The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-03-04
ADDRESS BY MCKINLEY.
Says We will Not Permit Despotism
in" the Philippines.

ciety of New York held its coartecnth
annual dinner at the Waldorf Astoria
tonight. William Mckinley. President
of the United States, was the guest of
honor. More than four hundred covers
We're laid
Among those at the Presidents table
were NJ. l. Southland, President Of the
Onio Society Of New York; Governor
Theodore Roosevelt, Governor George
X. Nash, Ex-Governor Levi =. Motion,
Cornelius y. Bliss. Senator Mark Han
ma, Lieutenant Governor Timothy L.
Woodruff, Judge Addison Brown, Gen
eral Wagner b. Swayne, General IL. G..
CofbiG. IL. Clay Evans, General Thomas
Ii. Hubbard. Charles Dick. John bar
rett, Tunis G. Bergin and Julian I.
DayieA
"Wel will soon have legislative assur-
ance of the continuance of the gold
standard with which we measure our ex-
changes, and we have the open door in
the Far East through which to market
our products. We are neither in alli-
ance nor antagonism nor ENHANCEMENT
with any foreign power, but on terms
Of anlty and cordially with all. We
buy from all of them and sell to all of
them and our sales exceeded our pur-
chaseS IN the past two years by Over one
billion dollars. Markets have been in
creased and mortgages have been reduc-
ed. Interest has fallen and wages has
advanced. The public debt is d lcerasing.
The country us well to do. Its people
for the most part are happy and content
ed. They have good times and are en-
good terms with the nations of the world
After 80 Years of unbroken peace
came an unavoidable war. Happily tie
conclusion was quickly reached, without
a suspicion of unworthy motive of prac-
tice or purpose on our part and with
fadeless honor to our arms. | cannot for
get the quick response of the people to
the country's need and the quarter of
million men who freely offered their lives
to their country's service. 1t DENIM
strated our mighty reserve power and
taught us that large standing a. mics are
unnecessary when eve-y oltlzen is a min
ute man, ready To join the ranks for ma
tionai defense.
Out of these recent events have cc1ne
to the United States grave trials and
responsibilities. AS it was the nations
y ufN the results the nations prob
lem. Its solution rests ubon us. 1t is
repose. No phrase or catchword can can
eel the sacred obligation ii involves. No
use of epitnets, no aspersion of motives
by those who differ will contribute to
that sober Judgment SO essential to right
conclusions. No political cutlery can aoro-
gate our treaty of peace with Spain or
absolye US from its solemn engag, ments.
1t is the peoples question and Will be
until its determination is written cut in
their enlightened verdict. We must
choose between manly doing and base
desertion. 1t will never be the lattet.
1t must be soberly settled i'll justice and
good conscience and it will be. Righj eouS-
~ s., which cNal tn Il natiyn must co..trol
III its solution. No great emergency Las
arisen in this nations history and prog
resS which has not been met by the
sovereign people with high capacity, with
ample strength and untiincAlng fidelity
to every honorable obligation. Partisan
ship can hold few of us against solemn
public duty.
The national sentiment and the ia.
tional conscience was never stronger or
higher than now There has been Il re-
union of the people around the holy
altar cotSecrated to country newly sanct-
itied by common sacrifices.
There can be no imperialism. Thos
who fear are against it. Those wac
have faith in the republic are against it.
SO that there is universal abhOrie.i,n
for it and unanimous opposition to it. !
Our only difference is that those wnC
do not agree with us have no confidence
in the virtue or capacity or high purpose
or good faith Of this free people as Il
civilizing agency; while we believe that
the century of free government which
the American people have enjoyed has
not rendered them faithless and gr;so.
lutte, but has fitted them for the gceat
task of lifting up and assisting to better
conditions those distant peoples who have
through the issue of battle become our
wards. The harder the task the greater
will be the result, benefit and the honor.
To doubt cur power to accomplish 1t IS
to lose faith in the soundness and
strength of our popular institutions. Tie
liberators will never become the oDprcs-
sors. A self governed people will yer
permit despotism in amy government
which they foster and defend.
Gentlemen, we have the new care
and cannot shift it. And, breaking Up
the camp of ease and isolation, let us
bravely and hopefully and soberly con-
tinue the march of faithful service and
falter not until the work is DONE