Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1900-03-08
MCKINLEY DEFENDS HIS COURSE.
The Presidents Speech Bcforo tho Ohio
Society In Now York.


tonight. William Mckinley, President
of the United States, was the guest of
honor. More than 400 covers wore laid.
The toast, "Tho President" was drunk
standing. President Mckinley then arose
amid tremendous applause. IIo said:
"Mr. Toastmastcr and Gcntlcmcn:
appreciate your welcome and thank you
for this renewed expression Of good will.
ut has been some years since | was
your guest. Much has happened in tho
meantime. Wo havo had our blessings
and our burdens, and still have both.
We will soon have Legislative assurance
OF tho gold standard with which to
nioHsttro Utir exchanges, and W. ilavu the
open door in tho far East through which
to market our products. Wo arc neither
in alliance nor antagonism nor ontanglc-
mont with any foreign powor, but on
terms of amty and cordiality with all.
We buy from all of thom and sell to
all OF them, and our sales exceeded our
purchases in the last two years by. over
one billion dollars. Markets have beon
increased and mortgages have boon
reduced. Interest has fallen and wages
have advanced. Tho public dobt is
decreasing. The country is well to do.
It's people for the most part arc happy
and contcntcd. They have good times
and arc on good terms with the nations
of the world. There arc unfortunately
those among us, few in number, am
sure, who seem to thrive best undor bad
times, and who when good times over
take them in the United States feel con-
strained to put us on bad terms with the
rest of mankind. With them | can have
no sympathy. would give expression
tG what believe to be the potlcr and
almost universal sentiment of my coun-
trymcn i'll the wish not only for our peace
and prosperity, but for the peace and
prosperity of all the aations and pco-
pies OF the earth.
"Aftcr thirty years Of mbrokcn peace
came an unavoidable war. Happily the
conclusion was quickly reached. without
suspicion OF unworthy motive or prac-
ticc or purpose on our part, and with
tadclcSS honor to our arms. cannot
forget the quick response of the people
to the counlry's need and tho quarter of
million men who freely offered their
lives tn their country'S service. 1t was
an impressive spectacle Of national
strength. 1t demonstrated our mighty
rrSrrv" i:uwcr and taught us that large
standing armies arc unnecessary when
every citizen iSa minute man. ready to
join the ranks for national Defense
"out Of these recent events have come
to the United states grave trials and re-
Sp"nSibilticS. AS it was the nations S
war SO arc the results tho nations prob
lem. It's solution rests upon us. 1t is
too serious to Stinc. IT, is too earnest
for r"poSr. No phrase or catchword can
cancel the sacred obligation it involves.
y" use Of rpthc!s, no dispersion Of
motives by those who differ will contri-
hn,r to that sober Judgment so essential
T." right conclusions. No political out
cry can abroGatc our treaty Of peace
with Spain, or al,Solvc us from it's solemn
engagements.
"lt is the peoples question, and will
he until its determination is written ont
in their enlightened verdict. We must
choose between manly doing and base
drSrrtinn. II will never be the latter.
II must be S"lcrly settled in Justice and
good conscience, and it will be. Right
rouSnrSS, which cX:ltcth Il nation, must
control in its solution. No great cmcr-
%"ncy has arisen in this nations history
and progress which has not been met by
I he > 'vrrrign people with high capacity,
with ample strength and ,lnllnching
fidelity t" every honorable obligation.
l'artiSanship can held few of us against
solemn public duty. We have seen this
So often demonstrated in the past us to
mark nnrlrinGly what it will be in the
future. The national sentiment and the
national conscience was never stronger
nr higher than now. There has been Il
reunion Of the people around the holy
tilted hy common sacrifices. The fol
lowers OF Grant and Lee have fought
nmdrr the same Has and fallen for the
same faith. Party lines have loOScncd
and ties of union have been rooted in
lhr heart OF the American people. Polit-
ral passion has altogether subsidized and
patriotism glowS with incxtinguishaDlc
|crvor in every home in the land. The
lag has been sustained on distant seas
md islands by the men Of all parties and
sections, and crccdS and races, and
and its stars are only
hos" Of radicnt hope to the remote
peoples over whom it floats.
"Thcrc can be no Imperialism. Those
Hho fear it are against it. Those who
have faith in the Republic are against it.
)" that there is universal adherence for
and unanimous opposition to it. Our
'm!T difference is that those who do not
'%rcC with H. have no confidence in the |
'ir)nc or capacity, or high purpose or
GOOD faith Of this free people as Il civil |
izing agency; while we bclicvc;that the
century Of free government which the |
american people have enjoyed has not |
rnd"rcd them faithlcSS and irrcsulutc, |
'ut has fitted them for the great task Of |
ItiinG up and assisting to better conh- !
ions those distant people, who have
through the issue Of battle become our |,
wards. Let us fear not. There is no |
occasion for faint hearts, 10 excuse for |
'cGrctS. Nations do not grow in strength,
md The cause Of liberty and law is not |
advanced by the doing Of easy things.
| Ia" murder the task the greater will be
Il" result, benefit and the honor. 70 |