The Afro-American advance., 1899-10-14


MeKtnley's speech al the Exposition Oct
Il, 1882
Ny Fellow Citizens, Governor Lind, May
or GRAY and Members of the Thirteenth
Volunteer Regiment
I have come from the capital of the na-
tion that might give the nations $ well
come to regiment of the nations do
fender. (Applause1 have come 10
speak the voice of love and gratitude
which comes from every American heart
today who loves the nag. voice from
the crowd 1T does. II have To bid You
welcome because YOU did your duty and
that is the highest tribute that can be
paid to any soldier In the world. TAP
plause.)
do not think the members of this reg
fment themselves, or the regiments con-
stituting the Eighth army corps In the
Philippines realize the importance and
heroism Of their action after the treaty
OF peace was signed and ratified.
And | want TO say 10 YOU men, and to
Colonel Summers-General Summers now,
because of his gallantry (applausel-that
the officers and men of the Eighth army
corps sent to Washington telling me they
would stay in the Philippines TIL could
create new army and send 1t there TO
bid you welcome and to give you the
thanks of the nation because you have
sustained the honor of the nation. Gap
plause) Because You have refused to
stack arms and refused To sound re-
treat tApplause) And YOU have come
back, having the highest place In the
hearts and affections Of the American
people, and gratitude that viii continue
for all time.
You have also by your services added
much to the cause of humanity added
much 10 the advancement of civilization.
which has 80 characterized the century
just now fading away
The century now drawing TO n close
has been most memorable in the world =
progress and history. The march of
mankind in moral and intellectual ad-
gancement has been onward and upward.
The growth of the worlds material In
terests Is so vast that the figures would
almost seem 60 be drawn from the realm
OF Imagination rather than from the field
of fact All peoples have felt the ele-
waiting Influences OF the century. HUI
manity and home have been lifted up
Nations have been drawn closer together
in feeling and interest and sentiment
Contact has removed old preiudices at
home and abroad and brought about "A
better understanding. which has de-
stroyed enmlty and promoted amity CIV
ilization has achieved great victories and
to the gospel of good will there are now
few dlssenters The great powers. under
/ the inspiration of the czar of Russia
have been sitting together I'm n parlia-
mcnt of peace. seeking TO find "A common
basis for the adjustment Of controversies
without war and waste. While they have
not made war impossible they have made
peace more probable. and have empha-
sized the universal love OF peace They
have made a gain for the worlds re-
pose; and Americans. while rejoicing in
what was accomplished. rejoice also for
their participation In the great cause yet
to be advanced, we trust. to more per-
feet fulhllment.
| The century has blessed ms ns n nation.
| While IL has not given US perfect peace.
| IL has brought us constant and ever-in-
crensing blessings and imposed upon us
no humiliation or dishonor.
We have had wars with foreign powers
and the unhappy one at home-but all
terminated in no loss of prestige or honor
or territory, but a gain I'm all
The increase OF our territory has added
vastly to our strength and prosperity
without changing our republican charac-
ter. II has given wider scope to demo-
cratic principles and enlarged the area
for republican institutions.
/ sometimes think we do not realize
what we have and the mighty trust we
have committed to our keeping The
study OF geography and history have now
more than a passing interest to the
American people. IL Is worth recalling
that when the federal union was formed
we held 800. .1G5 square miles of territory.
and In less than one hundred years we
have grown To 3.st5.5l5 square miles
The first acquisition. In 1893 known as
the Louisiana purchase" embraced sss
072 square miles. exclusive OF the area
west OF the Rocky mountains It's vast
ness and value Will be best understood
when / say that IL comprises the entire
states of Arkansas. Missouri. Iowa. Ne
braska. North and South Dakota ana
parts Of the state Of Minnesota. Kansas.
Colorado, Montana, Wyoming. Louisiana
all of the Indian Territory and part of
Oklahoma Territory. II would seem al
most incredible to the present generation
that this rich heritage TO the federal de-
main should have been opposed; and yet
II was resisted in every form and b.
every E1nd OF assault. 1He GfdFH ter
ritory was characterized as a "malarial
swamp" its prairies destitute Of trees or
vegetation. IL was commonly charged
that we had been cheated by giving fla.-
O10, 900 for a territory so worthless and
pestilential that II could never be in
habited or put to use; and II was also
Rravely asserted that the purchase would
lead to complications and wars with Eu-
ropean power. In the debate In the SON
ate over the treaty. distinguished sen
ator from Connecticut said.
'trhe vast and uBmanageabie extent
which the accession OF Louisiana will
give the United States: the consequent
dispersion Of our population. and the de-
struction Of that balance which Il II
so important to maintain between the
eastern and western states. threatens, at
no very distant day. the subyersion Of
our union,
A distinguished senator from Delaware
said
But as to LouIslana--this new. immense
unbounded world-if 1t should ever be
have no idea. and which can only be
done b. amending the constitution. I be-
Hsve Il viii be the greatest curse that
could befa1 rs IL may be productive Of
fnnumerable evils. ana especially Of one
that fear 10 ever look upon. Thus
our citizens viii be removed 70 the inn
rnenpe distance of two or three thousand
miles from the capital Of the union. where
they Will scarcely ever feel the rays ~
ft4. z.r.araI government mfhefr affHffiana