President McKinley's speech at the Pan-American Exposition /

The film begins by showing the introductory speaker at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo. The speaker introduces the incumbent president of the United States, William F. McKinley. The remainder of the film is a straight-on moving photograph of the president during his last public speech.
"In this picture we present a wonderful and life-like likeness of President McKinley. He first walks upon the platform, escorting Mrs. McKinley, whom he very reverently shows to a seat. The President is next introduced to the audience by President Milburn, of the Pan-American Exposition, and, amid hand-clapping, cheering, and waving of hats, he at once begins his memorable speech. He is close to our camera and we secured an absolutely perfect photograph"--Edison films catalog.
H8589 U.S. Copyright Office
Copyright: Thomas A. Edison; 11Sept1901; H8589.
Appearing: William McKinley, John G. Milburn, Ida Saxton McKinley.
Duration: 1:17 at 15 fps.
The Library of Congress copy of this film may not include all of the scenes described in the Edison films catalog summary.
Paper print shelf number (LC 1811) was changed when the paper prints were re-housed.
Additional holdings for this title may be available. Contact reference librarian.
Text of the speech, transcribed from Columbia Graphophone Record A28, "Address by the Late President McKinley at the Pan-American Exposition" by Len Spencer: "My fellow citizens, trade statistics indicate that this country is in a state of unexampled prosperity. The figures show that we are furnishing profitable employment to the millions of working men throughout the United States. Our capacity to produce has developed so enormously, and our products have so multiplied, that the problem of more markets requires our urgent and immediate attention. By sensible trade arrangements, which will not interrupt our home production, we shall extend the outlets for our ever increasing surplus. What we produce beyond our domestic consumption must have vent abroad. The expansion of our trade and commerce is the pressing problem. Next in advantage to having the thing to sell is to have the conveyance to carry it to the buyer. We must encourage our merchant marine. We must have more ships. They must be under the American flag: built, manned, and owned by Americans. These will not only be profitable in a commercial sense, they will also be messengers of peace wherever they go. Reciprocity treaties are in harmony with the spirit of the times. We must build the isthmian canal which will unite the two oceans and give a straight line of communications with the western coasts of Central and South America, and Mexico. The construction of a pacific cable cannot be longer postponed. In the furtherance of these objects of national interest and concern, you are performing and important part. The good work will go on - it cannot be stopped. These buildings will disappear. This creation of art and beauty and industry will perish from sight. But who can tell the new thoughts that have been awakened, the ambition fired, and the high achievement that will be wrought through this exposition. Gentleman, let us ever remember that our interest is in concord, not conflict. And that our real eminence rests in the victories of peace, not those of war."
LC also holds another film of the same subject in the Theodore Roosevelt Association Collection, under the title, President McKinley speaking at Buffalo, 1901.
Photographed September 5, 1901 in Buffalo, New York.
Available also through the Library of Congress Web site as digital files.
Sources used: Niver, K. Early motion pictures, p. 257; Edison films catalog no. 135, September 1902, p. 12.
Early motion pictures : the Paper Print Collection in the Library of Congress / by Kemp R. Niver. Library of Congress. 1985.
35 mm dupe neg pic renumbered: FPF 0055 to FZA 2790.