The St. Louis Republic., 1900-11-25

Philadelphia, Pa. Nov. 2i.-President Nc
Kinley to-day paid his first visit to this
city since his election. and met with ah
enthusiastic reception. He came as the guest
OF the Union League, having been invited
to attend the Founders Day" banquet OF
that organization. The President was ae-
companied ny all the members of his Cab
inst. with the exception Of Secretary Root,
who IL In Cuba.
The presidential party arrived here in
special train over the Pennsylvania, at $3.50
o'clock this afternoon. An immense throns
was in waiting at the station. and the ap-
pearance of the President was the signal
for an enthusiastic outbreak of applause
Women waved handkerchiefs and silk flags
and men raised their hats az President Me
Kinley passed. From the train to his car
riage Mr.. Mckinley carried his silk hat
in his hand and bowed In acknowledgment
of the ovation extended him.
The party was driven to the residence or
E. r. Stotesbury. and at o'clock went TO
the Union League. As the President stepped
from his carriage and made his way up
the steps of the building he was vociferous-
ly cheered. Inside the clubhouse the mem-
bers crowded about the chief executive. who
was compelled to submit to much hand
shaking.
The party then proceeded to the banquet
room, where the covers had been laid for Sit
persons. While the dinner was in progress
Vice President elect Roosevelt arrived from
New York.
President Mckinley spoke as follows:
Gentlemen of the Union League: An
after-dinner speech Is to me always a dif-
fcuit performance; an after-election speech,
after II dinner, is still more difficult task,
and / shall do little more than make ach-
nowledgment to this patriotic association
for it's unceasing loyalty to the Govern
,nent; for the earnest support 1t has given
to the present administration in trying
years through which it has passed, and ex-
press my sincere thanks for the great honor
this meeting and demonstration bring to
me. which should be shared by. my. distit-
guished associate on the national ticket, the
Vice President elect, as well by those
connected with Inc in the conduct of public
affairs.
I'VE are always in danger of exaggera-
ton on an occasion of eXultation over a
political victory, and while the result Is
mainly due TO the efforts of our splendid
party. there Is sometimes a tendency to give
too little credit TO other forces. which.
silent though they may have been. were
none the less potential.
Analyses the Result.
''We must not withhold generous ack-
nowledgment from that great body of our
citizens who. belonging TO another party.
powerfully assisted in the achievement of
the result which you celebrate tonight; nor
from that other large body, former men,
bers Of our own party. who with honesty of
purpose, separated from us few years ago
on financial issues and have now returned
and are homo again to stay.
Nor Is any accounting for the victory
either just or accurate which leaves out
Of the calculation the almost unbroken
column Of labor engaged in mechanics and
agriculture. which rejected the false doc
trine of class distinction as having no
those teachings which would destroy the
faith of American manhood in American
character and American Institutions The
business men in every part of the country,