Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1900-03-13
OUR SACRED OBLIGATION.
The Future of Island Possessions
is Peoples Question.
THE PRESIDENT SPEAKS
Recent Events Have Inn posed Great
Responsibilities in the
United States.


fourteenth annual banquet of the Ohio
Society of New York, held Saturday
night in the grand ballroom of the Wal
dorf-Astoria. The Ohioans assembled
400 strong, with an additional hundred
of distinguished guests at thirty-one
round tables, superbly decked with flow
erS
Senator Mark Hanna occupied a seat
of honor. two removed from the Presl-
dent. with Cornelius \. Bliss as his
neighbOr. Others at the speakers table
were Senator S. Il. Elkins, Gov. Roose
Welt, Lieut.-Gov. Woodruff, Gov. George
X. Nash Of Ohio, John X. Richards, So
licitor-general; former Gov. Levi Z. Nor
ton of New York, Col James II. Hoyt of
Ohio, Gen. III. G.. Corbin, Addison
Swayne, Gen. Thomas II. Hubbard of
the New England society Rev. Edwin
Fl. Kraus of the Canadian society, James
j. OGorman of the Friendly Sons of st.
Patrick, Charles Diet. Ii. Clay Evans,
John Barrett, Tunis G.. Bergen of the
Holland society, Julien II. Davies of st.
Davids society and Henry Z. Towns of
the Pennsylvania society.
President NJ. r. Southland Of the Ohio
society, acting rs POSTMASTER, held the
center of the honor table, President Nc
Kinley on the right and Gov. Nash on
the left For an hour before the ban
quet President Mckinley had welcomed
ali corners in the Astor gallery adjoining
the ballroom.
The speakers wore the President, Gov.
Nash of Ohio. who spoke on "The Gov
ernors of Ohio" Lieut.-Gov. Woodruff,
who replied for the Empire State" So
lictor- General John X Richards, Col.
James III. Hoyt.
1t was 10 o'clock before POSTMASTER
Southland rose to deliver the address of
welcome. He spoke briefly.
President Mckinley arose to reply amid
: 4 storm of plaudits, napkins were waved
and cheers were given with Il will
President Mckinley then spoke as fol-
lows:
Speech of President Mckinley.
I appreciate your welcome and thank you
for this renewed expression of goodwill.
1t is proper that should say that the man
aging board of the Ohio society has kept the
promises made to me that would not be
expected or required to speak at this ban
quet | shall not be guilty of rejecting on
their good faith or breaking my own resolu
ton not to speak il | indulge in some Obser-
yatiOns while expressing in the briefest
manner the pleasure which | have in greet
New York. There is 4 bond of close fellow
ship which unites Ohio people, Wherever
they journey or wherever they dwell they
cherish tendereSt sentiment for their moth
or state, and she in turn never fails of af-
fectionate interest in her widely scattered
children.
The statement which has been so often
made is not far from the truth, ''Once an
Ohioan, always an Ohioan." 1t has been
some years since | your guest. Much
has happened in the meantime. We have
had our blessings and burdens and still
have both. We will soon have legislative
assurance of the continuance of the gold
standard, with which we measure our eN-
changes. and we have the open door in the
far East. through which to market our prod
ucts. We are neither in alliance nor an
tagonsm nor ENHANCEMENT with any for
eign power but on terms of amity and cor
dialty with all. We buy from all of them
and sell to all of them, and our sales eX
ceeded our purchases in the last two years
by over one billion dollars.
Country Prosperous and Happy.
Markets have been increased and mort
cages have. been reduced. Interest has fall
Ell and wages have advanced The public
debt is decreasing. The country is we'll to
do. It's people for the most part are happy
and contented. They have good times and
are on good terms with the nations of the
world.
There are unfortunately those among us.
few in number. / am sure, who seem to
thrive best under bad times and who when
good times Overtake them in the United
States feel constrained to put US on bad
terms with the rest of mankind. With them
1 can have no sympathy. | would rather
give expression to what / believe to be the
nobler and almost universal sentiment of
my countrymen in the wish not only for our
peace and prosperity, but for the peace and
prosperity of all the nations and peoples of
the earth.
After. thirty-three years of unbroken
peace came unavoidable war. Happily
the conclusion was quickly reached, without
a suspicion of unworthy motive of prac-
tice or purpose on our part and with fade
less honor to our arms. | cannot forget
rhe quick response of the people to the
country's need and the quarter of a million
men who freely offered their lives to their
country's service. 1t was an impressive
spectacle of national strength. 1t demon
strated our mighty reserve power and
unnecessary when every citizen is a min
ute man. ready to join the ranks for ma
tonai defense.
Nations Trials and Problems.
Out Of these recent events have come to
the United States grave trials and RESPONSE
bilties. AS it was the nations war, so are
it's results the nations problem. Its sOlu-
ton rests upon us ALL 1t is too serious to
catchwOrd can cancel the sacred Obliga-
ton it involves No use of epithets, no as
persion of motives by those who differ will
contribute to that sober Judgment so essen
tial to right conclusions. No political cutlery
can abrogate our treaty of peace with Spain
or absolve us from it's solemn engagements
It is the peoples question and will be until
its determination is written out in their en-
frightened verdict. We must choose between
never be the latter. 1t must be soberly set
tied in justice and good conscience, and it
will be. Righteousness, which exalteth
nation. must control in it's solution.
No great emergency has arisen in this ma
tons history and progress which has not
been met by. the sovereign people with high
capacity, with ample strength. and with
unflnching fidelity to every honorable OBJ
ligation. Partisanship hold few of us
against solemn public duty. We have seen
this so often demonstrated in the past a. to
mark unerringy what it will be in the fu-
ture. The national sentiment and the ma
tional conscience were never stronger or
higher than now. There has been re-
union of the people around the holy altar
consecrated TO country and newly sancti-
fed by common sacrifices.
The followers of Grant and Lee have
fought under the same flag and fallen for
the same faith. Party lines have loosened
and the ties :of union have been rooted in
the hearts of the American people. Polit-
ical passion has Altogether subsidized and pa
! triOtism CLOVIS with inextinguiShahle fer
vOr in every home in the land. The flag
has been sustained distant sea and is
lands by the men of all parties and sec
lions, and creeds, and races and national
ties; and its stars are only those of. radiant
hope to the remote people over whom it
floats.
Can be No imperialism.
There ,can be4 no imperialism. Those who
fear are gainsts it. Those who have faith.
in therapeutic are against it. SO that there