Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-10-10
ing the governor of the commonwealth of

Illinois =
Governor Tanner. then in a short address.
velcoIned the visitors-on behalf Of the state
Of Illinois.
After he had, cencluded. Mayor Carter
H Harrison. OF Chicago. and Senator
Shelby NJ. Cullom, of Illinois. were intro
duced in succession by Mr.. Stone. the
former extending to the visitors the wei
come Of the people of the, city Of Chi
caso and the latter greeting on oehat
of the federal officials OF Illinois
The banquet guests knew by their pro-
SrammeS who came next on the llSt oI
speakers. and when the toastmaster arose
TO introduce the president, who responded
10 the sentiment of The Nation, he was
greeted with cheers that for time pre-
vented his voice from being heard. When
quiet had been restored, Mr.. stone intro
duced President Mckinley, as follows:
And now l offer you that toast Tor the
drinking of which we have all come htther'
The Nation, a word of overwhelming SIG
nificance. With each succeeding year IL
means more alike to the citizen OF the
republic and to the world AZ large. Each
year the roots of the mighty oak 20
deeper into the fertile soil ana draw great
er measure of vigor from the boundicss
resources of nature. Each year TINS great
trunk takes on increased stature TO detF
the fury Of the gale. Each year the
spreading branches stretch ont and farther
out to shelter the swelling muiutGaS OF
mankind. Mark the evolution; hcee
United States: this nation. have the
pleasure. and / am conscious Of the honor,
OF presenting the president
"Mr. TOastmasteT and Gentlemcn:-l am
glad TO join you in extending sincere wei
come TO the distinguished statesmen and
diplomatists who represent the great coun-
tries adjoining US on the soulh ana tAe
north. We are bound (" them both py tieS
OF mutual good neighborhood. We reJolce
in their prosperity and we wish them Goa
speed in the pathway Of progress theE are
so energetically and successful pursuing.
ION the reverse side Of the great seal of
the United States. authorized by congress
June %, l7s2. and adopted rs the seal OF
the United States Of America after its for
nation under the federal constitution IL
the pyramid, signifyinG strength ana dura-
tion. The eye over ii and the motto allude
10 the many signal interpretations of PROV
idence in favor of the American cause.
The date underneath, l1l6 Is that OF Inc
Declaration of Independence. and tho words
under II signify the beginning OF II new
American era which commences from that
date.
1T is impossible TO trace our history
since without feeling that the Providence
which was with us in the beginning las
continued to the nation His gracious inter
position When, unhappily. we have Dc"ti
engaged in var, He has GiyeI! Us the Ni'-
tory Fortunate. indeed, that it can bc
said We have had no clash Of arms which
has ended in defeat, and no responsibility
resulting from war ]. tainted with as
honor. In peace, we lave been SlSidIig
blessed and our progress has gone on ul-
checked and ever-incrcsIsinS in the inter
vening years. In boundicSs wealth of soil
and mine and forest. nature has favored
MS while all races Of men. Of every ma
tionality and climate, have contributed
their good blood 10 make the nation what
II is. -
grown 10 upward Of G2Gg.0D in 1870. and
our estimated population to-day, made by
the governors of the states, IS n.se'-ai
We have gone from thirteen states te
forty-five. We have annexed every variety
OF territory, from the coral reefs and g"
coanut groves OF Key West 10 the icy
regions of Northern AlaSka-terr!tor!
sIcirting the Atlantic the Gulf of Mexico
the Pacific and the Arctic, and the isl
ands Of the Pacific and Caribbean sea: anc
we have extended stiil further our juris
diction to the far away islands in the Pa
ciiic. our territory is more than four time:
larger than ii was when the treaty oi
peace was signed i'll 1IS3.
our industrial growth has been ever
more phenomenal than that of population
or territory. Our wealth. estimated in l.!'
at si52.c00.tS0. has advanced TO go
Education has not been overlooked. Tht
mental and moral equipment of the youtf
on whom will, in the future. rest the re
spOnsibiiities of government, have had th'
unceasing and generous care of the stat'
and the nation, We expended in lSl-ss
for secondary education. $23.f14.6S3, and fo
higher education for the same period. so,
1882. The number of pupils enrolled II
public schools in 1861 was il. So. 1872. o
more than - per cent of our population
Is not this pillar of strength to the re
public?
II.
been ever upheld. II has no superior ant
no stain. The United States has never re
pudiated a national obligation, either to it
creditors or to humanity. IL will not nov
begin to do either. II never struck a blow
except for civilization. and never strucl
its colOrs.
Has the pyramid lost any of it
strength? Has the republic lost any of It
virility? Has the self-governing priucipl
been weakened? Is there any preser
menace to our stability and duration
These questions bring but one answer
The republic is sturdier and stronger tina
ever before; Government by the peopl
has been advanced. Freedom under III
nag Is more universal than when tn
Union was formed. Our steps have bee
forward, not backward. From PIymout
Rock to the Philippines. the grand tr
ufnphant march of human liberty la
never paused
'Fraternity and union are deeply In
bedded In the hearts of the American pee
pie. For half a century before the civ
war disunion was the fear of men of a
sections. That word has gone out OF tll
American vocabulary; 1t is spoken no
South. East and West were never 5
welded together and while they NAV d!t
fer about internal policies. they are a
for the Union and the maintenance of tn
integrity of the flag.
Has patriotism died out in the heart
of the people? Witness the 10000 me
springtng to arms and In thirty DAYS OF
ganiZed into regiments for the Spanis
war. and million more ready to r.
sponu' ana the more recent enlistment {
10.Oc9 men. with many other thouansd
anxious to enlist. but whose services wer
not needed.
Has American heroism declined? TT
shattered and sinking fleets OF the Spar
ish navy at Manila and Santiago, III
charge of San Juan and FL Caney an
the Intrepid valor and determination OF OF
gallant troops in more than forty engage
ments In Luzon, attest the fact that III
American soldier and sailor have lost nor
Of thee qualities which made our EARL,
army and navy illustrious and invincibl
AFTER l23 years. the pyramid stands III
but 1t remains immovable. 1t has endure
the storms of war. only to be stronge
IT STANDS nrner and gives greater prom
ise Of duration than when the father
made IL the symbol of their faith.
May We not feel assured that, If we d
our duty Providence. which favored II
undertakings Of the fathers and every ste
OF our progress since, will continue II
watchfui care and guidance over MS. ar
that hand that led us to our presel
plane Will not relax HIS grasp till v
have reached the gloriOus goal He h
fixed for US in the achievement OF II
end
Following the address Of the presiden
which was received with every mantle
tation OF enthusiastic approval, Mr.. StoI
introduced Sir Wilfrid Laurier, of Canad
who. he announced. was 10 speak on III
Dominion" The greeting which was q
corded the premier of Canada as he aro
10 his feet was hearty in the sxtFem
Cheer after cheer rang through the ha
and men rose 10 their feet and wav,
their napkins franticaly. The warmth
his welcome for an instant embarrass,
Sir Wilfrid. but he quickly recovered h
self-pussession.
Sir Wilfrid said:
Mr.. Toastmaster. Mr President. ar
Gentlemen:-I very cordially appreciate Il
very kind feelings which have lust no
been uttered by the toastmaster in tern