Let me greet those whom I know.

I cannot sufficiently congratulate you, Mr. President, upon what has been done here with this college.

I congratulate you, my fellow citizens, upon what you are doing here, in this great State, in bringing up your children worthily to continue the work that the pioneers began, and that you are helping carry to completion.

Do not misunderstand me.

Phenomenal though your growth has been, it has barely begun.

Nothing could have pleased me more than to have received this gift from the men of the yard, and I appreciate it.

I am absolutely confident of the future, not only of this State, but of our entire country.

This government cannot and shall not become a government either of a plutocracy or of a mob.

The republics of antiquity and of the middle ages all failed and almost invariably because a bitter factional war began among them.

Very few European races have exercised a more profound influence upon Europe, and none has had a more heroic history, than the race occupying the Scandinavian countries of the Old World.

I believe in the pioneer, even when he is as well dressed as the pioneer I am addressing.

And think how absolutely the event has falsified the predictions of those men.

I am happy to say that during the last year or two the National Legislature has begun to realize its responsibilities in reference to Alaska;

We don't know the cost, but we know that it will be more than repaid ten times over by the result.

I do not believe that even you yourselves realize how great the future is that stretches before this country.

It is not open to you to say that you will or will not make that return as you choose.

Think of having a Sound with about fifteen hundred miles of possible dockage!

Seriously, let me thank you and the members of the Arctic Brotherhood for their greeting and their gifts.