The Irish standard., 1900-12-01
TALKS. AT A BANQUET.
PRESIDENT Mckinley Declares in Phil
adelphia That There Is No
Danger of Empire,

Ihladelphla, Nov. 26. - President
Mckinley, in speech before the Union
League club of this city Saturday even
ing, paid glowing tribute to the silent
forces that brought about republican
victory in the recent election. During
his speech, which was brief, he also
announced the principles for which a
great majority of the voters had de-
clared themselves, and expressed the
hope that the administration might
meet the expectations of the people,
who had honored it with return to
power.
The occasion was founders day" at
the Union League club, and the gath
ering included many notable men
from New York, Washington and lead
ing cities in Pennsylvania. Numerous
speeches were made during the even
ing, and those second in Importance
to that Of the president We're by Gov.
Roosevelt and Senators Lodge and VOL
colt.
When the president arose to speak he
was greeted with long-continued ap-
plause. When quiet had been restored
he spoke in part as follows:
"We are always in danger of exaggera.
ton on an occasion of eyultation over a
political victory. and while the result is
mainly due to the efforts of our splendid
party, there is sometimes tendency tc
give too little credit to other forces, which
silent though they may have been, were
none the less potential.
eve must not withhold generous ac.
acknowledgement 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
members of our own party, who, with hon.
esty OF purpose, separated from us few
years ago on financial issues, have now re.
turned and are home again to stay.
Nor is any accounting for the victory
either Just or accurate which leaves out o1
the calculation the almost unbroken column
of labor engaged in mechanics and agricul.
ture, which rejected the false. doctrine Of
class distinction as having no place in this
republic, and which rebuked those teachings
which would destroy the faith of American
manhood in American character and Amer.
lean institutions. The business men in every
part of the country, typifed by this great
organization, were mighty factor in the
recent contest. And may we not also as.
crbe much to the influence of the home
with its affiliations? In any previous elec.
tion, was it greater, or in any did the coun.
sells Of the fireside determine more largely
the vote of the electors?
Nothing in government can be more i'm.
pressive than national election, where the
people delegate their power and invest Their
constitutional agents with authority to ex
ecute their behests. The very character Of
the transaction clothes it with solemnity
''We cannot ovefestimate the great i'm
portance and the far-reaching consequences
Of the electoral contest which ended on the
9th of November. 1t has to me no persona
phase. 1t is not the triumph of an individ
ual, nor altogether of party. but an EN-
phatic declaration by the people of what
they believe and would have maintained in
government. A great variety of subjects
was presented and discussed in the progress
of the campaign. We may differ as to the
extent of the influence of the several issues
involved, but we are all agreed as to Ger
tain things which it settled.
"It records the unquestioned Endorsement
of the gold standard, industrial independ
ence, broader markets, commercial ex
pans;on, reciprocal trade, the open door il
China, the inviolability of public faith, the
independence and authority of the judiciary
and peace and benefcent government undel
American sovereignty in the Philippines
American credit remains unimpaired, the
American name unimpeached, the honor ot
American arms unsullied and the obligations
of righteous war and treaty of peace un
repudated
"The republican party has placed upon il
tremendous responsibilities. No party
could ask for higher expression of con
fdence. 1t is great thing to have this con
fdence; it will be greater thing to deserve
and hold it. To this party are committed
new and grave problems. They are too ex
alted for partisanship. The task of settle
ment is for the whole American people. Who
will say they are unequal to it?
Liberty has not lost, but gained ir
strength. The structure of the father.
stands secure upon the foundations or
which they raised it, and is to-day, as it ha!
been in the years past, and as it will be ir
the years to come, the government of the
people, by the people and for the people,
"Be not disturbed; there is no danger
from empire; there is no fear for the re
public"