The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-02-13
MINISTER WI SPEAKS.
Praises the American People and
Their Great Energy.


GRAND RAPIDS, Mich, Feb. 12.-The
Lincoln Club of this city celebrated the
birthday of Lincoln tonight with a ban
quet, Congressman William Alden Smith
bringing a number of guests from Wash
ington. The principal guest was Minister
WI. The Chinese minister was warmly
welcomed when he arose to respond to a
toast. He said in part:
Looking back through the vista of time,
l am inclined TO think that the civil war,
coming as 1t did, was not altogether q bad
thing for the country. Measured by the
amount of wealth destroyed by fire and
sword and the quantity of blood spilled on
the battlefield, the war was undoubtedly an
appalling calamity. But, measured by the
glorious results achieved, chief among
which was the settlement of the slavery
question, the war was not an unmiXed evil;
for before the war slavery had been an in
cubuS weighing heavily upon the life and
energy of the Nation. 1t had chung like
heavy shadow over the whole land. 1t had
divided the country into two hostile fac
tions-one working for its abolition and the
other for its extension. Under such cir
cumstances the question OF slavery had to
be settled before the country could enter
upon the road of prosperity and peace. For
as long as that question remained unset
tied the people wasted their time and
thought in bitter controversy and all the
important matters pertaining TO internalt
development and foreign commerce were
relegated to the background. The war
came and Lincoln cut the gordian knot by
issuing has famous emancipation proclama-
ton. With the abolition of slavery the
country at once awoke to a new life.
What a change in the condition of
things from what they were no further
back than two or three decades ago. Then
the industries Of the country required gov
eminent protection for their healthy
growth. Now American products and man
ufacturers can hold their own not only in
domestic but also in foreign markets Then
the United States was content to keep aloof
from the rest of the world. Now you are
not TO be satisfied with anything less than
a world power. 1t is the irresistible logic of
events that has brought about the new or
der Of things.
1.-THE question now is whether you Amer
leans realize the change. Fortunately you
have men at the helm of affairs that can
grasp the full meaning of the new problems
which confront the Nation. President Nc
Kinley sounded the keynote to the present
situation when he said: The period Of ex-
cusiveness is past. Reciprocity treaties are
in harmony with the spirit of the times
Now cannot this grand principle of reci-
procity be applied to the intercourse be-
tween China and the United States? 1t is
not merely a matter of sentiment but also
a matter of business that this should be
done.
I'm order to pave the way for inter
change Of friendly offces-for the profitable
employment of American capital and
American energy in the development of
China to the advantage of both-the estab-
llSII1eII OF SOOu letllilS between the people
of the two countries is a primary requisite.
There should be perfectly fair dealing;
there should be no invidious discrimination
of any kind whatever. Then will there be
mutual helpfulness between the old empire
and the youthful republic. Then both coun-
tries will reap the benefit of genuine reci-
procity.'
Congressman William Alden Smith acted
as POSTMASTER and speeches were also
made by Congressman Cousins of Iowa,
Congressman c. B. Lands of Indiana,
Henry d. Estabrook of Illinois, and the
Hon. Amos T. Wilder of Wisconsin.