The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1892-05-18

ress and destiny, stand still in the sky or fell
and expire like q transient exhalation? IL
seems not so TO me. / see it in the events of
these later days and in the swift approaching
achievements of the future, lowering In all its
splendor over the plains. the mountains and
the rivers Of the South aud OF the Southwest.
The march Of the empire is here; the wire OF
Christian civilization. of agricultural wealth,
OF diversified labor and human well-being aud
present happiness. The generations OF the
future will behold this march OF empire toward
the isthmus of Darien, not in columns of con-
quest or with sword in hand, but with knowl-
edge and science winning It's way aud scatter
ing the blessings Of liberty. peace and justice
as 10 moves on.
Already, in fact, the American empire is far
on its way in that direction. The acquisition
OF the republic of Texas was stride toward
Central America, the extent of which 10 10 diff
cult to realize. The majestic commonwealth
contains 265, 7s0 square miles OF territory. Who
shall attempt TO foreteli the influence and the
power Of such a commonwealth as this? There
are comfortable homes within its vast boun-
daries Tor a population of more than so 000, 600,
and when they are full, as some day they will
be, Mexico and countries further south will be
benefited and blessed and perhaps absorbed
by the swarming millions which will 20 forth
from America
Designed for Freedom.
North America, South America sad Central
hncAiOo "OAS NOeAkuCos W tuo uuEcpSuthDto
laws of their creation, to be helpful neighbors
to each other, and the day is not far distant
when reciprocity will be established between
them, genuine in all its parts, fair to every in
dustry. with no protected monopoles behind
IL; no bogus metal in its composition; no party
intrigue in its arrangements. Nor can we fail
to hold that the vital point in the western hem.
isphere for the common progress and the inGe-
l.. IL
that mighty ligature which has bound them
together since the morning star first took its
place in the sky. No power not American
can ever be permitted its control, nor can IL
much longer stand an unbroken barrier to the
navigation of the two oceans. The intercourse
of the American nations and peoples, the
commerce of the old world, the enter
prising spirit of the age in which
we live, will not much longer submit to
brave the tempests OF Cape Horn, or TO cross
through the narrow straits OF Magellan, in pass
ing from one ocean to the other The waters
OF the Atlantic and Pacific are too near each
other to be kept apart in this sublime of
science, invention and energy. 1t is true the
grand old Frenohman De Lesseps failed at
Panama, but il is also true that il was right for
him to fell. Ii is not given in the proviso of
history for any European to do this work and
such an attempt will never again be made. Ii
belongs to the Americans, with their stalwart
Saxon brother of the North at their head and
in chief control, to unite the two oceans and to
annihilate the distances and the dangers which
now interpOse between them. Those who be-
hold the opening day OF the twentieth century
will also behold the flag of the United States
carried on ships OF commerce across the
Isthmus, navigating the waters OF the canal now
under construction by the Nicaragua route.
This Is not question of foreign policy; it is q
question of American policy. and so far as d.
plomacy Is concerned 10 is q question to be set
| tied by American councils alone. The Monroe
doctrine. which was simply the reassertion of
the policy of Jefferson against European inter-
ference in American affairs, Is here involved,
and il will stand the test of craftsmanship aud
time.
The Modern Memphis.
And now, Mr. President, we will leave these
proud scenes of patriotic festiyity, and 20 our
several ways, many of to meet no more, but
there will remain here the wonder and sdmira-
tior Of the future generations the glorious
public work springing from private means and
enterprise which you have this day dedicated
to American advancement toward manifest
destiny. The travellers of the world for forty
centuries have gathered around the pyramids
OF Egypt and marveed at the useless, unmean-
ing toll which reared them; the antiquarian
has gazed upon the sphinx amidst the
sands OF the desert and conjectured in vain as
to its origin and purpose, but no such doubts
Of uncertainty will ever happen the Memphis
far in the future when here this left bank
of the American river will stand the
American city OF Memphis far greater than
the Memphis of Egypt as IL once stood on the
left bank of the Nile. In the Memphis of the
| Mississippi no places for kings will be erected.
no temples nor affairs for their worship; but
here will soeuuulate the wealth and all the
great agencies of civilization; here will con-
| tinue to come the strong business men Of .
| dominant governing ruce Here will arise a
center OF trade and here will concentrate the
commerce of the railroads and of the rivers Of
a continent; here will continue the temples OF
| Christian people for the worship of the living
| God: here will stand great seats of learning
| aud science, to refine. cultivate and illustrate
| the minds OF the generations coming on, and
| here will the American citizen, wherever his
| home may be, and for all time to come, find in
| the hearts of this people. the same spirit OF
fraternity, of union OF devotion to the flag, the
honor. and the glory of their country, that We
| have found today.