In such
manner rs to add a strong feeling OF per
sonal confidence and affection TO the re-
speot felt by all loyal Americans fer the
occupant of the high Office which you
bold. You have had the happiness to
witness, as l trust, the final extinction OF
the dying embers of sec tionalism, and to
behold all parts of our common country
vieing with one another In patriotic
loyalty TO the nations flag. 1t Is because
We ser in you. sir, man OF high personal
character, of generous and humane Inn.
pulse Of conscientious desire TO perform
wisely and well the great duty intrusted
to you. and of devoted loyalty to the
country you serve, that we pay TO you
tonight the tribute of respect and honor
and accord you the welcome OF heart and
hand and voice"
The Governor was followed by Mayor
Quincy, who extended welcome to the
distinguished guests on behalf of the
city. When the Mayor had concluded
President Plunkett In u few graceful and
fattering words, introduced President
Mckinley, VINO received tremendous
ovation. The President spoke as follows:
MT. POSTMASTER and Gentlemen:
have heen deeply and profoundly
moved by this manifestation of your good
will and confidence and impressed by
the expressions of good will from the
governor of your great commonwealth as
we'll as from the chief executive of the
capital city of your STATE. No
one stands In this magnificent
presence, listening to the patriotic strains
from choir and band without knowing
what this great audience was thinking
about. 1t was thinking, 1t Is thinking
this moment of the country. tAppiause.
Because they love 1t and have faith in
them selves and in its future. Applause. )sl
thank the governor of the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts,, l thank the Mayor of
the City OF Boston for their warm and
generous words of welcome of ed In be-
half of this people to me, Ia your pres.
ence tonight
The years go quickly. 1t seems not so
long, but is in fact six years since It was
my honor 20 be n guest OF the Home
Market club. Much has happe ned in the
Intervening time, Issues which were
then engaging us have been settled or
put aside for larger and more absorbing
one. Domestic conditions have improved
and are generally satisfactory. We have
made progress in industrial affairs and
have realized the prosperity 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 he valuable in guiding
cur future action. We have not only been
successful In our financial and business
affairs, but have been successful In u
war with a foreign power which has
added great glory to American arms and
u new chapter TO American history.
/ do not know why In the year 1899
this republic has Unexpectedly placed
before 1t mighty 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 CON
dict year ago apparently needless of its
larger results, are the inst to cry out
against the far reaching consequences OF
their own act Those of US who dreaded
war most and whose every effort was
directed to prevent 1t, had fears OF new
and grave problems which might follow
Its Inauguration.
TIE evolution OF events which no mon
could control has brought these problems
upon us. Certain it is that they have net
come through any fault on our part,
but as a high obligation and we must meet
them with clear conscience and unseltsh
purpose, and with good heart resolve
TO undertake their solution.
War was declared in April. 1858. with
practical 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
as, on the other hand. there were many
who would have precipitated 1t at an
early date. In its prosecution and con
SluhiOHt lue = eau iudyoiity va odi Souh-
trymen OF every section believed they
were lighting in u just cause and az home
or at sea or Ia the field they had part In
its glorious triumpbs. II was the war OF
al undivided nation. Every great act
10 its progress from Manila to Santiago.
from Guam to Porto kioo, met universal
and hearty commentator. The protocol
commanded the practically unanimous
approval of the American people. 1t Was
welcomed by every lover of peace beneath
the flag.
This Philippines. liks Cuba and Porto
Rico, were Entrusted to our 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. 1t is trust we have no {
sought; 1t is a trust from which We will
not finoh. Tbs American people will
hold mp the bands OF their servants at
home to whom they commit its execu-
ton, while Dewey and Otis and the brave
whom they command will have the sup
port of the country In UNFOLDING our flag