The record-union., 1895-12-28

tic groanings and grumblings of the
class of essayists and platform prophets
of i'll, who have been telling US so dill
gently that the social and national fab
ric is upon it's last legs, and that we
are about destined to fall apart as a
nation for lack of cohesive strength,
and all that. The threat of war has
opened the eyes of all these calamity
preachers TO the fact that the ma
tional heart is still sound, and that
when the time of stress comes on the
American people are unit for ma
tional existence, American institutions
and honor; for strong yet gentle gov
ernment; for vigorous yet just for
eign policy, for preparedness for as
sault or resistance. and yet for no de-
parture from the arts of peace.
1t has developed the fact that the
American people are resolved upon not
only the perpetuation of free institu-
tions. but are determined that no i'm
pediment shall be interposed to prevent
their spread over and maintenance in
every land upon this hemisphere, where
the people desire their planting.
So the cause of these developments
will assuredly do US good. They will
bring US closer together; they will more
cement the bonds of American frater-
nifty, and more educate the people in the
right direction concerning the constit-
uents of a true nation. The threat Of
war will serve another purpose, name
ly, to greatly inform the people, and es-
pecially the younger generation, upon
international law, the rights and obli-
cations of nations, and the relations
great Powers occupy towards each
other in times of peace and in time of
war. 1t will prove of incalculable serv-
ice also in cultivating a patriotic spirit
among young Americans, towards
whom socialists of the radical type,
anarchists, calamity screechers, ideal
ist reformers and others of that ilk
have been directing their attention with
view of converting young manhood
to the isms of new and vain schools Of
reform and improvement.
1t will serve likewise to impress very
deeply upon the youthful mind the ex-
ceeding narrowness of partisan pol
itics and to teach them that party is
merely means, and not an end in the
great scheme of the ages for the bet
terment of mans condition and the
striking off of the last remaining shack
lei, that confine progress and free gov
ernment.
In still another aspect the present
threat of war and the complication
that has developed our weakness in
arms discloses good for the country.
II is now conceded by even those who
have most bitterly opposed the idea in
the past that both army and navy
should be greatly strengthened, our
coast defenses multiplied and those we
now have much improved and enlarged;
that the preparation of reserve arms
"a lA4O OCSb ~ PC SAAOOio NC @OAloSi fO0
by manufacture and establishment
OF plants for their manufacture. Thus,
while the Government should never ex-
pend money simply for the sake Of ex-
penditure that someone may have work,
but only when there can by expendi-
ture be assured production of that
which the Government needs or will
early need, it may now with entire
justification expend one hundred or
more Of millions of dollars in the direc-
tions indicated. For such expenditure,
while it must of course be replaced by
revenue to be produced, will put a
large sum of money into circulation at
time needed, and that sooner or later
must be laid out for these defenses
and preparations, which are indeed con-
servators of peace and national honor.
However looked at we find good in
the present furry, and shall not wish
il to subside until the possibility for
exercise of its beneficence shall have
been wholly exhausted.