Evening journal., 1908-05-11

The President in his address said:
This is a memorable occasion for all
the peoples OF the Western Hemisphere
The building, the cornerstone OF which we
lay to-day. emphasizes by its existence the
growing sense Of solidarity of interest and
aspiration among all the peoples OF the
New World. 1t makes our recognition Of
the need to knit ever closer together all
the republics of the Western Hemisphere,
through the kindly bonds OF mutual jus
tice. good will, and sympathetic compre-
hension.
At the outset. on behalf OF all OF us I
wish TO thank Ny Carnegie for his gener-
Gus gift-a gift to all the nations Of the
New World. and therefore pre-eminently
fitting as coming from one who has so
sincerely striven for the cause of peace
among nations; for while we have vet a
long path to tread before we can speak
with any certainty of the day when wars
shall cease from the earth. we of this
Western Hemisphere. by movements suct
as that symbolized by this building. have
taken great strides toward securing per.
manent peace among ourselves.
In the next place, as President of thi,
Republic 1 greet the representatives Of al
our sister republics to the south of US. Ir
a sense. you are our elder sisters ant
we the younger people, FOR you represent
more ancient civilization on this con.
tinent than we do.
Your fathers, the Spanish and Por-
tuguese explorers, conquerors. law
giVers, and commonwealth builders.
had founded a fourishing civilization
In the tropics and the South Temper
ate Zone while all America north of
the Rio Grande was still unmapped
wilderness. Your people had founded
American universities, were building
beautiful cities, were laying deep the
foundations of future national life. at
many different points in the vest terri
tory stretching from the Colorado to
the Plata, before the ships Of the
Frenchman and the Englishman, the
Swede and the Hollander had found
permanent havens on the North At
lantic seacoast. For centuries our sew
eral civilizations grew each in it's own
way but each sundered from the
others. Now we are growing together.
More and more in the future we shall
each give to and get from the others
not merely things Of material value
but things that are Of worth for the
Intellectual and spiritual welfare of all
I Of us. In the century that has passed
the development of North America
has, on the whole, proceeded faster
/ than the development Of South Amer
lea; but in the century that has now
opened I believe that no other part OF
the world will see such extraordinary
development in wealth, in populaci IN
in all that makes for progress. as will
be seen from the northern boundary
of Mexico through all Central
and South America; and
can assure you that the people OF
this nation look with the most profound
satisfaction upon the great growth that
has already taken place in the countries
which you representa- growth alike in
political stability and in the material
well-being which can only come when
there is political stability.
Our battle fleet has Just finished It's
trip around South America, and wish
TO thank the rulers and the people OF
South America and of Mexico for TIE
generous and courteous hospitality
which has been shown this fleet or
every possible occasion throughout the
trip
In conclusion. let me speak OF another
trip. made a couple Of years ago by
the Secretary of State, Elihu Root, The
first time in our history the American
Secretary of State. during his term q
Office. left the country TO visit certain
other nations. Mr.. Root made the com.
plete tour of South America, traverset
/ Central America, and afterwards visit.
ed Mexico He was everywhere re.
ceived with the hearticst greeting, &
/ greeting which deeply touched our peo.
pie. and wish to say once more how
appreciative we are of the reception
rendered him.
His voyage was unique in character
and in value. It was undertaken only
because we citizens Of this Republic
recognize that our interests are NOR.
closely intertwined with the interest.
of the other peoples Of this continent
than with those Of any other nations
1 believe that history will say tina
though we have had other great Secre
taries of State. we have had non'
greater than Elihu Root: and tha
though in his high Office he has don,
much for the good Of the nation and o.
mankind. vet that his greatest achieve
ment has been the success which ha.
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