cases in which it is free to act, to maintain inviolate the relations of peace and amity towards other nations.

The inducements of interest for observing that conduct will best be referred to your own reflections and experience. With me a predominant motive has been to endeavor to gain time to our country to settle and mature its yet recent institutions, and to progress without interruption to that degree of strength and consistency which is necessary to give it, humanly speaking, the command of its own fortunes.

Though, in reviewing the incidents of my administration, I am unconscious of intentional error, I am nevertheless too sensible of my defects not to think it probable that I may have committed many errors. Whatever they may be, I fervently beseech the Almighty to avert or mitigate the evils to which they may tend. I shall also carry with me the hope that my country will never cease to view them with indulgence; and that, after forty-five years of my life dedicated to its service with an upright zeal, the faults of incompetent abilities will be consigned to oblivion, as myself must soon be to the mansions of rest.

Relying on its kindness in this as in other things, and actuated by that fervent love towards it, which is so natural to a man who views in it the native soil of himself and his progenitors for several generations; I anticipate with pleasing expectation that retreat, in which I promise myself to realize, without alloy, the sweet enjoyment of partaking in the midst of my fellow-citizens, the benign influence of good laws under a free government, the ever favorite object of my heart, and the happy reward, as I trust, of our mutual cares, labors and dangers.

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

WILLIAM MCKINLEY

1843-1901

Address delivered at the Pan-American Exposition, Buffalo, N. Y., Sept. 5, 1901.

This retrospective view of what the nineteenth century accomplished, and the presentation of the needs and possibilities of the twentieth century along the lines of national and international commerce and comity, was a masterpiece of forensic efforts, and will remain a memorable specimen of excellent English.

In many statements it is epigrammatic; it is full of the optimistic spirit; the doctrine of reciprocity was never more clearly outlined. His own plans and purposes for the progress of the nation and the advancement of the world following the "victories of peace, are succinctly and strongly stated. It is a valuable lesson in history, geography, commerce and patriotism. From the Declaration of Independence to this memorable address of William McKinley, from 1776 to 1901, what vast achievements have been accomplished in discovery, in invention, in trade and commerce, in agriculture and manufacture and best of all in the progress of human liberty and the amelioration of mankind.

William McKinley was a great man, a good man, and it has been said of him that "from birth he was following God's way under the guidance of his mother-the old-fashioned mother truly worthy of that precious name.

Again it is said and this should be impressed upon our young people, "His main endeavor seemed to be to acquire an education so as to put himself in a position to aid in bettering the straightened circumstances which surrounded the family. He toiled at his books, labored at anything that presented itself during vacations to earn money for more books and more schooling."

We may change and then apply to him the couplet he used: He will live beyond his too short living,

With praises and thanksgiving.

LAST ADDRESS OF PRESIDENT MCKINLEY

I am glad to be again in the City of Buffalo and exchange greetings with her people, to whose generous hospitality I am not a stranger, and with whose good will I have been repeatedly and signally honored.

To-day I have additional satisfaction in meeting and giving welcome to the foreign representatives assembled here, whose presence and participation in this exposition have contributed in so marked a degree to its interests and success. To the commissioners of the Dominion of Canada and the British colonies, the French colonies, the republics of Mexico and of Central and South America, and the commissioners of Cuba and Porto Rico, who share with us in this undertaking, we give the hand of fellowship and felicitate with them upon the triumphs of art, science, education and manufacture which the old has bequeathed to the new century.

Expositions are the timekeepers of progress. They record the world's advancement. They stimulate the energy, enterprise and intellect of the people, and quicken human genius. They go into the home. They broaden and brighten the daily life of the people. They open mighty storehouses of information to the student.

Every exposition, great or small, has helped to some onward step. Comparison of ideas is always educational, and as such instructs the brain and hand of man. Friendly rivalry follows, which is the spur to industrial improvement, the inspiration to useful invention and to high endeavor in all departments of human activity. It exacts a study of the wants, comforts, and even the