Daily Kennebec journal., 1904-06-22


which these citizen soldiers would be
competent to render, the nation as
sumed it's share of the burden of their
armament, their supply and their
training. The workings of this system
have already demonstrated, not only
that we can have citizens outside Of
the Regular Army trained for duty in
war, but that we can have body OF
volunteer officers ready for service, be-
tween whom and the officers of the
Regular Army have been created by
intimate association and mutual help
fuIness. those relations of confidence
and esteem without which no army can
be effective.
The first administration of Mckinley
fought and won the war with Spain,
put down the insurrection in the Philip
pines. annexed Hawaii, rescued the
legations in Pekin, brought Porto Rico
into our commercial system, enacted Il
protective tariff, and established our
national currency on the firm founda-
tions of the gold standard by the fl
nancial legislation of the 56th Con-
greSs.
The present administration has re-
reduced the annual interest charge.
made effective progress in the regula-
ton of trusts, fostered business, pro-
NOTED agriculture, built up the navy,
reorganized the army, resurrected the
militia system, inaugurated a new
policy for the preservation and
| reclamation of public lands, given civil
government to the Philippines. estab-
lished the Republic of Cuba. bound it
| to us by ties of gratitude, of CONNER
| cial interest and of common defense,
swung open the closed gateway OF the
Isthmus, strengthened the Monroe doc
trine, ended the Alaskan Boundary. dis
pute, protected the integrity OF China,
opened wider it's doors of trade. adj
vanced the principle Of arbitration. and
promoted peace among the nations.
We challenge judgment upon this
record of effective performance i'll leglS-
lation, in execution and in administra-
| ton.
| The work is not fully done: policies
are not completely wrought out; do
| mestic questions still press continually
| for solution; other trusts must be regu-
| lated; the tariff may presently receive
revision, and if so, should receive it at
| the hands of the friends and not the
enemies of the protective system; the
| new Philippine government has only
begun to develop it's plans for the bene-
| fit of that long-neglected country, our
| flag floats OH the Isthmus, but the
| canal is yet to be built peace does not
vet reign on earth, and conslderate
hrmness backed by strength are still
needful in diplomacy.
The American people have now to
| say, whether policies shall be reversed,
or committed to unfriendly guardians;
whether performance, which now
proves itself for the benefit and honor
Of our country, shall be transferred to
unknown and perchance to feeble
| hands.
No dividing line can be drawn
| athwart the course of this successful
administration. The fatal 14th OF
| September, 1901. marked no change OF
policy, no lower level of achievement
The bullet of the assassin robbed us OF
the friend we loved; it took away
from the people the President OF their
choice: it deprived civilization OF a po-
tent force making always for righteous
ness and for humanity. But the fabric
of free institutions remained unshaken
The government of the people went on
The great party that William Mckinney
led, wrought still in the spirit of MS
example. His true and loyal successor
has been equal to the burden cast upon
him. Widely different in temperament
and methods, he has approved hlinsell
of the same elemental Vlrtucs-th1
same fundamental beliefs. With faith
full and rcvcrinE memory. he has eS-
ccut,d the purposes and continued
,lnbrokcn the policy of President NC
Kinlcy for the peace. prosperity ano
honor of our beloved country. And nc
has met all new occasions with
strength and resolution and far-siShted
wisdom.
AS we gather in this convention, ouI
hearts go back to the friend-thc never
to be forgotten friend. whom when last
we met we acclaimed with one accord
as our universal choice to bear d
second time hte highest honor i'll the
Nations gift; and back still, memory
goes through many Il year of leader
ship and loyalty
How wise and how skillful he was!
how modest and sclf-cffacinE. how
deep his insight INTO the human nedrt'
how swift the intuitions of his sym
pathy, how compelling the charm OF
his gracious presence. He was 50 un-
selfish. so thoughtful of the happiness
Of others. 50 genuine a lover of his
country and his kind. And he was tho
kindest and tcndercst friend who cvel
yraspcd anothcr's hand. Alas. that his
virtues did plead i'll vain against crue
| fate,
Yet we may rejoice that while he
lived he was crowned with honor; thai
the rancor Of party strife had ceased
that success in his great tasks the re-
stnration of peace. the approval of his
Countrymcn, the affection of his
fl Ii"nds.-gave the last quiet months il
his home at Canton rcposc and con
tcntment.
And with Mckinley We remember
Hanna with affection and sOrrOw-hi.
great lieutenant. They are together
, again
Eut we turn as they would have IL:
turn, to the duties of the hour. the
hopes of the future; we turn as they