The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1904-06-22


ing and disciplining the militia had
national provisions. bodies of State
troops, created for local purposes and
supported at local expense, had grown
inss towards the regular army were
rather OF distrust and dislike than of
comradeship. Their arms, equipment
discipline. organization ana methods
niles were varied and inconsistent.
They were unsuited 70 become a part
OF any homogeneous force, and their
relations to the Army of the United
states were underlined and con1ecturai.
BY the Militia Act OF January 20. 1908,
Congress performed its duty under the
sill to perform their duties to the
ST ates, 1t made them the organized
militia OF the United States. 1t pro-
o orrsq and disoipiise to the Army
WAYS in which. either strictly as mil
tia or as volunteers they should be-
called upon; 1t provided for their train
irg, instruction and exercise conformity
with the Regular Army; IT imposed up
noting their efficiency I'm many ways.
In recognition Of the service to the
Nation which these citizen soldiers
ZION Woa'u assumed ISL It's share Of the burden
of their armament, their supply and
their training. The workings OF this
system have already demonstrated not
of the Regular Army trained for duty
in war. but that we can have body
OF volunteer officers ready for service
between whom and the officers of the
Regular Army have been created by
| Intimate association and mutual help
| fulness, those relations OF confidence
and esteem without which no army can
The first administration of Mcxin-
ley fought and won the war with
Spain. put down the insurrection In
the Philippines, annexed Hawaii, res
cued the legations in Pekin, brought
Porto Rico into our commercial sys-
tenn, enacted a protective tariff and
established our national currency on
dard by the financial legislation OF the
Fifty-sixth Congress.
The present administration has re-
duced taxation, reduced the public debt,
reduced the annual interest charge
made effective progress in the regula-
ton OF trust, fostered business, pro-
NOTED agriculture. built up the navy.
lreorganiZed the army, resurrected the
militia system, inaugurated new
policy for the preservation and re.
lclamation of public lands, given civil
government to the Philippines, estab-
lished the Republic of Cuba, bound II
to us by ties of gratitude, of CONNER
ciaI interests and OF common defense,
listhmus, strengthened the Monroe doc
trine. ended the Alaskan boundary
dispute. protected the integrity of
China, opened wider its doors of trade
advanced the principle of arbitration,
and promoted peace among the nations
We chafienge judgment upon this
record of effective performance in
Legislation, in execution and In admin
istration.
The work is not fully done: policies
are not completely wrought out; do
nestle questions still press continually
for solution: other trusts must be
regulated; the tariff may presently re-
ceive revision, and IL so. should receive
1t 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
benefit of that long-neglected country;
our flag floats on the 1sthmus. but the
canal Is yet to be built; peace does
not yet reign on earth, and consider
ate firmness 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 beneit and honor
OF our country, shall be transferred
to unknown and perehance to feeble
hands.
No Dividing Line. "A
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; II took away from
the people the President of their
potent force making always for right
eousness and for humanity. But the
fabric of free institutions remained I'M
shaken. The government of the peo-
pie went on. The, great party that
in the spirit Of his example. His true
and loyal successor has been equal to
the burden cast upon him. Widely
different in temperament and methods,
he has approved himself of the same
elemental virtues-the same funda-
mental beliefs. With faithful ana
revering memory. he has executed the
purposes and continued unbroken the
policy of President Mckinley for the
peace. prosperity and honor Of our be-
loved country. And he has met all
new occasions with strength and reso-
luton and far-sighted wisdom.
AS we gather in this convention, our
hearts go back to the friend--the never
to be forgotten friend, whom when
last we met we acclaimed with one
accord as our universal choice to bear
a second time the highest honor in the
nations gift: and back still, memory
goes through many a year of leader
ship and loyalty.
How wise and how skillful he was!
how modest and self effacing! how deep
his insight into the human heart! how
swift the intuitions of his sympathy!
how compelling the charm of his graz
cious presence! He was so unselfish,
so thoughtful of the happiness of
Others so genuine lover of his coun-
try and his kind. And he was the
kindest and tenderest friend who ever
grasped anothers hand. Alas, that
his virtues did plead in vain against
cruel fate!
Yet we may rejoice that while he
lived he was crowned with honor; that
the rancor of party strife had ceased;
that success in his great task. the
restoration of peace, the approval of
his countrymen, the affection of his
friends-gave the last quiet months