who will now address you on the subject of 'Our
Country.'" It was several minutes before the cheering had subsided
sufficiently to enable President McKinley to make his voice heard.]

MR. TOAST-MASTER AND GENTLEMEN:--It affords me gratification to
meet the people of the city of Chicago and to participate with them in
this patriotic celebration. Upon the suspension of hostilities of a
foreign war, the first in our history for over half a century, we have
met in a spirit of peace, profoundly grateful for the glorious
advancement already made, and earnestly wishing in the final termination
to realize an equally glorious fulfillment. With no feeling of
exultation, but with profound thankfulness, we contemplate the events of
the past five months. They have been too serious to admit of boasting or
vain-glorification. They have been so full of responsibilities,
immediate and prospective, as to admonish the soberest judgment and
counsel the most conservative action.

This is not the time to fire the imagination, but rather to discover, in
calm reason, the way to truth, and justice, and right, and when
discovered to follow it with fidelity and courage, without fear,
hesitation, or weakness. [Applause.]

The war has put upon the nation grave responsibilities. Their extent was
not anticipated and could not have been well foreseen. We cannot escape
the obligations of victory. We cannot avoid the serious questions which
have been brought home to us by the achievements of our arms on land and
sea. We are bound in conscience to keep and perform the covenants which
the war has sacredly sealed with mankind. Accepting war for humanity's
sake, we must accept all obligations which the war in duty and honor
imposed upon us. The splendid victories we have achieved would be our
eternal shame and not our everlasting glory if they led to the weakening
of our original lofty purpose or to the desertion of the immortal
principles on which the national government was founded, and in
accordance with whose ennobling spirit it has ever since been faithfully
administered.

The war with Spain was undertaken not that the United States should
increase its territory, but that oppression at our very doors should be
stopped. This noble sentiment must continue to animate us, and we must
give to the world the full demonstration of the sincerity of our
purpose. Duty determines destiny. Destiny which results from duty
performed may bring anxiety and pe