74_185_ct

December 17, 1898

Earthquake Shocks.

There were two shocks of earthquake felt here about 3 o’clock yesterday morning. The first was the longest and heaviest, and lasted about ten seconds. It was severe enough to cause a rattling of windows and to awaken heavy sleepers. Another followed in about two minutes, but it was light, although the tremor was plainly perceptible.

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M'KINLEY REJOICES IN AMERICAN UNITY.

ATLANTA (Ga.), December 15. -- At the Peace Jubilee banquet at the Kimball House to-night President McKinley responded to the toast "Our Country." He began by a pleasant reference to an earlier visit to the city of Atlanta, and spoke feelingly of his association then with Georgia's brilliant editor, the late Henry Grady.

Continuing, the President said: "Four years have gone since I last met the people of Georgia in public assembly. Much has happened in the intervening time. The Nation has been at war, not within its own shores, but with a foreign power; a war waged not for revenge or aggrandizement, but for our oppressed neighbors, for their freedom and amelioration. It was short, but decisive. It recorded a succession of significant victories on land and sea. It gave new honors to American arms. It has brought new problems to the Republic, whose solution will tax the genius of our people. United we will meet and solve them with honor to ourselves and to the lasting benefit of all concerned. The war brought us together; its settlement will keep us together.

"Reunited. Glorious realization! It expresses the thought of my mind and the long-deferred consummation of my heart's desire as I stand in this presence. It interprets the hearty demonstration here witnessed and is the patriotic refrain of all sections and of all lovers of the Republic.

"Reunited! One country again and one country forever! Proclaim it from the press and the pulpit! Teach it in the schools! Write it across the skies! The world sees and feels it! It cheers every heart, North and South, and brightens the life of every American home. Let nothing ever strain it again. At peace with all the world and with each other, what can stand in the pathway of our progress and prosperity?"