The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-06-01

oil the Isolated position OF our country,
fearless OF invasion and able To pur-
sue It's own peaceful destiny with no
selfish reference To the balance OF power.
We look with Pity akin 20 contempt on
the European nations which have stood
aloof watching each other instead of
making their united protest against bar
barlsm aud cruelty. True, we arc bound
To defend our own citizens whether mis-
sionaries, traders or business men in other
! lands and To exact indemnity for every
abuse. But we are seeking no strife with
other empires. We are not responsible for
their errors nor can we go forth ike the
knight OF La Mancha on deeds Of wild
and impracticable folly. Our brave soldiers
who have smelt powder are not tho men
TO use braggart words, or raise war cries,
as IL that were the best way of dealing
with other nations
Nothing 70 Gain From AnneXat on.
We do not care To extend our bound
aries beyond the limits Of the continent.
We have nothing TO gain from annexation
or increase of territory beyond our own
shores. We have no need Of congressman
from the West India islands or from tho
islands OF the Pacific With all due re-
spect TO that body we have enough of
them already. With our mother country
we desire peaceful relations. III we cannot
always admire her diplomacy. or feel
-
are bound by the highest motives to cult
vate relations of peace. We are in con-
ditlon to make 10 consistent with the
highest honor. We have proved it so, in
the case OF Venezuela. Our people are In
favor Of arbitration. IL was nOby exem-
plifiod at Geneva in 1872 IN the language
of the historian, John Fiske, The
memory of what was accomplished at
Geneva in 1872 is prouder memory than
Saratoga or Yorktown.
Ihe late treaty OF arbitration was only
defeated for want of "a two.thirds vote,
while three-tifths of our senator's voted
for IL, and those representing seven -eighths
of our population. Our president and
ex president unite in saying-one that it
is "A duty TO mankind, the other that il
bears the promise of transcendc MT good.
1t is the obligation of true patriotism,
a III one which the bravest Willingly ac-
ospt, to seek by arbitration the remedy
tor war.
Th: Duties of Citizens ip.
The memory of the past emphasizes the
obligation to fulfill the duties OF citizen
ship. The war Of "A generation ago, like
that Of the Revolution, brought up great
constitutional questions which needed TO
be settled, and could not be otherwise
than by calm thought and active partic-
patton In civil affairs The nature of
government has come out more clearly
The worth of our national unity, the value
OF our triple departments exercising a
proper restraint up1n each other, tho uuty
of caring for our veteran soldiers, Justice
III our civil service, all these and many
other things have called for Intelligent
cooperation. Common schools have ass
sumed u higher value in every part of our
land. The worth OF knowledge To tho
freedman and Co the white is keenly recog-
niZed. Our foreign population who took
such noble part with Us III our great
struggle are warmly attached To our in
stitutlons and us Trey helped 60 win our
freedom may Ice counted on to aid in
maintaining ii. Only we all need the
sense OF responsibility. We want men TO
value their vote and cast 10 inGepsnd-
emily. The Australian system is good but
how does IL apply TO men who will not
vote at allY
Twenty years ago DR. Lieber instituted
an inquiry into the proportion Of non
voters in our country among qualified
citizens. 1t was found that i'm Massachu-
setts, u state which boasts Of its intellect
ual progress, more than half the loyal
voters put no value on the citizens birth
right. l believe members of the Grand
Army of the Republic understand the OBJ
legation better.
Should FOn0r th, Ball I.
The memory Of this day should impress
his vote and cast IL in state or national or
municipal elections, rs his solemn duty.
When, in the year 1864, the second elcc-
ton of A braham Lincoln was pending,
fourteen states authorized their soldiers
In the field to cast their ballots They
rested on their arms for brief interval,
as some of you remember, while this
great paramount duty was fulfilled on
which so much depended. The victors In
our great conflict returned home to make
good citizens. An inquiry sent after the
war 10 the towns of this state brings an
swer In every case, that returning surviy-
ors OF the war came homo 20 be useful
citizens. They boro good character
when thoy went to the front and mani-
tested it ON their return. IT is for you
and your dosccudants, in memory Of the
noble men who lald down their lives, 90
recall that incident Of the war of 1854,
when tho armed soldier cast his ballot, no
mercenary lighting for "a cause without
heart ana brain in IL, but ,aluing tho
ballot even above the bayonct, that he
might secure the rights of freedom for
himself ana all that como after him.
Rhode Islands Noble Names.
Our little state has given r,any noble
names 20 Illustrate her fame and TO to
hcnnred nv the nation Burnside ana
Wheaton and Bliss, whose Eor ors coming
late crown life OF arduous sCryi.o-and
many another dear to YOU OF those who
laid down thetr lives rly in tto contest
Ballou and Nos and Prescott ana iod-
man and SnylcS aud Shaw and Sic, uW ard
Tower. Tho time would iail O cIl the
roll cf those VINO rendered distinguished
services while deeds OF val,r and sacrifice
were done by many who never resolved
Tire mcod of praise thcy ricnly deserved.
Thr incmoi les OF this day call upon you
md through YOU upon all VINO love their
country to ntaintnin tLo purity 90 tho
b4iiu', the iif anrial honor of tEo rutiur,
10 stand firni nRainst all schemes al sol-
isnnrss aud cufruI tiOn, 60 upnuld yirsue
ana Industry and la'y-abidlug manhood
amnDg oil our people.
lac ioXt l4ds you Take unto you tho
whole HrmUr uf God thnt yc may lc able
60 withstand IN tho evil day. D" AID we
arc remi gded that thcro arc evils and
dangers IN the present time. There is still
need oi the military spirit. npt 90 stir up
strife but 20 prevent 10. Conflicts between
wealth and poverty, between corporations