Commems Collection Classic: 1901-02 Pan-American Exposition - William Mc Kinley

I've posted before about the Gold Dollars for the Louisiana Purchase Exposition and the driver behind US President William McKinley being depicted on one of the program's two coins (US President Thomas Jefferson was the other). (Read it here: 1903/04 Louisiana Purchase Exposition.)

McKinley was assassinated at the 1901-02 Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York. He was shot by Leon Czolgosz on September 6, 1901 and died just over a week later on September 14, 1901. The day before he was shot, as the guest of honor at the Exposition, McKinley addressed attendees - it was the last speech he was to give.

It was an upbeat address, that touted America's development and its place in the world, the importance of building the Panama Canal and the necessity and benefits of international trade. The speech is far too long to duplicate here, but I've shared the opening paragraphs. (To read the complete speech, see McKinley's Last Speech.)

"President Milburn, Director-General Buchanan, Commissioners, Ladies and Gentlemen:

"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 interest 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 whims of the people, and recognizes the efficacy of high quality and low prices to win their favor. The quest for trade is an incentive to men of business to devise, invent, improve, and economize in the cost of production. Business life, whether among ourselves or with other peoples, is ever a sharp struggle for success. It will be none the less so in the future. Without competition we would be clinging to the clumsy and antiquated processes of farming and manufacture and the methods of business of long ago, and the twentieth would be no further advanced than the eighteenth century. But though commercial competitors we are, commercial enemies we must not be.

"The Pan-American Exposition has done its work thoroughly; presenting in its exhibits evidences of the highest skill and illustrating the progress of the human family in the Western Hemisphere. This portion of the earth has no cause for humiliation for the part it has performed in the march of civilization. It has not accomplished everything; far from it. It has simply done its best, and without vanity or boastfulness, and recognizing the manifold achievements of others, it invites the friendly rivalry of all the powers in the peaceful pursuits of trade and commerce, and will cooperate with all in advancing the highest and best interests of humanity. The wisdom and energy of all the nations are none too great for the world's work. The success of art, science, industry, and invention is an international asset and a common glory."

Near the end of his speech, McKinley returned to the Exposition itself:

"These buildings will disappear; this creation of art and beauty and industry will perish from sight, but their influence will remain to

"Make it live beyond its too short living
With praises and thanksgiving."

"Who can tell the new thoughts that have been awakened, the ambitions fired, and the high achievements that will be wrought through this exposition? Gentlemen, 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."

A strong closing - rich in meaning - for a very good speech!

The US Mint struck the Pan-American Exposition's Official Medal:



McKinley was recalled on a gold coin of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition:



and the 1916-17 William McKinley Memorial Gold Dollar. (McKinley has the distinction of being the only person to appear on two US commemorative Gold Dollars.)




For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, including others about the McKinley coins referenced here, see: Commems Collection.